Apparently the full cabinet has been announced, with specific ministries delineated. All those who predicted William Duma's DPE demise were off base. Hey, predicting a coin toss is tough.
Now, we'll see if Duma has been brought to heel. It's PNG, so who knows?
VS
Peter O’Neill’s 2012-2017 Cabinet
After a brief wait, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has finally revealed his 33-Member National Executive Council (NEC) – or Cabinet.
The line up is heavily dominated by O’Neill’s winning People’s National Congress which boasts 13 Ministers. This is followed by Don Polye’s THE Party which has 4; William Duma’s United Resources Party has 3.
Patrick Pruaitch’s National Alliance, Sir Julius Chan’s People’s Progress Party, and Peter Ipatas’ People’s Party all have 2 ministers each; and Our Development Party, United Party, People’s Indigenous Party, People’s Democratic Movement, and Social Democratic Party are all represented by 1 ministerial post each.
Rounding up the 33 are 2 candidates who ran as Independents in PNG Election 2012 – Hon Richard Maru and Hon Kerenga Kua.
Of the 33, only one is a woman – Hon Loujaya Toni of Lae who will most likely take over Dame Carol Kidu’s old portfolio, Community Development.
In addition, it is interesting to note that of the 33, ten are first term MPs while twelve have served three terms or more in the Haus Tambaran. The remaining eleven are all in their second term.
Geographically, 10 are from the Highlands Region; 10 are from Southern; 8 are from Momase; and 5 are from New Guinea Islands. ‘Regionalism’ has again played a part in the decision-making of O’Neill and his coalition partners.
There are six party leaders in the 33, with three others – Sir Julius Chan (PPP), Paias Wingti (PDM) and Peter Ipatas (PP) – all opting to not push their claim for ministerial portfolios, but instead have nominated younger MPs to take their places.
Furthermore, there are two coalition partners who have totally missed out on a ministerial portfolio – both Anderson Agiru’s People’s United Assembly (PUA) and Ronny Knight’s New Generation Party, although having pulled in 3 MPs and 2 MPs respectively for O’Neill, have not received a portfolio.
In observing this, it is important to note that currently two of the three PUA MPs – Anderson Agiru and Ati Wobiro are Govenors, and the third, Member for Pomio – Paul Tiensten, will be a candidate to replace Hon Leo Dion as the new Governor of East New Britain – courtesy of Dion’s elevation to Deputy Prime Minister.
Here are the 33 – I’ve listed them very loosely in what I perceive to be the pecking order based on their experience, background and standing in their respective political parties:
-
Peter O’Neill (PNC) – 3rd Term; Ialibu-Pangia Open
- Prime Minister
-
Leo Dion (THE) – 3rd Term; East New Britain Provincial
- Deputy Prime Minister
-
Don Polye (THE) – 3rd Term; Kandep Open
- Minister for Treasury
-
Dr Puka Temu (ODP) – 3rd Term; Abau Open
- Minister for Public Service
-
William Duma (URP) – 3rd Term; Mt Hagen Open
- Minister for Petroleum & Energy
-
Patrick Pruaitch (NA) – 3rd Term; Aitape-Lumi Open
- Minister for Forestry & Climate Change
-
Charles Abel (PNC) – 2nd Term; Alotau Open
- Minister for National Planning
-
James Marape (PNC) – 2nd Term; Tari Open
- Minister for Finance
-
John Pundari (PP) – 4th Term; Kompiam-Ambum Open
- Minister for the Environment & Conservation
-
Mao Zemming (PNC) – 4th Term; Tewai-Siassi Open
- Minister for Fisheries
-
Ben Micah (PPP) – 3rd Term; Kavieng Open
- Minister for Public Enterprises
-
Rimbink Pato (UP) – 1st Term; Wapenamanda Open
- Minister for Foreign Affairs & Immigration
-
Byron Chan (PPP) – 3rd Term; Namatanai Open
- Minister for Mining
-
Jimmy Miringtoro (PNC) – 2nd Term; South Bougainville Open
- Minister for Communication & Information Technology
-
Francis Awesa (PNC) – 2nd Term; Imbonggu Open
- Minister for Works
-
Ano Pala (PNC) – 2nd Term; Rigo Open
- Minister for Transport
-
Benny Allan (PNC) – 3rd Term; Unggai-Bena Open
- Minister for Lands & Physical Planning
-
Mark Maipaikai (THE) – 3rd Term; Kikori Open
- Minister for Labour & Industrial Relations
-
Loujaya Toni (PIP) – 1st Term; Lae Open
- Minister for Community Development, Religion & Family Affairs
-
Boka Kondra (PNC) – 2nd Term; North Fly Open
- ?
-
Paru Aihi (PNC) – 2nd Term; Kairuku-Hiri Open
- Minister for Education
-
Steven Kamma (URP) – 2nd Term; Central Bougainville Open
- Minister for Bougainville Affairs
-
David Arore (THE) – 2nd Term; Ijivitari Open
- Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science & Technology
-
Jim Simatab (NA) – 2nd Term; Wewak Open
- Minister for Correctional Services
-
Dr Fabian Pok (URP) – 2nd Term; North Waghi Open
- Minister for Defense
-
Micheal Malabag (PNC) – 1st Term; Moresby North West Open
- Minister for Health & HIV Aids
-
Richard Maru (Independent) – 1st Term; Yangoru-Saussia Open
- Minister for Commerce, Trade & Industry
-
Kerenga Kua (Independent) – 1st Term; Sinasina-Yongomugl Open
- Minister for Justice & Attorney General
-
Davis Stephen (PP) – 1st Term; Esa’ala Open
- Minister for Civil Aviation
-
Nixon Duban (PNC) – 1st Term; Madang Open
- Minister for Police
-
Tommy Tomscoll (PDM) – 2nd Term; Middle Ramu Open
- Minister for Agriculture & Livestock
-
Paul Isikiel (PNC) – 1st Term; Markham Open
- Minister for Housing & Urban Development
-
Justin Tkatchenko (SDP) – 1st Term; Moresby South Open
- Minister for Sports
