Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Peter O’Neill’s 2012-2017 Cabinet-Papua New Guinea



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:
  1.  Peter O’Neill (PNC) – 3rd Term; Ialibu-Pangia Open - Prime Minister 
  2. Leo Dion (THE) – 3rd Term; East New Britain Provincial - Deputy Prime Minister & Minister for Intergovernmental Relations 
  3. Don Polye (THE) – 3rd Term; Kandep Open - Minister for Treasury 
  4. James Marape (PNC) – 2nd Term ; Tari Open - Minister for Finance 
  5. Rimbink Pato (UP) – 1st Term; Wapenamanda Open - Minister for Foreign Affairs & Immigration 
  6. Charles Abel (PNC) – 2nd Term; Alotau Open - Minister for National Planning 
  7. Kerenga Kua (Independent) – 1st Term; Sinasina-Yongomugl Open - Minister for Justice & Attorney General 
  8. Dr Puka Temu (ODP) – 3rd Term; Abau Open - Minister for Public Service 
  9. William Duma (URP) – 3rd Term; Mt Hagen Open - Minister for Petroleum & Energy 
  10. Patrick Pruaitch (NA) – 3rd Term; Aitape-Lumi Open - Minister for Forestry & Climate Change 
  11. John Pundari (PP) – 4th Term; Kompiam-Ambum Open - Minister for the Environment & Conservation 
  12. Mao Zemming (PNC) – 4th Term; Tewai-Siassi Open - Minister for Fisheries & Marine Resources 
  13. Ben Micah (PPP) – 3rd Term; Kavieng Open - Minister for Public Enterprises & State Investment 
  14. Byron Chan (PPP) – 3rd Term; Namatanai Open - Minister for Mining 
  15. Jimmy Miringtoro (PNC) – 2nd Term; South Bougainville Open - Minister for Communication & Information Technology 
  16. Francis Awesa (PNC) – 2nd Term; Imbonggu Open - Minister for Works & Implementation 
  17. Ano Pala (PNC) – 2nd Term; Rigo Open - Minister for Transport 
  18. Benny Allan (PNC) – 3rd Term; Unggai-Bena Open - Minister for Lands & Physical Planning 
  19. Mark Maipaikai (THE) – 3rd Term; Kikori Open - Minister for Labour & Industrial Relations 
  20. Loujaya Toni (PIP) – 1st Term; Lae Open - Minister for Community Development, Religion & Family Affairs 
  21. Boka Kondra (PNC) – 2nd Term; North Fly Open - Minister for Tourism, Arts & Culture 
  22. Paru Aihi (PNC) – 2nd Term; Kairuku-Hiri Open - Minister for Education 
  23. Steven Kamma (URP) – 2nd Term; Central Bougainville Open - Minister for Bougainville Affairs 
  24. David Arore (THE) – 2nd Term; Ijivitari Open - Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science & Technology 
  25. Jim Simatab (NA) – 2nd Term; Wewak Open - Minister for Correctional Services 
  26. Dr Fabian Pok (URP) – 2nd Term; North Waghi Open - Minister for Defense 
  27. Micheal Malabag (PNC) – 1st Term; Moresby North West Open 
  28. Minister for Health & HIV AIDs 
  29. Richard Maru (Independent) – 1st Term; Yangoru-Saussia Open - Minister for Commerce, Trade & Industry 
  30. Davis Stephen (PP) – 1st Term; Esa’ala Open - Minister for Civil Aviation 
  31. Nixon Duban (PNC) – 1st Term; Madang Open - Minister for Police 
  32. Tommy Tomscoll (PDM) – 2nd Term; Middle Ramu Open - 
  33. Minister for Agriculture & Livestock 
  34. Paul Isikiel (PNC) – 1st Term; Markham Open 
  35. Minister for Housing & Urban Development 
  36. Justin Tkatchenko (SDP) – 1st Term; Moresby South Open - Minister for Sports & the Pacific Games 

Source: The Garamut (August 8, 2012)

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