Lynda Diseru Tabuya (born 1972) is a

Fiji Fiji, officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies about north-northeast of New Zealand. Fiji consists of an archipelago of more than 330 islands—of which about ...

an politician and lawyer who has served as the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation from 24 December 2022 to 26 December 2024.

Early life

Tabuya grew up in Wakanisila in

Kadavu Province Kadavu Province () is one of fourteen provinces of Fiji, and forms part of the Eastern Division, which also includes the provinces of Lau, Lomaiviti and Rotuma. Kadavu also belongs to the Burebasaga Confederacy, a hierarchy of chiefs from so ...

and is iTaukei. She was educated at Yat Sen Primary School and Adi Cakobau School, before gaining a Bachelor of Laws from

Bond University Bond University is Australia's first private university, private not-for-profit university and is located in Robina, Queensland, Robina on the Gold Coast, Queensland. Since its opening on 15 May 1989, Bond University has primarily been a teachi ...

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...

and a Master of Laws from

Washington University in St. Louis Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) is a private research university in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. Founded in 1853 by a group of civic leaders and named for George Washington, the university spans 355 acres across its Danforth ...

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

. She worked at the

University of the South Pacific The University of the South Pacific (USP) is a public research university with locations spread throughout a dozen countries in Oceania. Established in 1968, the university is organised as an intergovernmental organisation and is owned by the gov ...

as an assistant lecturer in law. She resigned from her role after being elected branch secretary for the People's Democratic Party's Suva branch. Tabuya was Miss Hibiscus 1996.

Political career

In May 2014 Tabuya was elected president of the PDP. She contested the

2014 elections * 2014 United Nations Security Council election 16 October 2014 Africa * 2014 Algerian presidential election 17 April 2014 * 2014 Botswana general election 24 October 2014 * 2014 Comorian presidential election 21 February and 10 April 2014 * 2014 ...

as a PDP candidate, but was unsuccessful as the party failed to meet the 5% threshold. In March 2017 she was elected party leader, replacing Adi Sivia Qoro. In December 2017 the PDP announced an alliance with the

Social Democratic Liberal Party The Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) is a Fijian political party. The party was formed in January 2013 after the dissolution of the Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua. History Party foundation In January 2013 Fiji's military regime p ...

(SODELPA) to run candidates on their list in the 2018 parliamentary election. Tabuya became a SODELPA candidate and subsequently resigned from the PDP. During the election campaign she campaigned for a higher

minimum wage A minimum wage is the lowest remuneration that employers can legally pay their employees—the price floor below which employees may not sell their labor. List of countries by minimum wage, Most countries had introduced minimum wage legislation b ...

and promised to be a "voice for employees" in parliament. She also represented SODELPA leader

Sitiveni Rabuka Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka (; born 13 September 1948) is a Fijian politician, sportsman, and former soldier who has been serving as Prime Minister of Fiji since 24 December 2022. He was the instigator of two military coups in 1987. He was de ...

in his electoral fraud trial. In the 2018 elections she was the highest-polling woman and 5th highest overall candidate. She gave her first speech to parliament on 30 November 2018. In March 2020 she was arrested and charged with breaching the Public Order Act over social media comments about the government's Covid-19 response. She was acquitted of the charges in August 2020. On 25 July 2021 she was arrested by Fijian police after criticising government moves to amend land legislation. On 7 January 2022, Tabuya announced she had tendered her resignation from SODELPA and would be joining the People's Alliance Party (PAP) - the party led by former Fijian Prime Minister,

. In May 2022 she was appointed deputy leader of the PA, alongside Daniel Lobhendahn and Manoa Kamikamica. She was selected as a PA candidate in the

2022 Fijian general election General elections were held in Fiji on 14 December 2022 to elect the 55 members of Parliament. The elections took place following the passage of controversial electoral amendments. In addition to a struggling economy, significant campaign issu ...

. During the election campaign she was arrested by the

Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) is the country's mandated law enforcement agency to investigate and prosecute public sector corruption, as well as educate society on understanding and reporting corruption. It was establ ...

after allegedly soliciting prize money for a "rock the vote" event. She was elected to Parliament, winning 11965 votes. On 24 December 2022 she was appointed Minister for Women, Children, and Poverty Alleviation in the coalition government of

. In August 2024 Tabuya suggested restoring the death penalty to combat drug trafficking.In December 2024, she tried banning sugary foods in schools On 26 December 2024 she was removed as Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation after a nude video of her was leaked online. She was replaced by her assistant minister,

Sashi Kiran Sashi Kiran is a Fijian politician of the National Federation Party. A member of the Parliament of Fiji, she is the current Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection. Biography She is the Founder and former Chief Executive officer com ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tabuya, Lynda Living people 1972 births I-Taukei Fijian people Bond University alumni Washington University School of Law alumni Academic staff of the University of the South Pacific Politicians from Kadavu Province 21st-century Fijian women politicians 21st-century Fijian politicians People's Democratic Party (Fiji) politicians Social Democratic Liberal Party politicians People's Alliance (Fiji) politicians Members of the Parliament of Fiji Women's ministers of Fiji Women government ministers of Fiji