Legislative Assembly Powers and Privileges Ordinance 1960 stipulate the continuation of the tenure of the Speaker Papalii Li’o Ta’eu Masipa’u and Deputy Speaker Auapa’au Aloitafua Mulipola even after the dissolution of parliament, says the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly of Samoa, Satama Uitime Tala.

“These provisions include salaries and other benefits covering their usage of government vehicles," said Satama on Thursday in a statement.

Satama said it has been widely publicised that this continuation is prohibited under the Public Finance Management Amendment Regulations 2024 and the Caretaker Government Convention 2025. 

“However, there is no authority on such convention or the regulation to disqualify the provisions of an act that currently continues to be in effect within Samoa,” Satama stated.

Satama claimed that the Samoa Observer published a letter from the Ministry of Finance on the issue.

“However, none of these factors can override the authority of the Legislative Assembly Powers and Privileges Ordinance 1960, which provides for the precise direction of this matter.”

“The provisions of the Legislative Assembly Powers and Privileges Ordinance 1960 passed by Parliament prevail over the Regulations and Convention in question.”

Meanwhile, the Minister of Finance, Lautimuia Uelese Vaa,i said the Ministry of Finance has been instructed to retrieve government vehicles held by the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker.

He said the Convention clearly stated that all government vehicles are to be returned upon the dissolution of parliament. He said they had been advised by the Office of the Attorney General.