Opposition announces shadow cabinet

Caption: Opposition Leader Don Polye.

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, February 15, 2015 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

THE Opposition announced its shadow cabinet to the media on Friday at parliament, with a total of seven shadow ministers to take charge of debating relevant issues in allocated shadow portfolios.

Leader of the Opposition Don Polye assured the people of the country that the opposition was passionate about ensuring a vibrant democracy to exist in the country.

“People of Papua New Guinea must know that as the alternative government, we will be addressing matters of concern for the people of this nation,” the Opposition leader said.

“The shadow cabinet is comprised of seven shadow ministers and a government whip- with the governess for Eastern Highlands (Julie Soso) and the recent Inclusion by the Governor for Oro, those will have no shadow cabinet portfolios.

He also made mentioned of Sumkar MP, Ken Fairwhether, was to join the opposition, at which he would be allocated a shadow ministry.

The Shadow ministers are as follows:

·        Opposition Leader Don Polye will shadow as Minister for treasury, Foreign Affairs and Trade, Immigration, Correctional Services and Religion, Youth and Community Development, Higher Education Science and Technology.

·        Deputy Leaders of the Opposition, Sam Basi, is the shadow minister for State Enterprises, Agriculture and Livestock, Lands and Physical planning, and Education. He is also the Whip of the Opposition.

·        Belden Namah, shadow Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Forestry, Defense, Police, Information and Communication.

·        Dr Alan Marat for Department of Justice Attorney General, Labour Industrial Relations, Public Services, Immigration and Correctional Services.

·        Mark Maipakai shadow Minister for Finance, National Planning, Fisheries, and Bourgainville Affairs, Health HIV and AIDS.

·        James Gau will be the shadow Minister for Works and Implementation, Transport and Civil Aviation, Commerce and Industry, Tourism and Culture and Arts, Sports and the Pacific Games.

·        Nixon Mangape is the shadow Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Mining, Inter-Government Relations, Environment Conservation and Climate Change.

“The need for a shadow cabinet and for an alternative policy is very paramount because when you have government policies coming, there must be a counter balance, a debate, a section of policies that come out from the government and the opposition has the responsibility to do so,” Polye explained.

“As small as we may be this team of shadow ministers, the government can do things with proper debate and this is a team the puts the government to the perspective that they will have a very vibrant and dynamic opposition that will be very serious in addressing the affairs of the people especially policies of government,” he concluded.