Council of Ministers of Vanuatu
Encyclopedia
The Cabinet of Vanuatu (formally the Council of Ministers of Vanuatu) is the cabinet
(executive branch
) of the government
of the Republic of Vanuatu
.
The Constitution of Vanuatu
(Art. 39(1)) specifies that "[t]he executive power of the people of the Republic of Vanuatu is vested in the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers". The number of Ministers must not "exceed a quarter of the number of members of Parliament" (Art. 40(2)). The Prime Minister, who is directly elected by Parliament
, appoints other Ministers from among the members of Parliament (Art. 42(1)). The Council is "collectively responsible to Parliament" (Art. 43(1)).
was elected Prime Minister by Parliament, with twenty-nine votes to Serge Vohor
's twenty-three, thus beginning his first lawfully recognised term as Prime Minister. He reinstated his previous Cabinet.
. The following month, the Council was reshuffled to offer positions to the Union of Moderate Parties
(UMP), which joined the ruling coalition. In June 2009, the election to Parliament of Bakoa Kaltongga (the Minister for Foreign Affairs) was invalidated by the Supreme Court, leading to his dismissal from the Council of Ministers. On that occasion, Prime Minister Edward Natapei
reshuffled his Cabinet again. In December 2009, a new reshuffle produced the following Cabinet:
's government was ousted in a vote of no confidence, and Parliament elected Sato Kilman
to replace him. Kilman's initial appointments to his Cabinet are given below.
A few days later, a reshuffle took place when members of the Union of Moderate Parties accepted positions in Cabinet in exchange for withdrawing their support from an immediate motion of no confidence in the new government. Charlot Salwai, vice-President of the UMP, replaced Yoan Simon as Minister for Education; and Serge Vohor
, President of the UMP, replaced Harry Iauko
as Minister for Infrastructure and Public Utilities. Simon became Minister for Justice, replacing Alfred Carlot, who lost his seat in Cabinet, while Iauko became Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, replacing Paul Telukluk
(the only Namangi Aute
MP), who was also removed from Cabinet.
On 10 February 2011, Vohor and Salwai both resigned, along with Minister for Agriculture Marcellino Pipite
, of the Republican Party
; all three wished to protest over their respective parties having fewer seats in Cabinet then they had asked for. (The Republican Party had lost one when Carlot was removed in the reshuffle.) Following Vohor and Salwai's resignation from the government, the UMP announced it was joining the opposition once again, supporting Edward Natapei in his bid to reclaim the premiership by ousting Kilman in a new motion of "no confidence".
On 18 February, there was another reshuffle, to consolidate the government's majority prior to an expected vote on a motion of confidence in Parliament. Backbencher
Esmon Sae was appointed Minister for ni-Vanuatu business, replacing Ralph Regenvanu
, who became instead Minister for Lands. Backbencher James Wango
was appointed Minister for Agriculture, while Marcellino Pipite, who had rejoined the government, was appointed Minister for Education.
On 10 March, Kilman sacked Justice Minister Yoan Simon, who had "reportedly backed the opposition’s plans for a motion of no confidence". To shore up the coalition, the Republican Party was invited to join the government once more. The Republican Party demanded the Lands Ministry, which Kilman consequently offered to Alfred Carlot. This meant reshuffling Lands Minister Ralph Regenvanu
to the Ministry of Justice and Social Affairs.
Initial Kilman Cabinet
Cabinet after final reshuffle (March 2011)
by twenty-six votes to twenty-five in a motion of no confidence
. The Opposition had not formally proposed a candidate to replace him, and Parliament elected Serge Vohor
(Union of Moderate Parties
) as new Prime Minister. It was Vohor's fourth accession to the premiership. He quickly named his new Cabinet (detailed below). Other than Vohor himself, it included only one minister from the Union of Moderate Parties
(Charlot Salwai, who was given the Education portfolio), whereas the Vanua'aku Pati
received four ministries. Eta Rory, the only woman in Parliament, was appointed Minister for Agriculture.
However, Serge Vohor's election as Prime Minister, and therefore both his term in office and the tenure of his Cabinet, was voided by the Court of Appeal on 13 May. The Court deemed that his election was unconstitutional as he had only received votes from one-half of the members of Parliament (26 out of 52), rather than by an absolute majority.
Members of the 2011 Vohor Cabinet
's brief premiership by the Court of Appeal on 13 May, the premiership reverted to its previous holder: Sato Kilman
. Ralph Regenvanu
stated that the ousted Kilman Cabinet was thereby fully restored: "Sato and his ministers remain the cabinet of Vanuatu and have always been. [...] [W]e have now taken back our offices." Kilman's restored government, however, was supported only by twenty-four Members of Parliament, while Vohor was believed to have the support of twenty-seven, leaving Kilman's coalition in a precarious position.
Over the following days, the government's side was somewhat strengthened as two members of Parliament defected from the Opposition, and were given Cabinet portfolios. Stephen Kalsakau switched sides a day after the Kilman government was restored, and was appointed Minister for Lands. On 17 May, Willie Reuben Abel joined the government as Minister for Health, replacing Don Ken, who was reshuffled to the ministry of ni-Vanuatu affairs. This 17 May Cabinet lasted until the Kilman premiership was voided the following month.
On 20 May, the government weathered a motion of no confidence, emerging with the support of 27 MPs - a majority of one. Kilman noted the potential for more instability if floor-crossing were to occur, adding that in that case, "we cannot have instability for the next twelve months, [so] it w[ould] be in the interest of the country to go back to elections, as soon as possible".
Kilman's term was also voided by a ruling from Chief Justice Vincent Lunabek
on 16 June, finding that Kilman's election in December 2010 had not been in conformity with the requirements for a secret parliamentary ballot set out in Article 41 of the Constitution
. Natapei was restored with instructions from the court to convene Parliament for the election of a Prime Minister.
Cabinet following reshuffle on 17 May 2011
's premiership having been declared null and void on 16 June 2011, Vanuatu briefly had an interim Prime Minister, Edward Natapei
, tasked simply with convening Parliament for the election of a new Prime Minister. Radio Australia noted that Natapei's "former ministers have become interim ministers until a new prime minister is elected". Ironically, this included Sato Kilman as Deputy Prime Minister. See "Natapei Cabinet (2008-2010)", above.
During his interim, Natapei notably ordered all those who had served as ministers under Kilman to refund their salaries, on the grounds that they had not lawfully held office.
On 20 June, Natapei reshuffled this caretaker Cabinet, producing the following:
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
(executive branch
Executive (government)
Executive branch of Government is the part of government that has sole authority and responsibility for the daily administration of the state bureaucracy. The division of power into separate branches of government is central to the idea of the separation of powers.In many countries, the term...
) of the government
Politics of Vanuatu
The politics of Vanuatu take place within the framework of a constitutional democracy. The constitution provides for a representative parliamentary system. The head of the Republic is an elected President, but the Prime Minister of Vanuatu is the head of government. Executive power is exercised by...
of the Republic of Vanuatu
Vanuatu
Vanuatu , officially the Republic of Vanuatu , is an island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean. The archipelago, which is of volcanic origin, is some east of northern Australia, northeast of New Caledonia, west of Fiji, and southeast of the Solomon Islands, near New Guinea.Vanuatu was...
.
The Constitution of Vanuatu
Constitution of Vanuatu
The Constitution of Vanuatu is the supreme law of the Republic of Vanuatu. It was enacted in 1979, and came into force upon the country's independence on 30 July 1980....
(Art. 39(1)) specifies that "[t]he executive power of the people of the Republic of Vanuatu is vested in the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers". The number of Ministers must not "exceed a quarter of the number of members of Parliament" (Art. 40(2)). The Prime Minister, who is directly elected by Parliament
Parliament of Vanuatu
The Parliament is the unicameral legislative body of the Republic of Vanuatu.It was established by chapter 4 of the 1980 Constitution, upon Vanuatu's independence from France and the United Kingdom....
, appoints other Ministers from among the members of Parliament (Art. 42(1)). The Council is "collectively responsible to Parliament" (Art. 43(1)).
Current Cabinet
On 26 June 2011, Sato KilmanSato Kilman
Sato Kilman is a Vanuatu politician. He was Prime Minister of Vanuatu from December 2010 to April 2011 and from May to June 2011, though his premiership was subsequently annulled by a court of law. He was elected Prime Minister again on 26 June 2011, thus beginning his first legally recognised term...
was elected Prime Minister by Parliament, with twenty-nine votes to Serge Vohor
Serge Vohor
Rialuth Serge Vohor is a politician from Vanuatu. He hails from the largest island of Vanuatu, Espiritu Santo, from Port Olry.He is a member of the Union of Moderate Parties, a conservative, Francophone political party. When his party came to power in 1991, Vohor became foreign minister of Vanuatu...
's twenty-three, thus beginning his first lawfully recognised term as Prime Minister. He reinstated his previous Cabinet.
| Portfolio | Minister | Party | Constituency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Minister | Sato Kilman Sato Kilman Sato Kilman is a Vanuatu politician. He was Prime Minister of Vanuatu from December 2010 to April 2011 and from May to June 2011, though his premiership was subsequently annulled by a court of law. He was elected Prime Minister again on 26 June 2011, thus beginning his first legally recognised term... |
People's Progress Party People's Progress Party (Vanuatu) The People's Progress Party/Parti progressiste populaire is the ruling political party in Vanuatu.At the 6 July 2004 legislative elections, the party won 3 out of 52 seats. The following election saw its seat count increased to 4. Its leader, Sato Kilman served as Deputy Prime Minister and foreign... |
Malekula |
| Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Trade, Commerce, Industries and Tourism |
Ham Lini Ham Lini Ham Lini Vanuaroroa is a politician from Vanuatu. He is an MP from Pentecost Island in PENAMA Province. He was Prime Minister of Vanuatu from 11 December 2004 until 22 September 2008. Lini is the brother of Walter Lini, one of the founders of the modern Republic of Vanuatu... |
National United Party National United Party (Vanuatu) The Vanuatu National United Party is a political party in Vanuatu.At the last legislative elections, 1 September 2008, the party won 8 out of 52 seats. It is a social democratic party which receives most of its support from English speakers... |
Pentecost Pentecost Pentecost is a prominent feast in the calendar of Ancient Israel celebrating the giving of the Law on Sinai, and also later in the Christian liturgical year commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Christ after the Resurrection of Jesus... |
| Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Quarantine and Fisheries | James Nwango | People's Progress Party People's Progress Party (Vanuatu) The People's Progress Party/Parti progressiste populaire is the ruling political party in Vanuatu.At the 6 July 2004 legislative elections, the party won 3 out of 52 seats. The following election saw its seat count increased to 4. Its leader, Sato Kilman served as Deputy Prime Minister and foreign... |
Ambae |
| Minister of Cooperatives and Ni-Vanuatu Business Development | Don Ken | Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... |
Malekula |
| Minister of Education | Marcellino Pipite Marcellino Pipite Marcellino Pipite was the foreign minister of Vanuatu from November 2004 until December 2004, in the government of Serge Vohor. He was previously the minister for comprehensive reform. He lost his position in the cabinet in December 2004 when the Vohor government fell.-References:... |
Republican Party Vanuatu Republican Party The Vanuatu Republican Party is a political party in Vanuatu.At the last legislative elections, 1 September 2008, the party won 7 out of 52 seats. Its leader is Maxime Carlot Korman, who was previously a member of the Union of Moderate Parties and had served as Prime Minister of Vanuatu while a... |
Santo Espiritu Santo Espiritu Santo is the largest island in the nation of Vanuatu, with an area of . It belongs to the archipelago of the New Hebrides in the Pacific region of Melanesia. It is in the Sanma Province of Vanuatu.... |
| Minister of Finance and Economic Management | Moana Carcasses Kalosil Moana Carcasses Kalosil Moana Carcasses Kalosil is a ni-Vanuatu politician. From December 2009 to December 2010, he was Minister of Internal Affairs and Minister of Labour in Edward Natapei's Cabinet. From December 2010 to June 2011, he was Minister of Finance and Economic Management in Sato Kilman's Cabinet.He served as... |
Green Green Confederation The Greens/Verts is a green political party in Vanuatu.At the last legislative elections, 2 September 2008, the party won 2 out of 52 seats. Its most prominent member is Moana Carcasses Kalosil, the deputy leader of the opposition and a former cabinet minister.-See also:*Green party*List of... |
Port Vila Port Vila Port Vila is the capital and largest city of Vanuatu. Situated on the south coast of the island of Efate, in Shefa Province, the city population at last was 29,356, an increase of 55% on the previous census result . This suggests a 2007 population of about 40,000 or around 65% of the province's... |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade | Alfred Carlot | Republican Party | Efate Rural |
| Minister of Health | Willie Ruben Abel | Vanua'aku Pati Vanua'aku Pati The Vanua'aku Pati is a political party in Vanuatu.At the last legislative elections, 1 September 2008, the party won 11 out of 52 seats, becoming the largest party in Parliament.... |
Shepherds Shepherd Islands The Shepherd Islands are a group of islands lying between the larger islands of Epi and Éfaté, in the Shefa province of Vanuatu. The aggregate land area is 88 km². At the 2009 census the population numbered 3634.... |
| Minister of Infrastructure and Public Utilities | Harry Iauko Harry Iauko Harry Iauko is a ni-Vanuatu politician.In 2005, he was appointed Secretary-General of the Vanua'aku Pati. He had been described as "the architect of the re-election of Natapei" to the party's leadership... |
Vanua'aku Pati | Tanna |
| Minister of Internal Affairs | George Wells George Wells George Wells may refer to:* George Albert Wells , Emeritus Professor of German at Birkbeck, University of London* George H. Wells , American soldier, lawyer and politician* George Wells , Anglican bishop in Canada... |
National United Party | Santo Santo Rodolfo Guzmán Huerta , more widely known as El Santo , was a Mexican Luchador enmascarado , film actor, and folk icon.... |
| Minister of Justice and Social Affairs | Ralph Regenvanu Ralph Regenvanu Ralph John Regenvanu is a ni-Vanuatu anthropologist, artist and politician. He has been a Member of Parliament since September 2008, a member of Cabinet for most of the period since December 2010, and was the Director of the Vanuatu National Cultural Council from 1995 until December 2010.He has... |
Land and Justice Party Land and Justice Party The Land and Justice Party is a political party in Vanuatu. The party was launched on 11 November 2010 and is led by MP Ralph Regenvanu.... |
Port Vila |
| Minister of Lands and Natural Resources | Stephen Kalsakau | Union of Moderate Parties Union of Moderate Parties The Union of Moderate Parties is a conservative Francophone political party in Vanuatu.At the last legislative elections, 1 September 2008, the party won 7 out of 52 seats... |
Efate Éfaté Efate is an island in the Agean Ocean which is part of the Shefa Province in The Republic of Maliki. It is also known as Île Vate. It is the most populous island in Vanuatu. Efate's land area of makes it Vanuatu's third largest island. Most inhabitants of Efate live in Port Vila, the national... |
| Minister of Youth and Sports | Morkin Stevens | National United Party | Tanna |
Natapei Cabinet (2008-2010)
This Cabinet resulted initially from the September 2008 general electionVanuatuan general election, 2008
Parliamentary elections were held in Vanuatu on September 2, 2008. In July, the Melanesian Progressive Party requested that they be postponed, contesting the constitutionality of the Peoples Representation Act No. 33 of 2007, which allegedly enabled voters in certain constituencies to vote in two...
. The following month, the Council was reshuffled to offer positions to the Union of Moderate Parties
Union of Moderate Parties
The Union of Moderate Parties is a conservative Francophone political party in Vanuatu.At the last legislative elections, 1 September 2008, the party won 7 out of 52 seats...
(UMP), which joined the ruling coalition. In June 2009, the election to Parliament of Bakoa Kaltongga (the Minister for Foreign Affairs) was invalidated by the Supreme Court, leading to his dismissal from the Council of Ministers. On that occasion, Prime Minister Edward Natapei
Edward Natapei
Edward Nipake Natapei Tuta Fanua`araki is a politician from Vanuatu. He was elected Prime Minister of Vanuatu on two separate terms, and was previously the Minister of Foreign Affairs briefly in 1991, the acting President of Vanuatu from 2 March 1999 to 24 March 1999 , and Deputy Prime Minister...
reshuffled his Cabinet again. In December 2009, a new reshuffle produced the following Cabinet:
| Portfolio | Minister | Party | Constituency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Minister Minister of Public Service |
Edward Natapei Edward Natapei Edward Nipake Natapei Tuta Fanua`araki is a politician from Vanuatu. He was elected Prime Minister of Vanuatu on two separate terms, and was previously the Minister of Foreign Affairs briefly in 1991, the acting President of Vanuatu from 2 March 1999 to 24 March 1999 , and Deputy Prime Minister... |
Vanua'aku Pati Vanua'aku Pati The Vanua'aku Pati is a political party in Vanuatu.At the last legislative elections, 1 September 2008, the party won 11 out of 52 seats, becoming the largest party in Parliament.... |
Port Vila Port Vila Port Vila is the capital and largest city of Vanuatu. Situated on the south coast of the island of Efate, in Shefa Province, the city population at last was 29,356, an increase of 55% on the previous census result . This suggests a 2007 population of about 40,000 or around 65% of the province's... |
| Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Trades, Commerce and Industry |
Sato Kilman Sato Kilman Sato Kilman is a Vanuatu politician. He was Prime Minister of Vanuatu from December 2010 to April 2011 and from May to June 2011, though his premiership was subsequently annulled by a court of law. He was elected Prime Minister again on 26 June 2011, thus beginning his first legally recognised term... |
People's Progress Party People's Progress Party (Vanuatu) The People's Progress Party/Parti progressiste populaire is the ruling political party in Vanuatu.At the 6 July 2004 legislative elections, the party won 3 out of 52 seats. The following election saw its seat count increased to 4. Its leader, Sato Kilman served as Deputy Prime Minister and foreign... |
Malekula |
| Minister of Justice and Women’s Affairs | Bakoa Kaltonga | Vanua'aku Pati | Efate Éfaté Efate is an island in the Agean Ocean which is part of the Shefa Province in The Republic of Maliki. It is also known as Île Vate. It is the most populous island in Vanuatu. Efate's land area of makes it Vanuatu's third largest island. Most inhabitants of Efate live in Port Vila, the national... |
| Minister of Finance and Economic Management | Sela Molisa Sela Molisa Sela Molisa is a ni-Vanuatu politician. He is currently a member of the Parliament of Vanuatu, and was briefly Minister for Trade in Serge Vohor's Cabinet from April to May 2011... |
Vanua'aku Pati | Santo Espiritu Santo Espiritu Santo is the largest island in the nation of Vanuatu, with an area of . It belongs to the archipelago of the New Hebrides in the Pacific region of Melanesia. It is in the Sanma Province of Vanuatu.... |
| Minister of Lands and Natural Resources | Paul Telukluk Paul Telukluk Paul Barthelemy Telukluk is a ni-Vanuatu politician.In 2000, he was the co-founder, along with Father Gérard Leymang and Vincent Boulekone, of the Green Confederation, to "promote sustainable development balancing custom, the environment, social welfare, free enterprise and regional autonomy... |
Namangi Aute Namangi Aute The Namangi Aute is a political party in Vanuatu.At the last legislative elections, 6 July 2004, the party won 1 out of 52 seats.... |
Malekula |
| Minister of Internal Affairs, Minister of Labour |
Moana Carcasses Kalosil Moana Carcasses Kalosil Moana Carcasses Kalosil is a ni-Vanuatu politician. From December 2009 to December 2010, he was Minister of Internal Affairs and Minister of Labour in Edward Natapei's Cabinet. From December 2010 to June 2011, he was Minister of Finance and Economic Management in Sato Kilman's Cabinet.He served as... |
Green Green Confederation The Greens/Verts is a green political party in Vanuatu.At the last legislative elections, 2 September 2008, the party won 2 out of 52 seats. Its most prominent member is Moana Carcasses Kalosil, the deputy leader of the opposition and a former cabinet minister.-See also:*Green party*List of... |
Port Vila |
| Minister of Infrastructure and Public Utilities | Serge Vohor Serge Vohor Rialuth Serge Vohor is a politician from Vanuatu. He hails from the largest island of Vanuatu, Espiritu Santo, from Port Olry.He is a member of the Union of Moderate Parties, a conservative, Francophone political party. When his party came to power in 1991, Vohor became foreign minister of Vanuatu... |
Union of Moderate Parties Union of Moderate Parties The Union of Moderate Parties is a conservative Francophone political party in Vanuatu.At the last legislative elections, 1 September 2008, the party won 7 out of 52 seats... |
Santo |
| Minister of Education | Charlot Salwai | Union of Moderate Parties | Pentecost Pentecost Island Pentecost Island is one of the 83 islands that make up the South Pacific nation of Vanuatu. It lies due north of capital Port Vila. Pentecost Island is known as Pentecôte in French and Pentikos in Bislama. The island was known in its native languages by names such as Vanu Aroaroa, although these... |
| Minister of Health | Moses Kahu | Vanua'aku Pati | Tanna |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs, External Trade and Telecommunications | Joe Natuman Joe Natuman Joe Natuman is a ni-Vanuatu politician, member of the Vanua'aku Pati.In 24 April 2011, newly elected Prime Minister Serge Vohor appointed him Minister for Foreign Affairs in his Cabinet - a position he held until the fall of the Vohor government on 13 May.... |
Vanua'aku Pati | Tanna |
| Minister of Agriculture | Steven Kalsakau | Union of Moderate Parties | Efate |
| Minister of Ni-Vanuatu Business | Dunstan Hilton | People's Progress Party | Banks & Torres Torba Province Torba is the northernmost province of Vanuatu, including the Banks Islands and the Torres Islands. Its capital is Sola.The modern name Torba is derived from the initial letters of Torres and Banks.-Facts:... |
| Minister of Sports and Youth Development | Raphael Worwor | Union of Moderate Parties | Ambrym Ambrym Ambrym is a volcanic island in the archipelago of Vanuatu . It is well known for its highly active volcanic activity that includes lava lake formation.-Etymology:... |
Kilman Cabinet (2010-2011)
On 2 December 2010, Edward NatapeiEdward Natapei
Edward Nipake Natapei Tuta Fanua`araki is a politician from Vanuatu. He was elected Prime Minister of Vanuatu on two separate terms, and was previously the Minister of Foreign Affairs briefly in 1991, the acting President of Vanuatu from 2 March 1999 to 24 March 1999 , and Deputy Prime Minister...
's government was ousted in a vote of no confidence, and Parliament elected Sato Kilman
Sato Kilman
Sato Kilman is a Vanuatu politician. He was Prime Minister of Vanuatu from December 2010 to April 2011 and from May to June 2011, though his premiership was subsequently annulled by a court of law. He was elected Prime Minister again on 26 June 2011, thus beginning his first legally recognised term...
to replace him. Kilman's initial appointments to his Cabinet are given below.
A few days later, a reshuffle took place when members of the Union of Moderate Parties accepted positions in Cabinet in exchange for withdrawing their support from an immediate motion of no confidence in the new government. Charlot Salwai, vice-President of the UMP, replaced Yoan Simon as Minister for Education; and Serge Vohor
Serge Vohor
Rialuth Serge Vohor is a politician from Vanuatu. He hails from the largest island of Vanuatu, Espiritu Santo, from Port Olry.He is a member of the Union of Moderate Parties, a conservative, Francophone political party. When his party came to power in 1991, Vohor became foreign minister of Vanuatu...
, President of the UMP, replaced Harry Iauko
Harry Iauko
Harry Iauko is a ni-Vanuatu politician.In 2005, he was appointed Secretary-General of the Vanua'aku Pati. He had been described as "the architect of the re-election of Natapei" to the party's leadership...
as Minister for Infrastructure and Public Utilities. Simon became Minister for Justice, replacing Alfred Carlot, who lost his seat in Cabinet, while Iauko became Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, replacing Paul Telukluk
Paul Telukluk
Paul Barthelemy Telukluk is a ni-Vanuatu politician.In 2000, he was the co-founder, along with Father Gérard Leymang and Vincent Boulekone, of the Green Confederation, to "promote sustainable development balancing custom, the environment, social welfare, free enterprise and regional autonomy...
(the only Namangi Aute
Namangi Aute
The Namangi Aute is a political party in Vanuatu.At the last legislative elections, 6 July 2004, the party won 1 out of 52 seats....
MP), who was also removed from Cabinet.
On 10 February 2011, Vohor and Salwai both resigned, along with Minister for Agriculture Marcellino Pipite
Marcellino Pipite
Marcellino Pipite was the foreign minister of Vanuatu from November 2004 until December 2004, in the government of Serge Vohor. He was previously the minister for comprehensive reform. He lost his position in the cabinet in December 2004 when the Vohor government fell.-References:...
, of the Republican Party
Vanuatu Republican Party
The Vanuatu Republican Party is a political party in Vanuatu.At the last legislative elections, 1 September 2008, the party won 7 out of 52 seats. Its leader is Maxime Carlot Korman, who was previously a member of the Union of Moderate Parties and had served as Prime Minister of Vanuatu while a...
; all three wished to protest over their respective parties having fewer seats in Cabinet then they had asked for. (The Republican Party had lost one when Carlot was removed in the reshuffle.) Following Vohor and Salwai's resignation from the government, the UMP announced it was joining the opposition once again, supporting Edward Natapei in his bid to reclaim the premiership by ousting Kilman in a new motion of "no confidence".
On 18 February, there was another reshuffle, to consolidate the government's majority prior to an expected vote on a motion of confidence in Parliament. Backbencher
Backbencher
In Westminster parliamentary systems, a backbencher is a Member of Parliament or a legislator who does not hold governmental office and is not a Front Bench spokesperson in the Opposition...
Esmon Sae was appointed Minister for ni-Vanuatu business, replacing Ralph Regenvanu
Ralph Regenvanu
Ralph John Regenvanu is a ni-Vanuatu anthropologist, artist and politician. He has been a Member of Parliament since September 2008, a member of Cabinet for most of the period since December 2010, and was the Director of the Vanuatu National Cultural Council from 1995 until December 2010.He has...
, who became instead Minister for Lands. Backbencher James Wango
James Wango
James Wango, also known as James Ngwango, is a ni-Vanuatu politician.A member of the People's Progress Party, of which he is the treasurer, he was elected to Parliament as MP for Ambae in the September 2008 general election, one of four MPs from the People's Progress Party...
was appointed Minister for Agriculture, while Marcellino Pipite, who had rejoined the government, was appointed Minister for Education.
On 10 March, Kilman sacked Justice Minister Yoan Simon, who had "reportedly backed the opposition’s plans for a motion of no confidence". To shore up the coalition, the Republican Party was invited to join the government once more. The Republican Party demanded the Lands Ministry, which Kilman consequently offered to Alfred Carlot. This meant reshuffling Lands Minister Ralph Regenvanu
Ralph Regenvanu
Ralph John Regenvanu is a ni-Vanuatu anthropologist, artist and politician. He has been a Member of Parliament since September 2008, a member of Cabinet for most of the period since December 2010, and was the Director of the Vanuatu National Cultural Council from 1995 until December 2010.He has...
to the Ministry of Justice and Social Affairs.
Initial Kilman Cabinet
| Portfolio | Minister | Party | Constituency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Minister | Sato Kilman Sato Kilman Sato Kilman is a Vanuatu politician. He was Prime Minister of Vanuatu from December 2010 to April 2011 and from May to June 2011, though his premiership was subsequently annulled by a court of law. He was elected Prime Minister again on 26 June 2011, thus beginning his first legally recognised term... |
People's Progress Party People's Progress Party (Vanuatu) The People's Progress Party/Parti progressiste populaire is the ruling political party in Vanuatu.At the 6 July 2004 legislative elections, the party won 3 out of 52 seats. The following election saw its seat count increased to 4. Its leader, Sato Kilman served as Deputy Prime Minister and foreign... |
Malekula |
| Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Trade, Commerce, Industries and Tourism |
Ham Lini Ham Lini Ham Lini Vanuaroroa is a politician from Vanuatu. He is an MP from Pentecost Island in PENAMA Province. He was Prime Minister of Vanuatu from 11 December 2004 until 22 September 2008. Lini is the brother of Walter Lini, one of the founders of the modern Republic of Vanuatu... |
National United Party National United Party (Vanuatu) The Vanuatu National United Party is a political party in Vanuatu.At the last legislative elections, 1 September 2008, the party won 8 out of 52 seats. It is a social democratic party which receives most of its support from English speakers... |
Pentecost Pentecost Pentecost is a prominent feast in the calendar of Ancient Israel celebrating the giving of the Law on Sinai, and also later in the Christian liturgical year commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Christ after the Resurrection of Jesus... |
| Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Quarantine and Fisheries | Marcellino Pipite Marcellino Pipite Marcellino Pipite was the foreign minister of Vanuatu from November 2004 until December 2004, in the government of Serge Vohor. He was previously the minister for comprehensive reform. He lost his position in the cabinet in December 2004 when the Vohor government fell.-References:... |
Republican Party Vanuatu Republican Party The Vanuatu Republican Party is a political party in Vanuatu.At the last legislative elections, 1 September 2008, the party won 7 out of 52 seats. Its leader is Maxime Carlot Korman, who was previously a member of the Union of Moderate Parties and had served as Prime Minister of Vanuatu while a... |
Santo Espiritu Santo Espiritu Santo is the largest island in the nation of Vanuatu, with an area of . It belongs to the archipelago of the New Hebrides in the Pacific region of Melanesia. It is in the Sanma Province of Vanuatu.... |
| Minister of Cooperatives and Ni-Vanuatu Business Development | Ralph Regenvanu Ralph Regenvanu Ralph John Regenvanu is a ni-Vanuatu anthropologist, artist and politician. He has been a Member of Parliament since September 2008, a member of Cabinet for most of the period since December 2010, and was the Director of the Vanuatu National Cultural Council from 1995 until December 2010.He has... |
Land and Justice Party Land and Justice Party The Land and Justice Party is a political party in Vanuatu. The party was launched on 11 November 2010 and is led by MP Ralph Regenvanu.... |
Port Vila Port Vila Port Vila is the capital and largest city of Vanuatu. Situated on the south coast of the island of Efate, in Shefa Province, the city population at last was 29,356, an increase of 55% on the previous census result . This suggests a 2007 population of about 40,000 or around 65% of the province's... |
| Minister of Education | Yoanne Simon | Vanua'aku Pati Vanua'aku Pati The Vanua'aku Pati is a political party in Vanuatu.At the last legislative elections, 1 September 2008, the party won 11 out of 52 seats, becoming the largest party in Parliament.... |
Epi Epi (island) Epi is the name of an island in Vanuatu, at the north end of the Shepherd Islands. It is in Shefa Province. It is long northwest-southeast, and wide, with an area of . Its shoreline measures 130 km... |
| Minister of Finance and Economic Management | Moana Carcasses Kalosil Moana Carcasses Kalosil Moana Carcasses Kalosil is a ni-Vanuatu politician. From December 2009 to December 2010, he was Minister of Internal Affairs and Minister of Labour in Edward Natapei's Cabinet. From December 2010 to June 2011, he was Minister of Finance and Economic Management in Sato Kilman's Cabinet.He served as... |
Green Green Confederation The Greens/Verts is a green political party in Vanuatu.At the last legislative elections, 2 September 2008, the party won 2 out of 52 seats. Its most prominent member is Moana Carcasses Kalosil, the deputy leader of the opposition and a former cabinet minister.-See also:*Green party*List of... |
Port Vila |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade | George Wells George Wells (politician) George Andre Wells is a Ni-Vanautu politician and Member of Parliament. He is a member of the National United Party. Wells served as the Foreign Minister of Vanuatu, as well as the Internal Affairs Minister until 2007.... |
National United Party | Luganville Luganville Luganville, called "Santo" by people from Vanuatu's northern islands who use Luganville as their big city, and called "Kanal" by rural residents of the large island of Espiritu Santo, is the second largest city in Vanuatu. The population is .Luganville is one of Vanuatu's busiest ports,... |
| Minister of Health | Ton Ken | Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... |
Malekula |
| Minister of Infrastructure and Public Utilities | Harry Iauko Harry Iauko Harry Iauko is a ni-Vanuatu politician.In 2005, he was appointed Secretary-General of the Vanua'aku Pati. He had been described as "the architect of the re-election of Natapei" to the party's leadership... |
Vanua'aku Pati | Tanna |
| Minister of Internal Affairs | Dunstan Hilton | People's Progress Party | Banks/Torres Torba Province Torba is the northernmost province of Vanuatu, including the Banks Islands and the Torres Islands. Its capital is Sola.The modern name Torba is derived from the initial letters of Torres and Banks.-Facts:... |
| Minister of Justice | Alfred Carlot | Republican Party | Efate Éfaté Efate is an island in the Agean Ocean which is part of the Shefa Province in The Republic of Maliki. It is also known as Île Vate. It is the most populous island in Vanuatu. Efate's land area of makes it Vanuatu's third largest island. Most inhabitants of Efate live in Port Vila, the national... |
| Minister of Lands and Natural Resources | Paul Telukluk Paul Telukluk Paul Barthelemy Telukluk is a ni-Vanuatu politician.In 2000, he was the co-founder, along with Father Gérard Leymang and Vincent Boulekone, of the Green Confederation, to "promote sustainable development balancing custom, the environment, social welfare, free enterprise and regional autonomy... |
Namangi Aute Namangi Aute The Namangi Aute is a political party in Vanuatu.At the last legislative elections, 6 July 2004, the party won 1 out of 52 seats.... |
Malekula |
| Minister of Youth and Sports | Morkin Stevens | National United Party | Tanna |
Cabinet after final reshuffle (March 2011)
| Portfolio | Minister | Party | Constituency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Minister | Sato Kilman Sato Kilman Sato Kilman is a Vanuatu politician. He was Prime Minister of Vanuatu from December 2010 to April 2011 and from May to June 2011, though his premiership was subsequently annulled by a court of law. He was elected Prime Minister again on 26 June 2011, thus beginning his first legally recognised term... |
People's Progress Party People's Progress Party (Vanuatu) The People's Progress Party/Parti progressiste populaire is the ruling political party in Vanuatu.At the 6 July 2004 legislative elections, the party won 3 out of 52 seats. The following election saw its seat count increased to 4. Its leader, Sato Kilman served as Deputy Prime Minister and foreign... |
Malekula |
| Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Trade, Commerce, Industries and Tourism |
Ham Lini Ham Lini Ham Lini Vanuaroroa is a politician from Vanuatu. He is an MP from Pentecost Island in PENAMA Province. He was Prime Minister of Vanuatu from 11 December 2004 until 22 September 2008. Lini is the brother of Walter Lini, one of the founders of the modern Republic of Vanuatu... |
National United Party National United Party (Vanuatu) The Vanuatu National United Party is a political party in Vanuatu.At the last legislative elections, 1 September 2008, the party won 8 out of 52 seats. It is a social democratic party which receives most of its support from English speakers... |
Pentecost Pentecost Pentecost is a prominent feast in the calendar of Ancient Israel celebrating the giving of the Law on Sinai, and also later in the Christian liturgical year commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Christ after the Resurrection of Jesus... |
| Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Quarantine and Fisheries | James Wango James Wango James Wango, also known as James Ngwango, is a ni-Vanuatu politician.A member of the People's Progress Party, of which he is the treasurer, he was elected to Parliament as MP for Ambae in the September 2008 general election, one of four MPs from the People's Progress Party... |
People's Progress Party People's Progress Party (Vanuatu) The People's Progress Party/Parti progressiste populaire is the ruling political party in Vanuatu.At the 6 July 2004 legislative elections, the party won 3 out of 52 seats. The following election saw its seat count increased to 4. Its leader, Sato Kilman served as Deputy Prime Minister and foreign... |
Ambae |
| Minister of Cooperatives and Ni-Vanuatu Business Development | Esmon Sae | Melanesian Progressive Party Melanesian Progressive Party The Melanesian Progressive Party is a political party in Vanuatu. At the last legislative elections, 6 July 2004, the party won 4 out of 52 seats, an increase of 2 seats. Despite its small number of seats it has been important in setting up coalition governments since the 1990s. Its most prominent... |
Malekula |
| Minister of Education | Marcellino Pipite Marcellino Pipite Marcellino Pipite was the foreign minister of Vanuatu from November 2004 until December 2004, in the government of Serge Vohor. He was previously the minister for comprehensive reform. He lost his position in the cabinet in December 2004 when the Vohor government fell.-References:... |
Republican Party Vanuatu Republican Party The Vanuatu Republican Party is a political party in Vanuatu.At the last legislative elections, 1 September 2008, the party won 7 out of 52 seats. Its leader is Maxime Carlot Korman, who was previously a member of the Union of Moderate Parties and had served as Prime Minister of Vanuatu while a... |
Santo Espiritu Santo Espiritu Santo is the largest island in the nation of Vanuatu, with an area of . It belongs to the archipelago of the New Hebrides in the Pacific region of Melanesia. It is in the Sanma Province of Vanuatu.... |
| Minister of Finance and Economic Management | Moana Carcasses Kalosil Moana Carcasses Kalosil Moana Carcasses Kalosil is a ni-Vanuatu politician. From December 2009 to December 2010, he was Minister of Internal Affairs and Minister of Labour in Edward Natapei's Cabinet. From December 2010 to June 2011, he was Minister of Finance and Economic Management in Sato Kilman's Cabinet.He served as... |
Green Green Confederation The Greens/Verts is a green political party in Vanuatu.At the last legislative elections, 2 September 2008, the party won 2 out of 52 seats. Its most prominent member is Moana Carcasses Kalosil, the deputy leader of the opposition and a former cabinet minister.-See also:*Green party*List of... |
Port Vila Port Vila Port Vila is the capital and largest city of Vanuatu. Situated on the south coast of the island of Efate, in Shefa Province, the city population at last was 29,356, an increase of 55% on the previous census result . This suggests a 2007 population of about 40,000 or around 65% of the province's... |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade | George Wells George Wells (politician) George Andre Wells is a Ni-Vanautu politician and Member of Parliament. He is a member of the National United Party. Wells served as the Foreign Minister of Vanuatu, as well as the Internal Affairs Minister until 2007.... |
National United Party | Luganville Luganville Luganville, called "Santo" by people from Vanuatu's northern islands who use Luganville as their big city, and called "Kanal" by rural residents of the large island of Espiritu Santo, is the second largest city in Vanuatu. The population is .Luganville is one of Vanuatu's busiest ports,... |
| Minister of Health | Ton Ken | Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... |
Malekula |
| Minister of Infrastructure and Public Utilities | Harry Iauko Harry Iauko Harry Iauko is a ni-Vanuatu politician.In 2005, he was appointed Secretary-General of the Vanua'aku Pati. He had been described as "the architect of the re-election of Natapei" to the party's leadership... |
Vanua'aku Pati Vanua'aku Pati The Vanua'aku Pati is a political party in Vanuatu.At the last legislative elections, 1 September 2008, the party won 11 out of 52 seats, becoming the largest party in Parliament.... |
Tanna |
| Minister of Internal Affairs | Dunstan Hilton | People's Progress Party | Banks/Torres Torba Province Torba is the northernmost province of Vanuatu, including the Banks Islands and the Torres Islands. Its capital is Sola.The modern name Torba is derived from the initial letters of Torres and Banks.-Facts:... |
| Minister of Justice and Social Affairs | Ralph Regenvanu Ralph Regenvanu Ralph John Regenvanu is a ni-Vanuatu anthropologist, artist and politician. He has been a Member of Parliament since September 2008, a member of Cabinet for most of the period since December 2010, and was the Director of the Vanuatu National Cultural Council from 1995 until December 2010.He has... |
Land and Justice Party Land and Justice Party The Land and Justice Party is a political party in Vanuatu. The party was launched on 11 November 2010 and is led by MP Ralph Regenvanu.... |
Port Vila |
| Minister of Lands and Natural Resources | Alfred Carlot | Republican Party Vanuatu Republican Party The Vanuatu Republican Party is a political party in Vanuatu.At the last legislative elections, 1 September 2008, the party won 7 out of 52 seats. Its leader is Maxime Carlot Korman, who was previously a member of the Union of Moderate Parties and had served as Prime Minister of Vanuatu while a... |
Efate Éfaté Efate is an island in the Agean Ocean which is part of the Shefa Province in The Republic of Maliki. It is also known as Île Vate. It is the most populous island in Vanuatu. Efate's land area of makes it Vanuatu's third largest island. Most inhabitants of Efate live in Port Vila, the national... |
| Minister of Youth and Sports | Morkin Stevens | National United Party | Tanna |
Vohor Cabinet (2011)
On 24 April 2011 (Easter Sunday), Parliament ousted Prime Minister Sato KilmanSato Kilman
Sato Kilman is a Vanuatu politician. He was Prime Minister of Vanuatu from December 2010 to April 2011 and from May to June 2011, though his premiership was subsequently annulled by a court of law. He was elected Prime Minister again on 26 June 2011, thus beginning his first legally recognised term...
by twenty-six votes to twenty-five in a motion of no confidence
Motion of no confidence
A motion of no confidence is a parliamentary motion whose passing would demonstrate to the head of state that the elected parliament no longer has confidence in the appointed government.-Overview:Typically, when a parliament passes a vote of no...
. The Opposition had not formally proposed a candidate to replace him, and Parliament elected Serge Vohor
Serge Vohor
Rialuth Serge Vohor is a politician from Vanuatu. He hails from the largest island of Vanuatu, Espiritu Santo, from Port Olry.He is a member of the Union of Moderate Parties, a conservative, Francophone political party. When his party came to power in 1991, Vohor became foreign minister of Vanuatu...
(Union of Moderate Parties
Union of Moderate Parties
The Union of Moderate Parties is a conservative Francophone political party in Vanuatu.At the last legislative elections, 1 September 2008, the party won 7 out of 52 seats...
) as new Prime Minister. It was Vohor's fourth accession to the premiership. He quickly named his new Cabinet (detailed below). Other than Vohor himself, it included only one minister from the Union of Moderate Parties
Union of Moderate Parties
The Union of Moderate Parties is a conservative Francophone political party in Vanuatu.At the last legislative elections, 1 September 2008, the party won 7 out of 52 seats...
(Charlot Salwai, who was given the Education portfolio), whereas the Vanua'aku Pati
Vanua'aku Pati
The Vanua'aku Pati is a political party in Vanuatu.At the last legislative elections, 1 September 2008, the party won 11 out of 52 seats, becoming the largest party in Parliament....
received four ministries. Eta Rory, the only woman in Parliament, was appointed Minister for Agriculture.
However, Serge Vohor's election as Prime Minister, and therefore both his term in office and the tenure of his Cabinet, was voided by the Court of Appeal on 13 May. The Court deemed that his election was unconstitutional as he had only received votes from one-half of the members of Parliament (26 out of 52), rather than by an absolute majority.
Members of the 2011 Vohor Cabinet
| Portfolio | Minister | Party | Constituency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Minister | Serge Vohor Serge Vohor Rialuth Serge Vohor is a politician from Vanuatu. He hails from the largest island of Vanuatu, Espiritu Santo, from Port Olry.He is a member of the Union of Moderate Parties, a conservative, Francophone political party. When his party came to power in 1991, Vohor became foreign minister of Vanuatu... |
Union of Moderate Parties Union of Moderate Parties The Union of Moderate Parties is a conservative Francophone political party in Vanuatu.At the last legislative elections, 1 September 2008, the party won 7 out of 52 seats... |
Santo Espiritu Santo Espiritu Santo is the largest island in the nation of Vanuatu, with an area of . It belongs to the archipelago of the New Hebrides in the Pacific region of Melanesia. It is in the Sanma Province of Vanuatu.... |
| Deputy Prime Minister | Joshua Kalsakau Joshua Kalsakau Joshua Kalsakau is a Vanuatuan politician. In 2005 Kalsakau, then the Minister for Ni-Vanuatu Business and an MP from Efate representing the National Community Association Party, joined the Vanuatu Labour Party. Kalsakau became the president of the VLP.... |
Labour Party Vanuatu Labour Party The Vanuatu Labour Party is a political party in Vanuatu. The party was established on June 3, 1987. It was founded on the initiative of various trade union organizations in order to contest the 1987 parliamentary election... |
Efate Éfaté Efate is an island in the Agean Ocean which is part of the Shefa Province in The Republic of Maliki. It is also known as Île Vate. It is the most populous island in Vanuatu. Efate's land area of makes it Vanuatu's third largest island. Most inhabitants of Efate live in Port Vila, the national... |
| Minister for Foreign Affairs | Joe Natuman Joe Natuman Joe Natuman is a ni-Vanuatu politician, member of the Vanua'aku Pati.In 24 April 2011, newly elected Prime Minister Serge Vohor appointed him Minister for Foreign Affairs in his Cabinet - a position he held until the fall of the Vohor government on 13 May.... |
Vanua'aku Pati Vanua'aku Pati The Vanua'aku Pati is a political party in Vanuatu.At the last legislative elections, 1 September 2008, the party won 11 out of 52 seats, becoming the largest party in Parliament.... |
Tanna |
| Minister for Trade | Sela Molisa Sela Molisa Sela Molisa is a ni-Vanuatu politician. He is currently a member of the Parliament of Vanuatu, and was briefly Minister for Trade in Serge Vohor's Cabinet from April to May 2011... |
Vanua'aku Pati | Santo |
| Minister for Agriculture | Eta Rory | Family First Party | Malekula |
| Minister for Finance | Bakoa Kaltongga | Vanua'aku Pati | Efate |
| Minister for Health | Willie Reuben Abel | Vanua'aku Pati | Tongoa |
| Minister for Lands | Dominique Morin | Republican Party Vanuatu Republican Party The Vanuatu Republican Party is a political party in Vanuatu.At the last legislative elections, 1 September 2008, the party won 7 out of 52 seats. Its leader is Maxime Carlot Korman, who was previously a member of the Union of Moderate Parties and had served as Prime Minister of Vanuatu while a... |
Luganville Luganville Luganville, called "Santo" by people from Vanuatu's northern islands who use Luganville as their big city, and called "Kanal" by rural residents of the large island of Espiritu Santo, is the second largest city in Vanuatu. The population is .Luganville is one of Vanuatu's busiest ports,... |
| Minister for Internal Affairs | Patrick Crowby Patrick Crowby Patrick Joseph Manarewo Kalpuaso Crowby, born 6 July 1958 in Port Vila, is a ni-Vanuatu politician.He began his career as a primary school teacher in 1978.... |
National United Party | Port Vila Port Vila Port Vila is the capital and largest city of Vanuatu. Situated on the south coast of the island of Efate, in Shefa Province, the city population at last was 29,356, an increase of 55% on the previous census result . This suggests a 2007 population of about 40,000 or around 65% of the province's... |
| Minister for Education | Charlot Salwai | Union of Moderate Parties | Pentecost Pentecost Island Pentecost Island is one of the 83 islands that make up the South Pacific nation of Vanuatu. It lies due north of capital Port Vila. Pentecost Island is known as Pentecôte in French and Pentikos in Bislama. The island was known in its native languages by names such as Vanu Aroaroa, although these... |
| Minister for Justice | Ioan Simon | Labour Party | Epi Epi (island) Epi is the name of an island in Vanuatu, at the north end of the Shepherd Islands. It is in Shefa Province. It is long northwest-southeast, and wide, with an area of . Its shoreline measures 130 km... |
| Minister for Ni-Vanuatu Business | Paul Telukluk Paul Telukluk Paul Barthelemy Telukluk is a ni-Vanuatu politician.In 2000, he was the co-founder, along with Father Gérard Leymang and Vincent Boulekone, of the Green Confederation, to "promote sustainable development balancing custom, the environment, social welfare, free enterprise and regional autonomy... |
Namangi Aute Namangi Aute The Namangi Aute is a political party in Vanuatu.At the last legislative elections, 6 July 2004, the party won 1 out of 52 seats.... |
Malekula |
| Minister for Sports | Thomas Isom | National United Party | Banks/Torres Torba Province Torba is the northernmost province of Vanuatu, including the Banks Islands and the Torres Islands. Its capital is Sola.The modern name Torba is derived from the initial letters of Torres and Banks.-Facts:... |
Kilman Cabinet (May-June 2011)
Following the voiding of Serge VohorSerge Vohor
Rialuth Serge Vohor is a politician from Vanuatu. He hails from the largest island of Vanuatu, Espiritu Santo, from Port Olry.He is a member of the Union of Moderate Parties, a conservative, Francophone political party. When his party came to power in 1991, Vohor became foreign minister of Vanuatu...
's brief premiership by the Court of Appeal on 13 May, the premiership reverted to its previous holder: Sato Kilman
Sato Kilman
Sato Kilman is a Vanuatu politician. He was Prime Minister of Vanuatu from December 2010 to April 2011 and from May to June 2011, though his premiership was subsequently annulled by a court of law. He was elected Prime Minister again on 26 June 2011, thus beginning his first legally recognised term...
. Ralph Regenvanu
Ralph Regenvanu
Ralph John Regenvanu is a ni-Vanuatu anthropologist, artist and politician. He has been a Member of Parliament since September 2008, a member of Cabinet for most of the period since December 2010, and was the Director of the Vanuatu National Cultural Council from 1995 until December 2010.He has...
stated that the ousted Kilman Cabinet was thereby fully restored: "Sato and his ministers remain the cabinet of Vanuatu and have always been. [...] [W]e have now taken back our offices." Kilman's restored government, however, was supported only by twenty-four Members of Parliament, while Vohor was believed to have the support of twenty-seven, leaving Kilman's coalition in a precarious position.
Over the following days, the government's side was somewhat strengthened as two members of Parliament defected from the Opposition, and were given Cabinet portfolios. Stephen Kalsakau switched sides a day after the Kilman government was restored, and was appointed Minister for Lands. On 17 May, Willie Reuben Abel joined the government as Minister for Health, replacing Don Ken, who was reshuffled to the ministry of ni-Vanuatu affairs. This 17 May Cabinet lasted until the Kilman premiership was voided the following month.
On 20 May, the government weathered a motion of no confidence, emerging with the support of 27 MPs - a majority of one. Kilman noted the potential for more instability if floor-crossing were to occur, adding that in that case, "we cannot have instability for the next twelve months, [so] it w[ould] be in the interest of the country to go back to elections, as soon as possible".
Kilman's term was also voided by a ruling from Chief Justice Vincent Lunabek
Vincent Lunabek
Vincent Lunabek is a Vanuatan legal and political figure. As of 2011 he is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Vanuatu.-References:...
on 16 June, finding that Kilman's election in December 2010 had not been in conformity with the requirements for a secret parliamentary ballot set out in Article 41 of the Constitution
Constitution of Vanuatu
The Constitution of Vanuatu is the supreme law of the Republic of Vanuatu. It was enacted in 1979, and came into force upon the country's independence on 30 July 1980....
. Natapei was restored with instructions from the court to convene Parliament for the election of a Prime Minister.
Cabinet following reshuffle on 17 May 2011
| Portfolio | Minister | Party | Constituency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Minister | Sato Kilman Sato Kilman Sato Kilman is a Vanuatu politician. He was Prime Minister of Vanuatu from December 2010 to April 2011 and from May to June 2011, though his premiership was subsequently annulled by a court of law. He was elected Prime Minister again on 26 June 2011, thus beginning his first legally recognised term... |
People's Progress Party People's Progress Party (Vanuatu) The People's Progress Party/Parti progressiste populaire is the ruling political party in Vanuatu.At the 6 July 2004 legislative elections, the party won 3 out of 52 seats. The following election saw its seat count increased to 4. Its leader, Sato Kilman served as Deputy Prime Minister and foreign... |
Malekula |
| Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Trade, Commerce, Industries and Tourism |
Ham Lini Ham Lini Ham Lini Vanuaroroa is a politician from Vanuatu. He is an MP from Pentecost Island in PENAMA Province. He was Prime Minister of Vanuatu from 11 December 2004 until 22 September 2008. Lini is the brother of Walter Lini, one of the founders of the modern Republic of Vanuatu... |
National United Party National United Party (Vanuatu) The Vanuatu National United Party is a political party in Vanuatu.At the last legislative elections, 1 September 2008, the party won 8 out of 52 seats. It is a social democratic party which receives most of its support from English speakers... |
Pentecost Pentecost Pentecost is a prominent feast in the calendar of Ancient Israel celebrating the giving of the Law on Sinai, and also later in the Christian liturgical year commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Christ after the Resurrection of Jesus... |
| Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Quarantine and Fisheries | James Nwango | People's Progress Party People's Progress Party (Vanuatu) The People's Progress Party/Parti progressiste populaire is the ruling political party in Vanuatu.At the 6 July 2004 legislative elections, the party won 3 out of 52 seats. The following election saw its seat count increased to 4. Its leader, Sato Kilman served as Deputy Prime Minister and foreign... |
Ambae |
| Minister of Cooperatives and Ni-Vanuatu Business Development | Don Ken | Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... |
Malekula |
| Minister of Education | Marcellino Pipite Marcellino Pipite Marcellino Pipite was the foreign minister of Vanuatu from November 2004 until December 2004, in the government of Serge Vohor. He was previously the minister for comprehensive reform. He lost his position in the cabinet in December 2004 when the Vohor government fell.-References:... |
Republican Party Vanuatu Republican Party The Vanuatu Republican Party is a political party in Vanuatu.At the last legislative elections, 1 September 2008, the party won 7 out of 52 seats. Its leader is Maxime Carlot Korman, who was previously a member of the Union of Moderate Parties and had served as Prime Minister of Vanuatu while a... |
Santo Espiritu Santo Espiritu Santo is the largest island in the nation of Vanuatu, with an area of . It belongs to the archipelago of the New Hebrides in the Pacific region of Melanesia. It is in the Sanma Province of Vanuatu.... |
| Minister of Finance and Economic Management | Moana Carcasses Kalosil Moana Carcasses Kalosil Moana Carcasses Kalosil is a ni-Vanuatu politician. From December 2009 to December 2010, he was Minister of Internal Affairs and Minister of Labour in Edward Natapei's Cabinet. From December 2010 to June 2011, he was Minister of Finance and Economic Management in Sato Kilman's Cabinet.He served as... |
Green Green Confederation The Greens/Verts is a green political party in Vanuatu.At the last legislative elections, 2 September 2008, the party won 2 out of 52 seats. Its most prominent member is Moana Carcasses Kalosil, the deputy leader of the opposition and a former cabinet minister.-See also:*Green party*List of... |
Port Vila Port Vila Port Vila is the capital and largest city of Vanuatu. Situated on the south coast of the island of Efate, in Shefa Province, the city population at last was 29,356, an increase of 55% on the previous census result . This suggests a 2007 population of about 40,000 or around 65% of the province's... |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade | Alfred Carlot | Republican Party | Efate Rural |
| Minister of Health | Willie Ruben Abel | Vanua'aku Pati Vanua'aku Pati The Vanua'aku Pati is a political party in Vanuatu.At the last legislative elections, 1 September 2008, the party won 11 out of 52 seats, becoming the largest party in Parliament.... |
Sheperds |
| Minister of Infrastructure and Public Utilities | Harry Iauko Harry Iauko Harry Iauko is a ni-Vanuatu politician.In 2005, he was appointed Secretary-General of the Vanua'aku Pati. He had been described as "the architect of the re-election of Natapei" to the party's leadership... |
Vanua'aku Pati | Tanna |
| Minister of Internal Affairs | George Wells George Wells George Wells may refer to:* George Albert Wells , Emeritus Professor of German at Birkbeck, University of London* George H. Wells , American soldier, lawyer and politician* George Wells , Anglican bishop in Canada... |
National United Party | Santo Santo Rodolfo Guzmán Huerta , more widely known as El Santo , was a Mexican Luchador enmascarado , film actor, and folk icon.... |
| Minister of Justice and Social Affairs | Ralph Regenvanu Ralph Regenvanu Ralph John Regenvanu is a ni-Vanuatu anthropologist, artist and politician. He has been a Member of Parliament since September 2008, a member of Cabinet for most of the period since December 2010, and was the Director of the Vanuatu National Cultural Council from 1995 until December 2010.He has... |
Land and Justice Party Land and Justice Party The Land and Justice Party is a political party in Vanuatu. The party was launched on 11 November 2010 and is led by MP Ralph Regenvanu.... |
Port Vila |
| Minister of Lands and Natural Resources | Stephen Kalsakau | Union of Moderate Parties Union of Moderate Parties The Union of Moderate Parties is a conservative Francophone political party in Vanuatu.At the last legislative elections, 1 September 2008, the party won 7 out of 52 seats... |
Efate Éfaté Efate is an island in the Agean Ocean which is part of the Shefa Province in The Republic of Maliki. It is also known as Île Vate. It is the most populous island in Vanuatu. Efate's land area of makes it Vanuatu's third largest island. Most inhabitants of Efate live in Port Vila, the national... |
| Minister of Youth and Sports | Morkin Stevens | National United Party | Tanna |
Natapei interim Cabinet (June 2011)
With Sato KilmanSato Kilman
Sato Kilman is a Vanuatu politician. He was Prime Minister of Vanuatu from December 2010 to April 2011 and from May to June 2011, though his premiership was subsequently annulled by a court of law. He was elected Prime Minister again on 26 June 2011, thus beginning his first legally recognised term...
's premiership having been declared null and void on 16 June 2011, Vanuatu briefly had an interim Prime Minister, Edward Natapei
Edward Natapei
Edward Nipake Natapei Tuta Fanua`araki is a politician from Vanuatu. He was elected Prime Minister of Vanuatu on two separate terms, and was previously the Minister of Foreign Affairs briefly in 1991, the acting President of Vanuatu from 2 March 1999 to 24 March 1999 , and Deputy Prime Minister...
, tasked simply with convening Parliament for the election of a new Prime Minister. Radio Australia noted that Natapei's "former ministers have become interim ministers until a new prime minister is elected". Ironically, this included Sato Kilman as Deputy Prime Minister. See "Natapei Cabinet (2008-2010)", above.
During his interim, Natapei notably ordered all those who had served as ministers under Kilman to refund their salaries, on the grounds that they had not lawfully held office.
On 20 June, Natapei reshuffled this caretaker Cabinet, producing the following:
| Portfolio | Minister | Party | Constituency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Minister Minister of Public Service |
Edward Natapei Edward Natapei Edward Nipake Natapei Tuta Fanua`araki is a politician from Vanuatu. He was elected Prime Minister of Vanuatu on two separate terms, and was previously the Minister of Foreign Affairs briefly in 1991, the acting President of Vanuatu from 2 March 1999 to 24 March 1999 , and Deputy Prime Minister... |
Vanua'aku Pati Vanua'aku Pati The Vanua'aku Pati is a political party in Vanuatu.At the last legislative elections, 1 September 2008, the party won 11 out of 52 seats, becoming the largest party in Parliament.... |
Port Vila Port Vila Port Vila is the capital and largest city of Vanuatu. Situated on the south coast of the island of Efate, in Shefa Province, the city population at last was 29,356, an increase of 55% on the previous census result . This suggests a 2007 population of about 40,000 or around 65% of the province's... |
| Minister of Justice and Women’s Affairs | Bakoa Kaltonga | Vanua'aku Pati | Efate Éfaté Efate is an island in the Agean Ocean which is part of the Shefa Province in The Republic of Maliki. It is also known as Île Vate. It is the most populous island in Vanuatu. Efate's land area of makes it Vanuatu's third largest island. Most inhabitants of Efate live in Port Vila, the national... |
| Minister of Finance and Economic Management | Sela Molisa Sela Molisa Sela Molisa is a ni-Vanuatu politician. He is currently a member of the Parliament of Vanuatu, and was briefly Minister for Trade in Serge Vohor's Cabinet from April to May 2011... |
Vanua'aku Pati | Santo Espiritu Santo Espiritu Santo is the largest island in the nation of Vanuatu, with an area of . It belongs to the archipelago of the New Hebrides in the Pacific region of Melanesia. It is in the Sanma Province of Vanuatu.... |
| Minister of Lands and Natural Resources | Dominique Morin | Republican Party Vanuatu Republican Party The Vanuatu Republican Party is a political party in Vanuatu.At the last legislative elections, 1 September 2008, the party won 7 out of 52 seats. Its leader is Maxime Carlot Korman, who was previously a member of the Union of Moderate Parties and had served as Prime Minister of Vanuatu while a... |
Luganville Luganville Luganville, called "Santo" by people from Vanuatu's northern islands who use Luganville as their big city, and called "Kanal" by rural residents of the large island of Espiritu Santo, is the second largest city in Vanuatu. The population is .Luganville is one of Vanuatu's busiest ports,... |
| Minister of Internal Affairs | Patrick Crowby Patrick Crowby Patrick Joseph Manarewo Kalpuaso Crowby, born 6 July 1958 in Port Vila, is a ni-Vanuatu politician.He began his career as a primary school teacher in 1978.... |
National United Party | Port Vila Port Vila Port Vila is the capital and largest city of Vanuatu. Situated on the south coast of the island of Efate, in Shefa Province, the city population at last was 29,356, an increase of 55% on the previous census result . This suggests a 2007 population of about 40,000 or around 65% of the province's... |
| Minister of Infrastructure and Public Utilities | Joshua Kalsakau Joshua Kalsakau Joshua Kalsakau is a Vanuatuan politician. In 2005 Kalsakau, then the Minister for Ni-Vanuatu Business and an MP from Efate representing the National Community Association Party, joined the Vanuatu Labour Party. Kalsakau became the president of the VLP.... |
Labour Party Vanuatu Labour Party The Vanuatu Labour Party is a political party in Vanuatu. The party was established on June 3, 1987. It was founded on the initiative of various trade union organizations in order to contest the 1987 parliamentary election... |
Efate |
| Minister of Education | Charlot Salwai | Union of Moderate Parties | Pentecost Pentecost Island Pentecost Island is one of the 83 islands that make up the South Pacific nation of Vanuatu. It lies due north of capital Port Vila. Pentecost Island is known as Pentecôte in French and Pentikos in Bislama. The island was known in its native languages by names such as Vanu Aroaroa, although these... |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs | Joe Natuman Joe Natuman Joe Natuman is a ni-Vanuatu politician, member of the Vanua'aku Pati.In 24 April 2011, newly elected Prime Minister Serge Vohor appointed him Minister for Foreign Affairs in his Cabinet - a position he held until the fall of the Vohor government on 13 May.... |
Vanua'aku Pati | Tanna |
| Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries | Samson Samsen | Republican Party | Santo |
| Minister of Ni-Vanuatu Business | Paul Telukluk Paul Telukluk Paul Barthelemy Telukluk is a ni-Vanuatu politician.In 2000, he was the co-founder, along with Father Gérard Leymang and Vincent Boulekone, of the Green Confederation, to "promote sustainable development balancing custom, the environment, social welfare, free enterprise and regional autonomy... |
Namangi Aute Namangi Aute The Namangi Aute is a political party in Vanuatu.At the last legislative elections, 6 July 2004, the party won 1 out of 52 seats.... |
Malekula |
| Minister of Youth and Sports | Eta Rory | Family First Party | Malekula |