First female politician passes on

By GYNNIE KERO
PIONEER female politician Nahau Rooney passed away on the eve of the country’s 45th Independence anniversary in Port Moresby .
She is believed to have died after suffering from a stroke.
The late Rooney was elected to Parliament in the first post-independence elections in 1977 and was also re-elected in 1982 as regional member for Manus province.
She was the first woman elected to the Papua New Guinean’s Parliament.
Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare described her as a “hardworking female Papua New Guinean” during his term as prime minister.
Rooney was minister for justice in 1979 when she was sentenced by the Supreme Court to eight months’ jail for interfering with the administration of justice.
Sir Michael gave a slight smile as he recalled how he assumed the justice portfolio and overturned the decision.
He said: “She was my first cabinet minister. Even though she was jailed I took her out of jail.
“She was a wonderful woman and she worked very hard for Papua New Guinea.
“I feel sorry for the Manus people especially her family. Manus has lost a great leader in Nahau.
“She performed very well as a woman .
“Rooney showed that women in Papua New Guinea can do something.
“My wife (Lady Veronica) and I know her personally.”
Another former prime minister, Sir Rabbie Namaliu, expressed condolences on Rooney’s passing, saying she contributed a lot to the country during the transition period and later as a member of parliament and first female cabinet minister.
Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae also expressed sadness over the news of her passing.
“It is with great sadness that I receive the news of the passing of Mrs Nahau Rooney on the eve of our 45th Independence Anniversary.
“As the first female politician of our country soon after our independence, Rooney demonstrated early on to the womenfolk that women too can become politicians and be involved in decision-making, a task that, in our society, traditionally performed by the men,” Sir Bob said.
“She held various ministerial portfolios during her political career.
“She was not one to hold back from freely expressing her opinion,” Sir Bob said.
“She set the benchmark for women at a time when women’s role in society was relegated to the home and not in decision-making for the nation as a politician and minister of state.
“To the people of Manus, Rooney demonstrated to the rest of the country the potential of what the women of Manus can achieve.”
Rooney was one of three women elected to the 109-member in the national parliament in 1977.
She was re-elected in 1982, becoming the only female member of parliament at that time.
Rooney was married to Wes Rooney, an Australian.
Her husband was later murdered (shot dead) on her home island of Manus.
In the 2000s, having retired from politics, she tapped into the hospitality business and was running a lodged and on the island of Manus.
She was also, president of the National Council of Women.
In 2004, Rooney stood unsuccessfully for the governor-general of the country.
In 2006, Rooney was honoured with the title of the Companion of the Order of the Star of Melanesia.