Portfolios allocated but no 6th Minister

At about 2.30pm on Tuesday, letters were sent to the new Ministers appointed by Prime Minister Hon Jim Marurai prior to Christmas, advising them of their portfolios
On Tuesday the Herald was told there will be no sixth Minister appointed in the meantime but that this position was likely to be negotiated.
Apparently the current Cabinet has recognised that the country can be run with five Ministers in the meantime and that a sixth Minister will be appointed only if decided necessary. The Herald was told that if it was decided not to appoint a sixth Minister, this move could be interpreted as an indicator of government reform beginning with Cabinet itself. Almost $300,000 would be saved by not appointing a sixth Minister given the salary is around $85,000 and the office running costs about $195,000.
When questioned about an unconfirmed report of a letter recently sent by the Demo Party to the Queen’s Representative (QR) containing at least 18 signatures, stating that the PM did not enjoy the confidence of the majority of the House and asking the QR to call Parliament, the spokesperson said he was not aware of that development but said the PM had already received legal advice on the provisions of the Constitution.
He said the PM had kept the QR informed of developments and that the QR has been advised of the allocation of portfolios.
He said Cabinet would hold its first formal meeting on Wednesday and that next week the Executive Council would meet with the QR to obtain his assent to the Sea Bed Minerals Bill.
He said under the Constitution only the PM can call parliament and Parliament can only be dissolved by the QR upon the advice of the PM.
Under the Constitution he said the PM could only be removed from office if found insane, if absent from the country for three consecutive months without notice or by a vote of no confidence in Parliament.
To hold a vote of no confidence, the PM must call Parliament and that is unlikely. Further, 14 days notice must be given if the motion is moved by a private member otherwise a Minister can lodge a vote of no confidence.
At present the country has a minority, caretaker government.

Herald Issue 463 10 June
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