Major reshuffle of Ministerial responsibilities in Cabinet

Midway through the current Parliamentary term, the FijiFirst Government has decided to reinvigorate the Cabinet with a reshuffle of Ministerial responsibilities.

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says this reshuffle will enhance their ability to continue to provide the high level of service that the Fijian people have come to expect.

Bainimarama will be assuming the role of Foreign Minister in addition to his current duties as Prime Minister, Minister for i-Taukei Affairs and Minister for Sugar.

The current Foreign Minister, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, will move to the Defence, National Security and Immigration portfolio. 

The other changes are as follows:

Rosy Akbar has been appointed the new Minister for Health and Medical Services, replacing Jone Usamate, who moves to the position of Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations.

The current Employment Minister, Semi Koroilavesau, becomes Minister for Fisheries.

Osea Naiqamu, the current Minister for Fisheries and Forestry, retains the portfolio of Minister for Forestry.

The current Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism, Faiyaz Koya, retains those responsibilities but is given the additional portfolio of Lands and Mineral Resources.

An assistant minister will be appointed in due course. 

The current Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources, Mereseini Vuniwaqa, will assume the position of Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation.

In addition to these full members of the Cabinet, Bainimarama has decided to appoint the current Assistant Minister for Health and Medical Services, Veena Bhatnagar to the position of Assistant Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, reporting to Minister Vuniwaqa and focussing on enhancing the rights of disabled people.

She will be replaced at Health by Alex O’Connor, who will become the new Assistant Minister for Health and Medical Services, focussing on public health.

Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Parveen Bala and Mahendra Reddy’s portfolios have not been changed.