Inia Seruiratu

Inia Batikoto Seruiratu is a Fijian politician and member of the Parliament of Fiji for the FijiFirst party. He has been serving as the Opposition Leader since 29 March 2023.^[1] He served as the Minister for Rural, Maritime Development and Disaster Management from 2020 to 2022, and Minister for Defence, National Security and Policing from 2018 to 2022.^[2][3]

The Honourable Inia Seruiratu MP
Seruiratu in 2019
Leader of the Opposition
Incumbent
Assumed office 29 March 2023
Prime Minister	Sitiveni Rabuka
Preceded by	Frank Bainimarama
Minister for Rural, Maritime Development and Disaster Management
In office 16 April 2020 – 24 December 2022
Prime Minister	Frank Bainimarama
Succeeded by	Sakiasi Ditoka
Minister for Defence, National Security and Policing
In office 22 November 2018 – 24 December 2022
Prime Minister	Frank Bainimarama
Preceded by	Inoke Kubuabola
Succeeded by	Pio Tikoduadua
Minister for Foreign Affairs
In office 28 January 2019 – 16 April 2020
Preceded by	Frank Bainimarama
Succeeded by	Frank Bainimarama
Personal details
Spouse	Litea Vulakoro
Children	3
Military service
Allegiance	Fiji
Branch/service	Fijian Army
Years of service	1987–2014
Rank	Colonel

Seruiratu was first elected to Parliament at the 2014 Fijian general election and appointed Minister for Agriculture and Natural Disaster Management.^[4]

He was re-elected in 2018 with 1,251 votes,^[5] and appointed Minister of Defence and National Security.^[6] In January 2019 he was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs.^[7] In April 2020 the Foreign Affairs portfolio returned to Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, and Seruiratu was instead appointed Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Minister for Disaster Management.^[3]

On 29 March 2023, he was elected as the Leader of Opposition, replacing Frank Bainimarama.^[8]

On April 28, 2020, Seruiratu delivered a speech celebrating the first arrival of Fiji's recently commissioned RFNS Savenaca to its homeport of Walu Bay.^[9]

Following the collapse of FijiFirst, Seruiratu remained in parliament as an independent. As leader of the Group of 16 Bloc, the largest non-government grouping, he remained leader of the opposition.^[10]

References

1. "Seruiratu is the new Opposition Leader".
2. "Ministers | Office of the Prime Minister Fiji". Retrieved 5 June 2020.
3. Naveel Krishant (16 April 2020). "PM announces cabinet reshuffle, Faiyaz Koya sworn in as Minister for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport". Fiji Village. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
4. "Fiji's New Cabinet Ministers Were Sworn In Today At Government House". Fiji Sun. 24 September 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
5. "2018 General Elections Dashboard". Fiji Elections Office. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
6. Netani Rika (22 November 2018). "New faces in Fiji cabinet". Islands Business. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
7. "Inia Seruiratu Fiji's new foreign minister". RNZ. 29 January 2019. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
8. "Seruiratu elected Opposition Leader". Fijivillage. 29 March 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
9. Ritika Pratap (29 April 2020). "New vessel to assist border security". Fiji Broadcasting News. Retrieved 29 April 2020. Fiji has a vast ocean space and maritime security is a vital component of our national security priorities says Defence Minister Inia Seruiratu. However, Seruiratu says if left alone, our ability to effectively police and secure the immense sea space is limited. This was highlighted by the Minister while welcoming the new naval vessel RFNS Savenaca at the Naval base in Walu Bay yesterday.
10. Navitalai Naivalurua (5 August 2024). "Opposition splits in 2 - One led by Seruiratu, the other will be led by Naivalurua". Fiji Village. Retrieved 5 August 2024.