Nahau Rooney
Encyclopedia
Nahau Rooney is a former Papua New Guinea
n politician.
She was one of three women elected to the 109-member National Parliament of Papua New Guinea
during the country's first post-independence general election
, in 1977. She was re-elected
in 1982, becoming the only female Member of Parliament at that time, but was never subsequently returned to Parliament. She represented the Manus Regional constituency in Manus Province
. She was still an active politician in the 1990s, standing unsuccessfully for Parliament in the 1997 general election.
Following her election to Parliament in 1977, Rooney served as Minister of Justice in Prime Minister Michael Somare
's Cabinet. In 1979, during her term as Minister, she wrote to director of Public Prosecutions Kevin Egan, "urging intervention" in reaction to politician and businessman John Kaputin being charged with failing to file company returns. As a result, Egan had her sentenced to a nine month jail term for contempt. She was immediately released on licence by Somare. She later served as Civil Aviation Minister.
Rooney was married to Wes Rooney, an Australian who was later murdered (shot dead) on her home island of Manus
.
In the 2000s, having mostly retired from politics, she was running a guest lodge on Manus Island. She was also, however, President of the National Council of Women, and, in 2004, stood unsuccessfully for the position of Governor General.
In 2006, she was honoured with the title Companion of the Order of the Star of Melanesia.
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands...
n politician.
She was one of three women elected to the 109-member National Parliament of Papua New Guinea
National Parliament of Papua New Guinea
The National Parliament of Papua New Guinea is the unicameral national legislature in Papua New Guinea. It was first created in 1964 as the House of Assembly of Papua and New Guinea, but gained its current name with the granting of independence in 1975....
during the country's first post-independence general election
Papua New Guinean general election, 1977
General elections were held in Papua New Guinea between 18 June and 9 July 1977. They were the first election since independence from Australia in 1975. The result was a victory for the Pangu Party, which won 40 of the 109 seats. Voter turnout was 60.3%....
, in 1977. She was re-elected
Papua New Guinean general election, 1982
General elections were held in Papua New Guinea between 5 and 6 June 1982. The result was a victory for the Pangu Party, which won 61 of the 109 seats. Voter turnout was 52.0%....
in 1982, becoming the only female Member of Parliament at that time, but was never subsequently returned to Parliament. She represented the Manus Regional constituency in Manus Province
Manus Province
Manus Province is the smallest province in Papua New Guinea with a land area of 2,100 km², but with more than 220,000 km² of water. The capital of the province is Lorengau and the total population is 43,387 ....
. She was still an active politician in the 1990s, standing unsuccessfully for Parliament in the 1997 general election.
Following her election to Parliament in 1977, Rooney served as Minister of Justice in Prime Minister Michael Somare
Michael Somare
Sir Michael Thomas Somare, GCL, GCMG, CH, CF, KStJ, MP was Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea from 2002 to 2011; he had previously been Prime Minister from independence in 1975 until 1980 and again from 1982 until 1985. Somare's first two terms were as a member of the Pangu Party, but he then...
's Cabinet. In 1979, during her term as Minister, she wrote to director of Public Prosecutions Kevin Egan, "urging intervention" in reaction to politician and businessman John Kaputin being charged with failing to file company returns. As a result, Egan had her sentenced to a nine month jail term for contempt. She was immediately released on licence by Somare. She later served as Civil Aviation Minister.
Rooney was married to Wes Rooney, an Australian who was later murdered (shot dead) on her home island of Manus
Manus Island
Manus Island is part of Manus Province in northern Papua New Guinea and is the largest island of the Admiralty Islands. It is the fifth largest island in Papua New Guinea with an area of 2,100 km², measuring around 100 km × 30 km. According to the 2000 census, Manus Island had a...
.
In the 2000s, having mostly retired from politics, she was running a guest lodge on Manus Island. She was also, however, President of the National Council of Women, and, in 2004, stood unsuccessfully for the position of Governor General.
In 2006, she was honoured with the title Companion of the Order of the Star of Melanesia.