The House of Assembly of Kiribati has a Speaker, a function adapted from the British Westminster model.
The position was established in 1979 by article 71 of the Constitution, when the country became independent from the United Kingdom.
He is fully entitled to regulate the conduct of business in all matters not provided in the Rules of Procedure.
He has the specific power to decide whether a bill or a motion pertains to money matters, which then requires a minister's signification.
"[2] Reuben Uatioa was the Vice-President of the Legislative council and leader of the government business.