PNG PM announces cabinet line-up

10 Aug 2012, 12:05 pm   -   Source: AAP
Mr O'Neill's team is drawn from the roughly 80 MPs who flocked to Alotau in Milne Bay during the later days of the national election. (AAP)

Mr O'Neill's team is drawn from the roughly 80 MPs who flocked to Alotau in Milne Bay during the later days of the national election. (AAP)

Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has announced his full 33-strong cabinet, which puts his coalition partners in key positions.

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Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill says his 33-strong ministerial team is balanced and will deliver for the country.

Mr O'Neill on Thursday night announced his full cabinet line-up, days after his team was sworn in at government house.

Retaining treasury is Mr O'Neill's second largest coalition partner, Don Polye, while Tari-Pori MP James Marape takes on finance.

Former law society president and lawyer Kerenga Kua - who acted in court for Sir Michael Somare after Mr O'Neill and parliament turfed him from office last year - is now attorney-general.

"A handful of ministers are new to both parliament and cabinet," Mr O'Neill said.

"But they come with a wealth of experience from the private sector and business that this government will utilise.

"I am confident this team will deliver the development programs and policies that our people embraced by voting us overwhelmingly back into government."

Of the three female MPs elected at the 2012 poll, just one has been given a ministry.

Lae MP and former journalist Loujaya Toni will take on Religion, Youth and Community Development.

"I am passionate about all three, about development in particular," Ms Toni told AAP at her swearing in at government house on Wednesday.

Community development was the ministerial portfolio of PNG's only female MP for 15 years, Dame Carol Kidu, who after a brief stint as opposition leader retired before the election.

Mr O'Neill's former chief of staff, Ben Micah, will take public enterprises and state investment, while former O'Neill adviser Nixon Duban is now police minister.

Rimbink Pato replaces Ano Pala as foreign minister, while Mr Pala takes on transport.

Former Trade Union President Michael Malabag is minister for health and HIV/AIDs.

Mr O'Neill's team is drawn from the roughly 80 MPs who flocked to Alotau in Milne Bay during the later days of the national election.

Byron Chan, son of former PM Sir Julius Chan, is mining minister.

Sir Julius is credited with bringing together Mr O'Neill and former political enemy Sir Michael Somare in the early days of the post-election coalition.

On Wednesday he announced East New Britain governor Leo Dion - from Mr Polye's Triumph Heritage Empowerment party - is the nation's deputy PM.

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