Atonio Lalabalavu

The Honourable Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu MP
Atonio Lalabalavu in 2023
Minister for Health and Medical Services
Incumbent
Assumed office 24 December 2022
Prime Minister	Sitiveni Rabuka
Preceded by	Ifereimi Waqainabete
Member of the Fijian Parliament for PA List
Incumbent
Assumed office 14 December 2022
Member of the Fijian Parliament for SODELPA List
In office 14 November 2018 – 14 December 2022
Personal details
Born	1978 or 1979 (age 45–46)[1]
Political party	Social Democratic Liberal Party People's Alliance

Ratu Atonio Rabici Lalabalavu (born 1978/1979) is a Fijian doctor, politician, and Cabinet Minister. He is a member of the People's Alliance. He is the son of Speaker of Parliament and Tui Cakau Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu.[1]

Lalabalavu was a doctor before entering politics.[1] He was first elected to the Parliament of Fiji as a SODELPA candidate in the 2018 Fijian general election, winning 5016 votes and being elected alongside his father.[1][2] He was appointed opposition health spokesperson,[3] and gave his initial speech as an MP on 29 November 2018.[4]

In November 2022 once parliament had been dissolved for the 2022 election he resigned from SODELPA and joined the People's Alliance.[5] He contested the election as a PA candidate[6] and was elected[7] with 2826 votes.[8] On 24 December 2022 he was appointed Minister for Health and Medical Services in the coalition government of Sitiveni Rabuka.[9]

References

1. Rosi Doviverata (18 November 2018). "Father And Son Team For Parliament". Fiji Sun. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
2. Apenisa Waqairadovu (28 November 2018). "Lalabalavu legacy in parliament is not dynasty politics at work or about a traditional leadership - Atonio Lalabalavu". Fiji Village. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
3. Fonua Talei (29 November 2018). "Opposition Releases Spokesperson List: Prasad's Left Out". Fiji Sun. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
4. Selita Bolanavanua (29 November 2018). "Dr Ratu Atonio: Politics Aside, We're Here For The Nation". Fiji Sun. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
5. Nacanieli Tuilevuka (1 November 2022). "Ratu Naiqama And Others Leaving Expected: Duru". Fiji Sun. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
6. Jone Salusalu (11 November 2022). "7 Women And 48 Men For The Peoples Alliance". Fiji Sun. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
7. Singh, Indira (18 December 2022). "Top 55 confirmed". FBC. Archived from the original on 18 December 2022. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
8. "Ratu Atonio Rabici Lalabalavu (491)". Fijian Elections Office. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
9. Apenisa Waqairadovu (24 December 2022). "Siromi Turaga sworn in as new AG". FBC News. Retrieved 24 December 2022.