68. Are elected officials required to submit reports regarding their finances?

(1) Every Leader must lodge an annual statement for the preceding year, specifying details of the Leader’s assets and liabilities.

(2) The annual statement for each year must be delivered to the Ombudsman: —

(a) within two (2) months of the day on which that person became a Leader (whether or not for the first time); or

(b) on or before the first day of June next occurring, whichever deadline is later.

(3) The annual statement must set out details of the assets and liabilities of:–

(a) the Leader; and

(b) any spouse or dependent child of the Leader (if known);

(c) any trust of which the Leader, or (if known) any spouse or child of the Leader, is a beneficiary.

(4) The details to be set out in the annual statement are: —

(a) all land and other property (except one family home and kaitasi land);

(b) all vehicles (except one family vehicle);

(c) all shares in companies (public or private);

(d) all income;

(e) all financial liabilities;

(f) all directorships in companies (public or private);

(g) all directorships or other offices held in unincorporated bodies;

(h) any assets acquired or disposed of during the period covered by the statement;

(i) any liabilities acquired or discharged during the period covered by the statement.

(5) The details must include assets inside and outside Tuvalu.

(6) However, an annual statement need not include: —

(a) any liabilities in respect of the family home; or

(b) the personal effects of the Leader, or of a spouse or child of the Leader.

Source: Article 33, Leadership Code Act 2006

(1) A Leader who: —

(a) has not filed an annual statement by the required deadline, or within fourteen (14) days after the Ombudsman has sent him or her a written notice reminding him or her to do so (whichever is later); or

(b) files a statement knowing that it is false or misleading in any relevant detail;

has breached this Code.

Source: Article 36, Leadership Code Act 2006

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