[1] In 1973 Qionibaravi left the public sector to become managing director of Naviti Investments.

[3] In the same year he contested the Suva East by-election as the Alliance Party candidate following the death of incumbent Edward Cakobau and was elected to the House of Representatives.

He was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in the 1979 Birthday Honours, and in 1981 was elected president of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and became a Pro Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific, a role he held until 1985.

[1][5] After being re-elected in 1982 elections from the Lomaiviti–Muanikau constituency, Qionibaravi was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism.

[8] Although he was re-elected in April 1987, the Alliance Party was defeated and he became an opposition MP until Parliament was dissolved following a military coup.