8 Dec 2010

Sacked Solomon Islands forestry minister to get a new ministerial role

11:33 am on 8 December 2010

The sacked Solomon Islands forestry minister Bodo Dettke looks set to take on a new ministerial position following a reconciliation ceremony with the Prime Minister yesterday.

That comes after reports five other ministers were calling for his reinstatement following his sacking last week.

Jo O'Brien reports

"A spokesperson for Prime Minister Danny Philip has confirmed a reconciliation ceremony took place with Bodo Dettke yesterday. The Melanesian ceremony reportedly involved the exchange of shell money between Mr Philip, Mr Dettke, and several caucus members in the cabinet room. The Prime Minister's Press Secretary Alfred Sasako says Danny Philip and Mr Dettke have now resolved their differences, but he will not be reinstated as forestry minister. He says Mr Dettke has instead accepted a new portfolio, which is expected to be fisheries, a position left vacant after former fisheries minister, Jimmy Lusibaea was convicted of assault charges. Alfred Sasako says the sacking was sparked by Bodo Dettke's decision to seize a logging ship, but Mr Dettke has previously stated Malaysian logging interests were behind it. A new forestry minister is expected to be sworn in this afternoon."