Surprise changes in the Cabinet in Fiji

A reshuffling of portfolios and the surprise resignation—for “family reasons”—of Minister for Finance Mr. Wesley Barrett immediately after his re-election, preceded the formation of a new Fiji Cabinet in May.

The Cabinet has been enlarged from 12 to 14 members.

Prime Minister Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara is responsible for foreign and home affairs, assisted by Deputy Prime Minister Ratu Sir Edward Cakobau (formerly Minister for Labour). New Minister for Labour is Mr. Jonati Mavoa; Minister of Urban Development, Housing and Social Welfare is Mr. Vijay R. Singh; Minister for Education, Youth and Sport is Mr. Jone Naisara; Minister for Health is Mr. J. Shankar Singh. Mr. M. T. Khan heads the Ministry for Commerce, Industries and Co-operatives and Mr. Charles Stinson replaces Mr. Barrett as Minister for Finance.

Former Leader of Government Business in the Senate, Ratu Penaia Ganilau has been appointed Minister for Communications, Works and Tourism, Ratu Penaia resigned from the Senate to contest the elections in a constituency long recognised as an Opposition stronghold. He lost by 1,445 votes to NFP candidate Captain Atunaisa Maitoga, but was persuaded by the Prime Minister—in the interests of the nation—to rejoin the Senate and take on a Ministry.

Mr. Doug Brown retains his portfolio as Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forests; Ratu William Toganivalu is Minister for Fijian Affairs and Local Government; Ratu Josua Toganivalu is Minister for Lands, Mines and Mineral Resources. Ratu George Cakobau, formerly Minister for Fijian Affairs and Local Government, has been appointed Minister without Portfolio and Mr. John Falvey has been appointed to the Senate and remains Attorney-General.