Rumor: Duma has been replaced in cabinet reshuffle

[sageo]

If people will review what happened when O'Neill was elected, he originally had replaced Duma when he named his first cabinet. However, to have a more solid coalition, politicking got involved and O'Neill reversed his decision. It's taken this long to get to the point where this could be done.

Makes good sense Palm.    Thanks.

My thanks also,Palm.

[Palm]

"Cabinet reshuffle

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has announced a minor cabinet reshuffle that has seen the dumping of William Duma as Minister for Petroleum and David Arore as Higher Education Minister."

"PM: Decision based on performance, stability

Mr O’Neill said URP still remains part of the government and Mr Duma is still leader of the Party and any decision the party wants to take is up to the party as he has not sacked the Party but just the decommissioning of one minister."

[ArtM72]

If people will review what happened when O'Neill was elected, he originally had replaced Duma when he named his first cabinet. However, to have a more solid coalition, politicking got involved and O'Neill reversed his decision. It's taken this long to get to the point where this could be done.

I strongly suspect you're right Palm.  It may also have been O'Neil has become more acutely aware of the problems companies such as IOC have continued to have with Duma's permitting goal posts on wheels.  One could only wonder how many issues he was changing his mind on and for what reason du juor.  The most pressing example likely was where the LNG plant was going to be built, but that undoubtably was only one.  Methinks today is a good day.

[Libtardius Maximus]

I am wondering if the Duma departure, the OSH bond situation and their continued dry hole drilling program, Duma resisting XOM while O'Neill emphatically supported the lash up has anything to do with this.

I am sure we will hear from Duma in the next 24 hours.

[Palm]

O'Neill's patience timed out with Duma. Duma was in charge of getting a gas agreement together back in Nov 2012, and only could give excuses. It appears he smiled and acted publicly as if he supported IOC, but then his actions continue to be the opposite. "Performance" and "Stability" were given as reasons for the reshuffle; Duma delivered on neither.

Interesting that the Post Courier calls this a "minor" reshuffle when DPE is today such a big piece of what is going on. Then O'Neill's comment that it is up to URP to "take up" a decision. Could mean that for URP to stay in the graces of the coalition, they may have to consider a new party leader. If that's what it means, there could be more to this story.

[jdeo1969]

Given all the things in the past, I don;t see this as anything but positive for IOC and shareholders. A lot has come down the pike here recently in terms of reports, rumors etc. Macquarie talking about Woodside, OSH apparently in talks about joining the project, the Teck/Chandler buyout blurb. The deal with Total has seemingly brought a lot of attention to IOC's discoveries.

[Brew Swillis]

O'Neill's patience timed out with Duma. Duma was in charge of getting a gas agreement together back in Nov 2012, and only could give excuses. It appears he smiled and acted publicly as if he supported IOC, but then his actions continue to be the opposite. "Performance" and "Stability" were given as reasons for the reshuffle; Duma delivered on neither. Interesting that the Post Courier calls this a "minor" reshuffle when DPE is today such a big piece of what is going on. Then O'Neill's comment that it is up to URP to "take up" a decision. Could mean that for URP to stay in the graces of the coalition, they may have to consider a new party leader. If that's what it means, there could be more to this story.

Duma was a team player in front of the cameras but regularly made conflicting and contentious public remarks off-camera. It was clear he was retained for political reasons alone, I will he having a stiff, celebratory margarita on the rocks tonight. Make that three.

[jft310]

Here on St Martin we had 3 a piece..

[Spartina]

St Martin would be a very nice place to be during a blockbuster deal announcement

[jft310]

The island rumor is Duma tried to overthrow ONeil and was thrown out.

spartina yes we party hardy!!!