17 Mar 2020

Samoa looks at adding 2 more Cabinet ministers from 2021

3:45 pm on 17 March 2020

Samoa could have two additional Cabinet ministers after the 2021 general election.

Samoa's parliament

Samoa's parliament Photo: RNZ Pacific /Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi told Parliament because there was an increase in workload for Cabinet Ministers, there was now a need to increase their numbers to 15.

Tuilaepa spoke on a bill tabled in Parliament seeking approval for the constitutional changes.

The changes also include the separation of the Land and Titles Court from the current Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration.

"This will create a new ministry and separate Land and Titles Court from the criminal courts with its own administration," said Tuilaepa.

The constitutional changes requires a two thirds majority to pass through Parliament and the ruling Human Rights Protection Party has the numbers.

The bill is expected to go through the third reading later today.