Tonga’s new Cabinet [1]
Thursday, October 10, 2019 - 20:02
Only four members of the previous government are retained in a new Cabinet line-up announced by Prime Minister, Hon. Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa this afternoon, 10 October 2019.
The 12 Cabinet Ministers were endorsed by King Tupou VI yesterday, 9 October 2019.
Prime Minister Hon. Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa has retained only three Cabinet Ministers from the former Cabinet of the late Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva.
Including himself, the four returning Cabinet Ministers, including one noble, are:
- Hon. Dr Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa – Prime Minister and the Minister for Public Enterprises (formerly Minister of Finance)
- Hon. Sione Vuna Fa’otusia – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Justice and Prison
- Lord Ma’afu – Minister for Lands and Natural Resource and Minister for His Majesty’s Armed Forces.
- Hon. Poasi Mataele Tei – Minister for Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Communications and Climate Change (MEIDECCC)
PM Hon. Tu'i'onetoa has selected seven new Cabinet Ministers, including two nobles and two women:
- Hon. Tevita Lavemaau- Minister for Finance & Minister for Revenue and Customs
- Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni – Minister for Education & Training
- Hon. Samiu Kuita Vaipulu - Minister for Trade and Economic Development
- Hon. ‘Akosita Lavulavu- Minister for Infrastructure and Tourism
- Hon. Vatau Hui - Minister for Internal Affairs
- Lord Nuku - Minister for Police, Fire & Emergency Services
- Lord Tu’ilakepa - Minister for Agriculture, Food, Forests and Fisheries.
The PM has also appointed one unelected Members of Parliament as one of his Cabinet Ministers, making Hon. Dr ‘Amelia Afuha’amango Tu’ipulotu the new Minister of Health.
He may appoint up to four unelected Ministers.