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Governor General (Pensions and Benefit) Act 2007

SOLOMON ISLANDS

THE GOVERNORS-GENERAL (PENSIONS AND BENEFITS) ACT 2007
(NO. 2 OF 2007)

Passed by the National Parliament this twenty-first day of February 2007.

This printed impression has been carefully compared by me with the bill passed by Parliament and found by me to be a true and correct copy of the said Bill.

Taeasi Sanga (Mrs)
Clerk to National Parliament

Assented to in Her Majesty's name and on Her Majesty's behalf this seventh day of March 2007.

Sir Nathaniel Rahumaea Waena
Governor-General

Date of commencement: date of publication in the Gazette.

AN ACT TO PROVIDE PENSIONS AND OTHER BENEFITS FOR PERSONS WHO CEASE TO HOLD THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR-GENERAL AND FOR THEIR WIDOWS AND CHILDREN AND TO PROVIDE FOR MATTERS INCIDENTAL TO THE FOREGOING OR CONNECTED THEREWITH.

ENACTED by the National Parliament of Solomon Islands

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ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

Sections:

1. SHORT TITLE AND COMMENCEMENT
2. INTERPRETATION
3. GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S RIGHT TO PENSION, ETC.
4. RIGHT TO PENSION TO CEASE
5. RATE OF PENSION
6. WIDOWS PENSION
7. SOURCES AND METHOD OF PAYMENT OF PENSION
8. PROTECTION OF PENSION
9. TERMINAL GRANT OR EX-GRATIA PAYMENT
10. OFFICIAL RESIDENCE
11. OFFICIAL VEHICLE
12. MEDICAL TREATMENT
13. NATIONAL REPRESENTATION.

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Short title Commencement

1. This Act may be cited as the Governors-General (Pensions and Benefits) Act 2007, and shall come into operation on such date as the Minister may appoint by notice published in the Gazette

Interpretation

2. In this Act "Governor-General" means any person who has held the post of Governor-General for a period of not less than one year, having been duly appointed by the Head of State pursuant to the provisions of section 27 of the Constitution, but does not include a person who has been removed from the office under subsection (3) of the section.

Governor-General's right to pension, etc

3. Every person who having held the office of Governor-General on or after the 7th day of July, 1978, ceases at any time after such appointment to be Governor-General shall be paid a pension under this Act with effect from the date on which he ceases to be Governor-General and subject to section 4 such pension shall continue to be paid during the lifetime of that person.

Right to Pension to cease

4. Where a Governor-General to whom a pension is payable is appointed to any other public office, the pension shall cease to be payable during the period in which such person holds such public office.

Rate of Pension

5. A Governor-General's pension shall be at an annual rate of sixty per cent of the current salary payable to the incumbent.

Widows Pension

6. (1) Where a person dies while he is the Governor-General or while he is entitled to receive a Governor-General's pension leaves-

(a) a widow but no entitled child; or

(b) a widow and entitled children by such widow only; the widow shall, be paid a pension at an annual rate of 40% of the pension receivable by the pensioner at the time of his death.

(2) A widow mentioned in subsection (1) shall not be entitled to receive a pension under this section, if she remarries.

(3) If the Minister is satisfied that the widow of a Governor-General while receiving a pension under this section, deserted or abandoned, or failed to maintain or assist in maintaining so far as her means allow an entitled child whom she is bound to maintain, the Minister may cause to be paid to such child, until such child ceases to be an entitled child, such portion of the pension of the widow.

Sources and method of payment of pension

7. Any pension payable under this Act -

(a) shall be charged on and paid out of the Consolidated Fund; and

(b) shall be paid fortnightly

Protection of Pension

8. Any pension payable under this Act shall not -

(a) be assignable or transferable except for the purpose of satisfying a debt due to the government or an order of any court for the payment of periodical, sums of money awards the maintenance of the spouse, and a child being a minor of the person to whom the pension is payable; or

(b) be liable to be attached, sequestered or levied upon for or in respect of any debt or claim whatever except a debt due to the government or any sum recoverable pursuant to such order of any court as is mentioned in paragraph (a).

Terminal grant or ex-gratia payment

9. (1) A Governor-General who ceases or has ceased to hold office shall be paid a terminal grant or ex-gratia payment of $75,000.00 or such greater sum, equivalent to and payable to a Prime Minister under the current Parliamentary Entitlements Commission Regulations for each term of office he has served.

(2) The spouse of a Governor-General shall also be qualified to receive an ex-gratia payment received by the Governor-General pursuant to subsection (l).

Official residence

10. A Governor-General on retirement shall be provided with an official residence free of rent and the cost of water, gas and electricity shall be paid for by the Government.

Official vehicle

11. A Governor-General on retirement shall be provided with an official vehicle for use in connection with his normal duties.

Medical treatment

12. A Governor-General on retirement shall be entitled to medical treatment as prescribed from time to time for public officers.

National representation

13. Where a Governor-General whilst on retirement is assigned to undertake any assignment on behalf of Solomon Islands, he shall be entitled to receive protocols, courtesies and benefits, as may be appropriate.

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