The People’s Alliance, National Federation Party and the Social Democratic Liberal Party have agreed that the Ministerial portfolio allocation will remain the prerogative of the Prime Minister, in consultations with the coalition partners.
This was made public after the coalition partners signed the Coalition Agreement, last week, sealing the deal for the Coalition Government moving forward.
The agreement indicated there will be a cabinet of no more than 20 ministers, while the Prime Minister will be a member of the People’s Alliance and the three Deputy Prime Ministers are from the NFP, SODELPA and PAP’s.
The agreement stated that the SODELPA ministers will hold the portfolios of iTaukei Affairs, Education, Tourism and Civil Aviation.
The agreement highlighted that all Ministers will be bound by a Ministerial code of conduct and subject to sanctions, including dismissal, for any substantive breaches or conducts otherwise unbecoming of a Minister in Government to ensure that consultations take place with coalition partners.
The agreement also indicated that the position of Acting Prime Minister shall be filled by rotation among the three Deputy Prime Ministers.
The agreement further stated if any SODELPA Minister resigns from Parliament and is replaced by another SODELPA member as an MP, the proportionate allocation of portfolios shall be maintained and the new SODELPA MP shall be offered Ministerial portfolios after appropriate discussion with the other SODELPA MPs.
The agreement says the principles of confidentiality of Cabinet deliberations will be fully respected and if investigative or disciplinary actions are required against any Minister or other persons in the event of a breach, it will be supported and endorsed by all parties.
