Prime Minister Peter O’Neill officially named caretaker ministers in his new Cabinet on Sunday, July 05.
He said Kandep MP and Leader of Triumphs Heritage Empowerment (THE) Party Don Polye will be taking care of Finance and Treasury, Correctional Services, Labour and Industrial Relations, Immigrations and Transport portfolios.
Mr O’Neill said leader of the National Alliance Party and Aitape –Lumi MP Patrick Pruaitch will be taking care of Housing and Urban Development, Provincial and Local Level Government and Forestry ministries while Hagen MP and leader of the United Resources Party William Duma will be taking care of Petroleum and Energy, Defence, Tourism, Art and Culture, Autonomy and Autonomous Regions portfolios.
PM O’Neill said Abau MP Sir Puka Temu will be looking after the ministerial portfolios of Public Service, Agriculture and Livestock and Foreign Affairs and Trade while Tari-Pori MP James Marabe will be taking care of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Education, Works and Implementation and Lands and Physical Planning portfolios.
He said Alotau MP Charles Abel will be responsible for Commerce and Industry, Small Medium Enterprises and Informal Sector, Justice and Attorney General and Communication and Information Technology.
Tewae-Siassi MP Mao Zeming will be responsible for Religion, Gender, Youth and Family Affairs, Health and HIV/AIDS and Fisheries and Marine Resources while Kavieng MP Ben Micah will be responsible for Public Enterprises and State Investments, Sport and 2015 Pacific Games and Mining portfolios.
Kompiam-Ambum MP and People’s Action Party member John Pundari will be responsible for Environment and Conservation, Climate Change and Civil Aviation.
Mr O’Neill said the MPs will be taking care of these Ministries until a full Cabinet is named on Wednesday (08/08/12).