Governor-General of the Solomon Islands : Ask Biography

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The Governor-General of Solomon Islands is the representative of the Queen of Solomon Islands, Elizabeth II. The Queen does not reside in the islands, and so the Governor-General serves as the country's de facto head of state in her absence.

Solomon Islands is a Commonwealth realm which has retained the monarchy of the nation's former colonial power, the United Kingdom, as its own distinct monarchy. The Governors-General of most other Commonwealth realms are appointed on the advice of the Prime Minister of each realm. However, in Solomon Islands, the Governor-General is appointed by the monarch on the advice of the National Parliament to a five-year term. In practice, this means that the Governor-General is elected by the parliament.

Though the office holds considerable reserve powers, it is largely a symbolic figurehead position with little day-to-day involvement in government.

The current Governor-General is Frank Kabui, a former High Court judge, who was elected on 15 June 2009 after four rounds of voting. Mr Kabui polled 30 votes, Edmund Andresen eight votes and the outgoing Governor General, Sir Nathaniel Waena seven votes. His term will end on 7 July 2014.

Prior to the country's independence and the establishment of this office, the islands were governed by a Governor and the Executive Council.