14 Aug 2002

19 newcomers in PNG Cabinet

10:21 am on 14 August 2002

Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare has named a Cabinet that includes 19 first time Parliamentarians.

There are 28 Ministers with Sir Michael's National Alliance Party taking 11 of the positions.

The key appointments include Bart Philemon as Finance Minister, former Prime Minister Sir Rabbie Namaliu becomes Foreign Minister, while the Bougainville Affairs Minister in the previoous Government, Sir Moi Avei, is the Petroleum Minister.

Sam Akoitai, who had been a resistance leader on the island of Bougainville is the MInister of Mines.

One of the new MPs in the Cabinet is the former Secretary of Health, Puka Temu, who becomes the Minister of Public Service.

The Prime Minister has taken personal charge of the privatisation portfolio.