4 Dec 2010

New look government for Vanuatu

10:23 am on 4 December 2010

More details are emerging about the new Vanuatu government following the ousting of Prime Minister Edward Natapei late on Thursday.

The parliamentary vote of no-confidence in Mr Natapei came just hours after he left Port Vila for the United Nations climate change talks in Cancun, Mexico.

He has been replaced as Prime Minister by Sato Kilman who was his deputy.

Mr Natapei's Public Relations Officer George Darimanu says there are a lot of new faces in the cabinet:

"Moana Carcasses, who was Minister for Internal Affairs, is now Minister of Finance; a new Minister for Internal Affairs who is from Tanna, Willie Lob; a new Minister for Public Works, Harry Iauko; Maxime Carlot Korman who used to be the leader of the opposition is now Speaker of Parliament; and Ham Lini who used to be deputy leader of the opposition is now deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade."

Meanwhile, the previous Speaker, George Wells, has been appointed Foreign Minister.