Lefau Harry Schuster (also known as Faualo Harry Schuster) is a Samoan politician and Cabinet Minister. He is a member of the FAST Party and was a founding member of the Tautua Samoa Party.[2][3] He is the cousin of fellow FAST MP Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster.[4]
Lefau Harry Schuster | |
|---|---|
 Schuster in 2022 | |
| Minister of Police and Prisons | |
| Assumed office 24 May 2021[a] | |
| Prime Minister | Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa |
| Preceded by | Tialavea Tionisio Hunt |
| Member of the Samoan Parliament | |
| Assumed office 9 April 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Faaolesa Katopau Ainuu[1] |
| Constituency | Vaimauga No. 4 |
| In office 4 March 2011 – 4 March 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Anauli Pofitu Fesili |
| Succeeded by | Faaolesa Katopau Ainuu |
| Constituency | Vaimauga West |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (since 2020) |
| Other political affiliations | Tautua Samoa (until 2020) |
Early life
editSchuster was educated at St Joseph’s College in Samoa and St Paul's College, Auckland before studying law at Victoria University of Wellington.[2] He worked for the New Zealand Ministry of Education before returning to Samoa to work in the Attorney General’s office. After time in private practice, he was appointed as a District Court Judge in 2000[5] before resigning in 2010 to enter politics.[6] He has also served as president of the Federation of Oceania Rugby Unions.[7]
In September 2018 he was awarded the Faualo title by his village.[8]
Political career
editSchuster was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Samoa at the 2011 Samoan general election, as a candidate for Tautua.[4] He lost his seat at the 2016 election.[9]
In July 2020 Schuster criticised new electoral laws limiting candidate eligibility as unfair and discriminatory.[10] In October 2020 Schuster announced he would stand as a candidate for the F.A.S.T. Party in the 2021 election.[2] He was elected in the Vaimauga no. 4 constituency.[11] On 24 May 2021 he was appointed Minister of Police and Prisons in the elected cabinet of Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa.[12] The appointment was disputed by the caretaker government. On 23 July 2021 the Court of Appeal ruled that the swearing-in ceremony was constitutional and binding, and that FAST had been the government since 24 May.[13]
In his role as Minister in charge of the Electoral Commission Schuster advocated for electoral reform, including the repeal of "arbitrary" restrictions on candidacy and on MPs changing parties.[14] As Police Minister he was critical of the impact of the Land and Titles Bill, claiming that it had led to village councils abusing their authority to violate human rights.[15]
Notes
editReferences
edit- ^ Seia Lavilavi Soloi (13 April 2021). "Five Cabinet Minister lose seats after polls". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
- ^ a b c Joyetter Feagaimaali'i (23 October 2020). "Lefau Harry Schuster joins F.A.S.T." Samoa Observer. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
- ^ "First FAST Cabinet Down to Work – When the Impossible Happens". Talamua Online. 29 July 2021. Archived from the original on 31 July 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
- ^ a b "NEW FACE IN SAMOA PARLIAMENT HOPES FOR CHANGE". Pacific Islands Report. 8 March 2011. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
- ^ "Samoa appoints new judge". RNZ. 22 December 2006. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
- ^ "District court judge in Samoa will run as a candidate in next year's election". RNZ. 5 October 2010. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
- ^ "Lefau warns IRB against "shambles"". Samoa Observer. 12 January 2011. Archived from the original on 19 March 2012. Retrieved 5 March 2011.
- ^ Deidre Tautua-Fanene (30 September 2018). "Lefau Harry Schuster gets Faualo title". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
- ^ "HRPP 44, Tautua Samoa 2". Talanei. 4 March 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
- ^ Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong (21 July 2020). "Former Judge and M.P. slams Electoral laws". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
- ^ "FAST Candidates Displace 4 Ministers and Deputy Speaker". Samoa Global News. 9 April 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
- ^ Marieta H Ilalio (25 May 2021). "Fiame Sworn in as Prime Minister under Marquees on Parliament Grounds". Samoa Global News. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
- ^ Lanuola Tusani Tupufia - Ah Tong (23 July 2021). "F.A.S.T. declared new Government as appeal upheld". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
- ^ Joyetter Feagaimaali'i (28 July 2021). "Minister zeroes in on electoral reform". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
- ^ Joyetter Feagaimaali'i (3 September 2021). "Chiefs' new powers being abused: Minister". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
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