National Executive Council of Papua New Guinea
- James Marape, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea/Chairman
- Sam Basil, Deputy Prime Minister
- Ivan Pomaleu[1], Secretary of the NEC
- Constitution of Papua New Guinea
- Prime Minister and National Executive Council Act 2002[2]
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The Crown
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The National Executive Council (NEC), also known as the Cabinet of Papua New Guinea functions as the policy and decision-making body of the executive branch within the government system of Papua New Guinea. The Prime Minister and Ministers serve as members of the Cabinet.[3]
NEC building
Sir Manasupe Haus (House) is the building that hosts the Department of the Prime Minister and the National Executive Council. Formerly known as Marea House, fondly referred to as the "Pineapple Building" due to its shape, it is named after Sir Manasupe Zurenuoc, a former Chief Secretary of PNG. It was renamed and reopened on 27 January 2016 after being closed for renovations funded by Oil Search.[4]
Functions
All executive power in the government is vested in the National Executive Council, which comprises all Ministers of the Crown. Unlike Australia, whose has a two-tier level of government between the Cabinet for political decision and the Federal Executive Council for purely formal decisions, the NEC is patterned along the precedent of the former as it makes policy decisions. The total number of Ministers comprising the National Executive Council is never to be less than a quarter of the National Parliament.[5]
There is a Secretary to the National Executive Council, who is responsible to the Prime Minister and is charge of the council Secretariat.[6] In addition, a Senior Minister position exists on an ad hoc basis.
Current Cabinet
Portfolio | Minister | Minister's party | Since |
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| James Marape | Pangu Party | 20 December 2020 |
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| John Rosso | Pangu Party | |
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| Jimmy Maladina | Pangu Pati | |
| Peter Tsiamalili | ||
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2020 cabinet
Prime Minister James Marape added nine new ministers to his cabinet on 20 December 2020.[7]
Portfolio | Minister | Minister's party | Since |
---|---|---|---|
| James Marape | Pangu Party | 20 December 2020 |
| Sam Basil | United Labour Party | 20 December 2020 |
| Bryan Jared Kramer | Allegiance Party | 20 December 2020 |
| Ian Ling-Stuckey | National Alliance Party | 20 December 2020 |
| Soroi Eoe | Pangu Party | 20 December 2020 |
| Sir John Pundari | Liberal | 20 December 2020 |
| Jimmy Uguro | Pangu Party | 20 December 2020 |
| Sekie Agisa | Pangu Party | 20 December 2020 |
| Timothy Masiu | National Alliance Party | 20 December 2020 |
| Wake Goi | People's Party | 20 December 2020 |
| Win Daki | Pangu Party | 20 December 2020 |
| Solan Mirisim | Pangu Party | 20 December 2020 |
| Wera Mori | Pangu Party | 20 December 2020 |
| Dr Lino Tom | People's Party | 20 December 2020 |
| Jelta Wong | United Resources Party | 20 December 2020 |
| Wesley Raminai | 20 December 2020 | |
| Justin Tkatchenko | Social Democratic Party | 20 December 2020 |
| Westly Nukundj | Independent | 20 December 2020 |
| Pila Niningi | People's National Congress | 20 December 2020 |
| Tomait Kapili | United Resources Party | 20 December 2020 |
| John Simon | Pangu Party | 20 December 2020 |
| John Rosso | Pangu Party | 20 December 2020 |
| Kerenga Kua | National Party | 20 December 2020 |
| William Onglo | United Resources Party | 20 December 2020 |
| William Duma | United Resources Party | 20 December 2020 |
| Joe Sungi | Pangu Party | 20 December 2020 |
| Isi Henry Leonard | National Party | 20 December 2020 |
| William Samb | Pangu Party | |
| Michael Nali | People's National Congress | 20 December 2020 |
| Walter Schnaubelt | National Alliance Party | 20 December 2020 |
| Saki Soloma | Pangu Party | 20 December 2020 |
| Johnson Tuke | People's Progress Party | 20 December 2020 |
| Henry Amuli | Melanesian Alliance Party | April 2022 |
Past Cabinets
Second Marape Cabinet
James Marape announced his second Cabinet on 1 October 2020.[8]
Portfolio | Minister | Minister's party |
---|---|---|
| James Marape | Pangu Party |
| Sam Basil | United Labour Party |
| Davis Steven | People's Party |
| Ian Ling-Stuckey | National Alliance Party |
| Patrick Pruaitch | National Alliance Party |
| Rainbo Paita | Pangu Party |
| Joseph Yopyyopy | Melanesian Alliance Party |
| Jelta Wong | United Resources Party |
| William Duma | United Resources Party |
| Timothy Masiu | National Alliance Party |
| Wake Goi | People's Party |
| Chris Nangoi | Melanesian Alliance Party |
| Saki Soloma | Pangu Party |
| Wera Mori | Pangu Party |
| Dr Lino Tom | Peoples Party |
| Sir Puka Temu | Our Development Party |
| Nick Kuman | Pangu Party |
| Justin Tkatchenko | Social Democratic Party |
| Westly Nukundj | Independent |
| Pila Niningi | People's National Congress |
| Lekwa Gure | United Labour Party |
| John Simon | Pangu Party |
| John Rosso | Pangu Party |
| Kerenga Kua | PNG National Party |
| Bryan Kramer | Allegiance Party |
| Sasindran Muthuvel | Pangu Party |
| Soroi Eoe | Pangu Party |
| Walter Schnaubelt | National Alliance |
| William Samb | Pangu Party |
| Michael Nali | People's National Congress |
| Solan Mirisim | Pangu Party |
| William Onglo | United Resource Party |
| Johnson Tuke | People's Progress Party |
First Marape Cabinet
Prime Minister James Marape appointed his first Cabinet on 7 June 2019.
Portfolio | Minister | Minister's party |
---|---|---|
James Marape | Pangu Party | |
| Davis Steven | Unaffiliated |
| Ian Ling-Stuckey | National Alliance Party |
| Soroi Eoe | People's National Congress |
| Charles Abel | Our Development Party |
| Joseph Yopyyopy | Melanesian Alliance Party |
| Lekwa Gure | Melanesian Alliance Party |
| Wera Mori | Unaffiliated |
| Renbo Paita | Pangu Party |
| Wake Goi | People's National Congress |
| Chris Nangoi | Melanesian Alliance Party |
| Saki Soloma | Unaffiliated |
| Jeffery Kama | Triumph Heritage Empowerment Party |
| Dr Lino Tom | Pangu Party |
| Sir Puka Temu | Our Development Party |
| Elias Kapavore | People's National Congress |
| Nick Kuman | People's National Congress |
| Justin Tkatchenko | People's National Congress |
| Petrus Thomas | Independent |
| Pila Niningi | People's National Congress |
| Alfred Manase | People's National Congress |
| John Simon | Unaffiliated |
| John Rosso | Pangu Party |
| Kerenga Kua | PNG National Party |
| Bryan Kramer | Allegiance Party |
| Sasindran Muthuvel | People's National Congress |
| Westly Nukundj | People's National Congress |
| Emil Tammur | People's Progress Party |
| William Samb | Pangu Party |
| Michael Nali | People's National Congress |
| Solan Mirisim | People's National Congress |
| Richard Maru | People's National Congress |
| Johnson Tuke | People's Progress Party |
Marape Caretaker Cabinet
James Marape was elected as Prime Minister on 30 May 2019, and on 31 May he appointed a caretaker Cabinet.
Portfolio | Minister | Minister's party |
---|---|---|
| James Marape | Pangu Party |
| Solan Mirisim | People's National Congress |
| Richard Maru | People's National Congress |
| Sam Basil | Melanesian Alliance Party |
| Johnson Tuke | People's Progress Party |
| Davis Steven | Unaffiliated |
| Michael Nali | People's National Congress |
| Charles Abel | Our Development Party |
O'Neill-Abel Cabinet
Following the re-election of Peter O'Neill's government at the 2017 election, O'Neill appointed his Cabinet on 9 August 2017.[9]
Portfolio | Minister | Minister's party |
---|---|---|
| Peter O'Neill | People's National Congress |
| Charles Abel | People's National Congress |
| Kevin Isifu | People's Progress Party |
| James Marape | People's National Congress |
| Richard Maru | People's National Congress |
| Elias Kapavore | People's National Congress |
| Fabian Pok | United Resources Party |
| Justin Tkatchenko | People's National Congress |
| Rimbink Pato | United Party |
| John Kaupa | People's National Congress |
| Jelta Wong | United Resources Party |
| Pila Ninigi | People's National Congress |
| Fr Simon Dumarinu | Social Democratic Party |
| Alfred Manasseh | People's National Congress |
| Solan Mirisim | People's National Congress |
| Michael Nali | Independent |
| William Duma | United Resources Party |
| Wera Mori | People's National Congress |
| John Pundari | People's National Congress |
| Benny Allan | People's National Congress |
| Westly Nukundi | People's National Congress |
| Mehrra Kipefa | United Resources Party |
| Francis Maneke | Our Development Party |
| Soroi Eoe | People's National Congress[10] |
| Sir Puka Temu | People's National Congress |
| Nick Kuman | People's National Congress |
| Patrick Basa | Christian Democratic Party |
| Roy Biyama | People's National Congress |
| Emil Tamur | People's Progress Party |
| Petrus Thomas | Independent |
| Davis Steven | People's National Congress |
| Douglas Tomuriesa | People's National Congress |
| Johnson Tuke | People's Progress Party |
First O'Neill Cabinet
With Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare having been hospitalised for a serious heart condition, leadership of the nation was vested in Deputy Prime Minister Sam Abal in April 2011. In August, following a Cabinet reshuffle which had led three ministers to join the Opposition, the latter brought a successful motion of no confidence in Abal's government. Parliament chose Peter O'Neill to serve as Prime Minister.[11]
On 27 February 2012, O'Neill removed the Finance portfolio from Don Polye, taking it on himself. He cited "the continuing lack of ability by the department and ministry of finance to contain expenditure overruns outside of the budget appropriations". Polye retained the Treasury portfolio, and gained that of Border Development. O'Neill hinted that the Finance ministry would eventually be returned to him, and also hinted at an imminent major Cabinet reshuffle.[12]
On 9 August 2012, following a general election, O'Neill announced the following cabinet for the 2012–2017 term:[13]
Portfolio | Minister | Minister's province | Minister's party | Parliamentary secretary | Opposition shadow minister |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Prime Minister | Peter O'Neill | Southern Highlands Province | People's National Congress Party | ||
| Leo Dion | East New Britain Province | Triumph Heritage Empowerment Party | ||
Minister for Agriculture & Livestock | Tommy Tomscoll | Madang Province | People’s Democratic Movement Party | ||
Minister for Bougainville Affairs | Steven Kamma | Autonomous Region of Bougainville | United Resources Party | ||
Minister for Civil Aviation | Davis Steven | Milne Bay Province | People's Party | ||
Minister for Communication & Information Technology | Jimmy Miringtoro | Autonomous Region of Bougainville | People's National Congress Party | ||
Minister for Community Development, Religion & Youth | Loujaya Toni | Morobe Province | Indigenous People's Party | ||
Minister for Correctional Services | Jim Simatab | East Sepik Province | National Alliance Party | ||
Minister for Defence | Fabian Pok | Jiwaka Province | United Resources Party | ||
Minister for Education | Paru Aihi | Central Province | People's National Congress Party | ||
Minister for Environment & Conservation | John Pundari | Enga Province | People's Party | ||
Minister for Finance | James Marape | Hela Province | People's National Congress Party | ||
Minister for Fisheries & Marine Resources | Mao Zeming | Morobe Province | People's National Congress Party | ||
Minister for Foreign Affairs & Immigration | Rimbink Pato | Enga Province | United Party | ||
Minister for Forests & Climate Change | Patrick Pruaitch | West Sepik Province | National Alliance Party | ||
Minister for Health & HIV/AIDS | Michael Malabag | National Capital District | People's National Congress Party | ||
Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science, & Technology | Francis Marus | ||||
Minister for Housing & Urban Development | Paul Isikiel | Morobe Province | People's National Congress Party | ||
Minister for Justice & Attorney-General | Kerenga Kua | Chimbu Province | National Alliance Party | ||
Minister for Labour & Industrial Relations | Mark Maipakai | Gulf Province | Triumph Heritage Empowerment Party | ||
Minister for Lands & Physical Planning | Benny Allan | Eastern Highlands Province | People's National Congress Party | ||
Minister for Mining | Byron Chan | New Ireland Province | People's Progress Party | ||
Minister for National Planning | Charles Abel | Milne Bay Province | People's National Congress Party | ||
Minister for Petroleum & Energy | William Duma | Western Highlands Province | United Resources Party | ||
Minister for Police | Nixon Duban | Madang Province | People's National Congress Party | ||
Minister for Public Enterprises & State Investment | Ben Micah | New Ireland Province | People's Progress Party | ||
Minister for Public Service | Sir Puka Temu | Central Province | Our Development Party | ||
Minister for Sports & Pacific Games | Justin Tkatchenko | National Capital District | Social Democratic Party | ||
Minister for Tourism, Art & Culture | Boka Kondra | Western Province | People's National Congress Party | ||
Minister for Trade, Commerce & Industry | Richard Maru | East Sepik Province | Independent | ||
Minister for Transport & Works | Ano Pala | Central Province | People's National Congress Party | ||
Minister for Treasury | Don Polye | Enga Province | Triumph Heritage Empowerment Party | ||
Minister for Works & Implementation | Francis Awesa | Southern Highlands Province | People's National Congress Party |
2014 cabinet reshuffle
In February 2014, the following reshuffle took place. Police Minister Nixon Duban (MP for Madang, National Congress Party) was reshuffled to the position of Minister of Petroleum and Energy, replacing William Duma (MP for Mount Hagen, United Resources Party), who was dropped from the Cabinet; O'Neill suggested that Duma had not adhered to the principle of Cabinet solidarity. Robert Atiyafa (MP for Henganofi) was appointed as Minister for Police. David Arore (MP for the Northern Province, T.H.E. Party) was replaced as Minister for Higher Education by Delilah Gore (MP for Sohe, T.H.E. Party), while Nick Kuman (MP for Gumine) was appointed Minister for Education.[14] It was the first time ever that the country's Cabinet included two women: Delilah Gore, and Community Development Minister Loujaya Kouza (MP for Lae).[15]
On 10 March 2014, O'Neill sacked his Minister for Finance Don Polye (leader of the T.H.E. Party, the second-largest party in the government), and Minister for Industrial Relations Mark Maipakai, having accused them of destabilising the government.[16]
In August 2014, Community Development Minister Loujaya Kouza resigned to serve as interim chair Lae City Commission. In a reshuffle, she was replaced by Delilah Gore, who in turn was replaced as Minister for Higher Education by Malakai Tabar. William Duma, ousted from the government in February, was re-admitted, this time as Minister for Transport.[17]
In August 2015 Minister for Religion, Youth and Community Development Delilah Gore was suspended for three months without pay after verbally assaulting and threatening a flight attendant who had asked her to turn off her mobile phone on an Air Niugini flight. (Gore was removed from the plane as a consequence of her behaviour.)[18]
In July 2016, Minister for Petroleum and Energy Ben Micah resigned from the government and joined the Opposition. He was replaced by Nixon Duban, who was in turn replaced as Minister for Transport by Malakai Tabar. Tabar was replaced as Minister for Higher Education by Francis Marus (MP for Talasea), who was promoted from the back benches.[19]
Somare Cabinet 2007-2011
In the 2007 general election, the National Alliance-led government headed by Sir Michael Somare was returned. The first Cabinet of the new government was announced on 29 August 2007.[20][21][22][23]
The Cabinet contained 28 ministers. They were assisted by 12 parliamentary secretaries, who were not officially part of the Cabinet.
Media comment on the new cabinet focused on the demotion of the previous Deputy Prime Minister Don Polye, the relatively low number of Highlands MPs in Cabinet, and the potential for conflict of interest in the appointment of Belden Namah, a forest landowner and principal of a company involved in logging in West Sepik Province, as Forestry Minister.
The Opposition's shadow ministry was announced on 31 August 2007.[24]
On 14 August 2009, Don Polye was removed from his position as Member of Parliament, and Minister for Works, Transport & Civil Aviation, when the National Court determined that his victory in the 2007 general election was invalid.[25] The Prime Minister assumed responsibility for Polye's Transport and Works ministries as an interim measure until Polye's by-election is held on 9 November 2009, while Culture and Tourism Minister Charles Abel acquired the Civil Aviation ministerial portfolio.[26]
In May 2010, Attorney-General and Justice Minister Allan Marat, leader of the Melanesian Liberal Party, publicly criticised aspects of government policy, and resigned upon being asked to do so by Prime Minister Michael Somare. Ano Pala, National Alliance Party MP for Rigo, was appointed in his place.[27]
This was the Cabinet as of February 2011.[28] (The list of parliamentary secretaries is also accurate as of February 2011. The list of Shadow Ministers, however, is from September 2007.)
Portfolio | Minister | Minister's province | Minister's party | Parliamentary secretary | Opposition shadow minister |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sir Michael Somare | East Sepik | NA | Sir Mekere Morauta (PNGP) | |
| Sam Abal | Enga | NA | (Transport, Civil Aviation, Works) Tony Puana (NGP) | |
| Peter O'Neill | Southern Highlands | PNC | Bart Philemon (NGP) | |
| Don Polye | ||||
| Moses Maladina | RDP | Anthony Nene | Isaac Joseph (NGP) | |
| Fidelis Semoso | East Sepik | PAP | (Foreign Affairs, Trade and Immigration) Sali Subam (NA) | (Bougainville) Koni Iguan (PLP) |
| James Marape | NA | David Arore (NA) | Ferao Orimyo (PNGP) | |
| Paul Tiensten | East New Britain | NA | (National Planning and Monitoring) Phillip Kikala | |
| Gabriel Kapris | East Sepik | PAP | Bonny Oveyara (PPP) | |
| William Duma | Western Highlands | URP | Francis Potabe Mulungu (NGP) | |
| Andrew Kumbakor | West Sepik | Pangu | Theo Zurenouc (PPP) | |
| Bob Dadae | Morobe | UP | ||
| Paru Aihi | PNGP | Jack Cameron (PDM) | ||
| Sir Arnold Amet | NA | |||
| Dame Carol Kidu | NCD | MA | ||
| Arthur Somare | East Sepik | NA | David Arore | Sir Mekere Morauta (PNGP) |
| Ano Pala | Central | NA | Puri Ruing (PNGP) | |
| Benny Allan | Eastern Highlands | URP | Roy Biyama (URP) | |
| Philemon Embel | Southern Highlands | Pangu | ||
| Sani Rambi | Western Highlands | NA | Sam Basil (PPP) | |
| Sasa Zibe | Morobe | NA | (Health) Yawa Silupa (NA) | |
| Mark Maipakai | Gulf | NA | Byron Chan (PPP) | |
| Ben Semri | Madang | PAP | Sam Basil (PPP) | |
| Timothy Bonga | NA | Isaac Joseph (NGP) | ||
| Tony Aimo | East Sepik | PAP | ||
| Patrick Tammur | East New Britain | NA | ||
| Job Pomat | Manus | PNC | Koni Iguan (PLP) | |
| Francis Potape | URP | Koni Iguan (PLP) | ||
| Guma Wau | URP | Byron Chan (PPP) | ||
| Benjamin Popanawa | NA | |||
| Lucas Dekene | NA | (Lands and Physical Planning) Theo Zurenouc (PPP) | ||
| John Pundari | People's Party | Francis Awesa (PNGP) |
See also
- Executive council (Commonwealth countries)
References
- ^ "Pomaleu is new secretary to PM & NEC". 12 January 2021.
- ^ "Prime Minister and National Executive Council Act 2002".
- ^ "Papua New Guinea country brief". www.dfat.gov.au. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
- ^ "Sir Manasupe Haus re-opened – Kramer Ausenco". kramerausenco.com. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
- ^ https://www.dfat.gov.au/sites/default/files/australia-and-papua-new-guinea-1966-1969.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ "Constitutional Planning Committee Report 1974". paclii.org. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
- ^ "PM Marape Announces New Cabinet". EMPV. 20 December 2020. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
- ^ "Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister announces major cabinet reshuffle". Business Advantage PNG. 5 October 2020. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
- ^ "PM appoints full Cabinet". Loop PNG. 9 August 2017. Retrieved 9 August 2017.
- ^ Elected as an MP for the National Party, Soroi Eoe defected to the PNC immediately after his election. C.f.: "New and old hands on portfolios in unveiled PNG cabinet", Radio New Zealand International, 10 August 2017
- ^ "Breaking news: Upheaval in PNG – O’Neill elected as new prime minister", Pacific Media Centre, 2 August 2011
- ^ "Polye loses powers", The National, 28 February 2012
- ^ " Archived 13 August 2012 at the Wayback Machine, Post-Courier Online, 10 August 2012
- ^ "PNG Cabinet reshuffle, Decision based on performance, stability: PM O'Neill" Archived 1 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine, Islands Business, 25 February 2014
- ^ "Gore's appointment as Cabinet Minister sets new PNG politics record", Post Courier, 25 February 2014
- ^ "PNG treasurer sacked by PM O'Neill", News.com.au, 10 March 2014
- ^ "Sacked PNG Minister back as cabinet Minister, MP steps down, takes on new role" Archived 26 August 2014 at the Wayback Machine, Islands Business, 11 August 2014
- ^ "Flight stoush sees PNG minister grounded", Radio New Zealand, 11 August 2015
- ^ "PNG Cabinet Reshuffle after Vote of No Confidence victory", Papua New Guinea Today, 26 July 2016
- ^ "Cabinet named". The National. 30 August 2007. Archived from the original on 30 May 2008. Retrieved 30 August 2007.
- ^ "12 vice-ministers appointed". The National. 30 August 2007. Archived from the original on 22 November 2008. Retrieved 30 August 2007.
- ^ "Somare's cabinet: At a glance" (PDF). Post Courier Online. 30 August 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 30 August 2007.
- ^ Papua New Guinea: Cabinet listing, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Retrieved on 3 September 2007
- ^ "Sir Mek forms shadow govt; Bart is deputy". The National. 3 September 2006. Archived from the original on 22 November 2008. Retrieved 3 September 2007.
- ^ "Polye out" Archived 16 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine Post-Courier, 17 August 2009
- ^ National, "Get facts right:Abel" 21 September 2009
- ^ "PNG gets new Attorney General and Justice Minister". Radio New Zealand International. 10 May 2010. Retrieved 22 September 2011.
- ^ "Papua New Guinea cabinet listing", Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade