WATCH ASSOCIATES
Where ministerial changes are likely
By Charles Pitt, Political Editor

Cassey Eggelton

With the return of the Democratic Party to power, the Cabinet line–up is expected to stay much the same.
Interest will be focused on who might be appointed to Associate Minister positions.
Expected back in Cabinet and assuming their major portfolios, are incumbents:
- Jim Marurai (Education),
- Dr Terepai Maoate (Finance/Health),
- Aunty Mau (Works/Agriculture/Internal Affairs),
- Tangata Vavia (Justice),
- Wilkie Rasmussen (Foreign Affairs/Culture);
- and the re-elected former Minister for Agriculture/Works Robert Wigmore.
IOANE
With the return of Wigmore, Marurai may consider a portfolio reshuffle or let Wigmore take up Environment from Kete Ioane.
Ioane was appointed Minister just before the election, and was an obvious fill in, an “off the bench” player in the thick of it barely long enough to warm his seat.
Wigmore has already signalled he will not seek another term. The Environment Service is well managed to the extent it should not present Wigmore with too many headaches.
STACKED
With stability guaranteed for the next term and Cabinet stacked with the older, “steady as she goes” members, the Demos can be expected to use this term as an opportunity to groom the younger brigade.
Expect Associate Minister roles for:
- Junior Maoate (Finance),
- Cassey Eggelton (Internal Affairs or Foreign Affairs),
- Pastor John Tangi (Internal Affairs/Sport),
- and Winton Pickering (Works).
LOOK
Not only do they look the part, these are people who clearly display some talent, intelligence and vision.
This younger brigade should be given the chance to hone their skills on the international stage, at conferences, seminars, workshops.
Meanwhile, back home the more deeply experienced older team maintains a steady, stable hand on the tiller.
LOSS
Next term we can expect a number of Cabinet members to retire from politics. They are likely to be Dr Maoate, Aunty Mau and Robert Wigmore.
The loss of three top level members will be made easier to bear if the Demos have groomed their replacements well.

New system for aid funding
By Charles Pitt

Aid funding here is to move away from the old concept of funding specific projects and programmes to funding by “sector”.
This sector wide approach says Garth Henderson of the Aid Division at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) is part of an international move towards donor “harmonisation.”
Harmonisation, says Henderson, minimizes transaction costs.
For ministries, it will mean aid funding going into one funding basket.
The Ministry may not know what portion is aid money.
Ministries must also have a strategic plan.
EASIER
Henderson says this new system, once in place, will actually make things easier.
Progress, however, has been slow, he says. In getting “buy in” from Ministries, he is encountering some resistance to change.
As to when the new system will come in to being, Henderson says it could be next financial year with a bit of luck.

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