Samoan MP hopes to make way for woman parliamentarian
Updated
Samoa's associate minister for commerce, industry and labour, Hans Joachim Keil, will not seek re-election when parliament dissolves in November.
After 23 years in parliament Mr Keil wants to encourage younger members of the community - particularly women - to run in his seat. There are four women in the current parliament but he feels there should be a more.
Mr Keil says that it is time for him to retire from public service.
Presenter: Geraldine Coutts
Speaker: Hans Joachim Keil, associate minister for commerce, industry and labour in Samoa's government
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KEIL: I've served five terms and that's 23 years. I feel it's time to move on and let some younger people come in to the political scene.
COUTTS: Will you play any part at all in public life in Samoa?
KEIL: Well I am involved in several businesses, so I'll still be around for a while I hope.
COUTTS: Now has the decision to retire after even a long term, as you say 23 years in politics, been brought forward in any way because of the unfortunate circumstances in the US where your diplomacy was called into question, passport confiscated and jail sentences were being threatened? Did that in any way influence your decision to retire?
KEIL: No none whatsoever. Because after the last election I felt well this would be my last term and I'd like to get the younger people a chance because you can remain a seat forever, and I'd just want to let other people have a chance in serving the country.
COUTTS: Well among those you're encouraging to take up the role in politics in Samoa are women. Why are you championing the cause of women in Samoa?
KEIL: They're wonderful people these women, we've got four women members of parliament at the moment, and three are cabinet ministers, and this is the most women members we've had ever since I can remember. And they play a vital role in our social structure, economy and even Samoa. And in fact I think most of them probably have or a little bit more than half of the government ministries are led by women. So I know they're very capable of doing a wonderful job.
COUTTS: Samoa is leading the field in women in politics and women in high office across the Pacific, it's a credit to the country. But why do you think there are so many women who are succeeding at this level, you say four in parliament at the moment, why are they doing so well?
KEIL: Well we've very open here in Samoa because in our society women can become matai or chiefs in the family, and so there's no restriction for them, and it's just equal playing field. So out of 49 seats in parliament and there's four held by women, I think they can do much better than that, a lot more than the present four.
COUTTS: Do you think that Samoa should introduce positive discrimination and have a certain amount of seats allocated to women in the 49 seat parliament?
KEIL: No I don't think so, we elect people here mostly by merit and I think that alone will bring the women forward. And I don't think the women would want that sort of thing. The women in Samoa they want to get into parliament on merit and not because the seats are allocated to them. That's my view, I haven't talked to the women here about it, but that's my view.
COUTTS: How many more women would you like to see in parliament?
KEIL: Twelve or more.
COUTTS: Do you think that's possible and do you think there are enough women who are interested to run for the political scene in Samoa?
KEIL: Well I don't know if there are that many women who are interested, but I know there are very capable women in our country. So there's no holding them back.
COUTTS: Have you got anyone that you are going to be a mentor?
KEIL: Well I did use Sina Lima as an example, and she's presently the member of the chamber of commerce, I've never spoken to her about politics, but I've sat in many meetings with her as my role as a cabinet minister, as an associate minister, and she's a very capable young person and very dynamic and these are the sort of qualities that we'd like more women members of parliament.
COUTTS: Mr Keil for the Pacific men and women who are listening now who are struggling to get a better representation of women in their parliaments, what would you say to them about that?
KEIL: Well just keep questioning their leaders as to when and also amongst themselves to run for parliament. They may not get in the first time but they have to prove themselves and the chances are there and I think most of the countries in the Pacific will allow that, or I know certainly in Samoa we do.
