19 May 2006

Public Sector Reform an ongoing process, says Tonga PM

1:58 pm on 19 May 2006

The Tongan Prime minister, Feleti Sevele says the lastest changes made in his government are part of its ongoing Public Sector Reform Programme.

Dr Sevele has appointed three new ministers and annouced a reshuffle in Ministerial portfolios.

The new appointments include Tonga's first ever female minister - Malia Viviena Numia Afeaki Taumoepeau who is now the new Attorney General and Minister for Justice.

The Prime Minister is on his first official visit to New Zealand and is due to meeting its Prime Minister, Helen Clark later this afternoon.

Dr Sevele says the sector reform programme started in 2002.

"And this is just an ongoing process - it started with the restructing of the civil service and to the ministries and now to the cabinet."

He has also announced that about a quarter of Tonga's civil service jobs will go.

Feleti Sevele says the new Department to look after Tongan's living outside the Kingdom is designed to halt its brain drain and will be operating soon.