The Right Honourable Sir Tomu Malaefone Sione GCMG OBE |
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4th Governor-General of Tuvalu | |
In office 1 December 1993 – 21 June 1994 |
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Monarch | Elizabeth II |
Prime Minister |
Bikenibeu Paeniu Kamuta Latasi |
Preceded by | Sir Toaripi Lauti |
Succeeded by | Sir Tulaga Manuella |
5th Speaker of the Parliament of Tuvalu | |
In office 1998–2002 |
|
Prime Minister |
Bikenibeu Paeniu Ionatana Ionatana Lagitupu Tuilimu Faimalaga Luka Koloa Talake |
Preceded by | Tomasi Puapua |
Succeeded by | Saloa Tauia |
Personal details | |
Born | 17 November 1941 |
Sir Tomu Malaefone Sione GCMG OBE (born 17 November 1941) is a political figure from the Pacific nation of Tuvalu. He worked as a journalist from 1962–68. He is the head of the southern Niutao clan. He is married to Segali.
Tomu Sione was first elected to represent the constituency of Niutao in the House of Representatives of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony in the general election of 1971. He was re-elected in the general election of 1974. Following the separation of Tuvalu from Kiribati he served in the House of Assembly of the Colony of Tuvalu. From 1975 to 1978 he was the minister for commerce and natural resources in the cabinet of the Chief Minister Toalipi Lauti.
Following independence Tomu Sione was elected to represent the constituency of Niutao in the Parliament of Tuvalu in the elections held on 27 August 1977.
Sione served as Governor-General of Tuvalu from 1993–1994, as the representative of HM Queen Elizabeth II, who is Tuvalu's head of state.
Somewhat unusually for a former Governor-General, after standing down from this office, Sione later stood again for parliament. He was elected by the constituency of Niutao and served as Speaker of the Parliament from 1998 to 2002.
He was created GCMG in 2001.