Prime Minister James Marape has today announced a ministerial reshuffle, appointing Hon. Joseph Lelang as the new Treasurer while moving long-serving Treasurer Hon. Ian Ling-Stuckey to the Ministry for Rural and Economic Development.
The reshuffle comes as the Marape-Rosso Government prepares to deliver the 2027 National Budget ahead of next year’s National General Election.
Prime Minister Marape paid special tribute to Ling-Stuckey, acknowledging his dedication, loyalty and commitment to working alongside him in managing Papua New Guinea’s economy over the past seven years.
Marape described Ling-Stuckey as one of the hardest-working ministers in his Cabinet, saying he had carried enormous responsibilities on behalf of the Government, often at considerable personal cost to his health, family and electorate.
“Hon. Ian Ling-Stuckey has served very well as Treasurer over the past seven years. He has carried an enormous responsibility on behalf of the entire Government, often at considerable personal cost to his health, family and electorate,” Marape said.
“I commend his character, dedication and strong leadership, and sincerely thank his family and the people of Kavieng for allowing him to carry this national responsibility.”
Marape recalled appointing Ling-Stuckey as Treasurer in 2019 and entrusting him with the difficult task of restructuring Papua New Guinea’s debt profile, reducing reliance on expensive commercial borrowing, securing cheaper financing arrangements and growing the national economy.
He acknowledged that Ling-Stuckey had worked closely with his Government through challenging economic circumstances, helping to lay the foundations for fiscal consolidation and a return to a balanced national budget.
The Prime Minister said PNG’s economy had grown from approximately K79 billion in 2019 to nearly K160 billion under Ling-Stuckey’s stewardship.
“He has assisted me very well in managing the economy, restructuring our debt and laying the foundations for fiscal consolidation and a return to a balanced budget,” Marape said.
Marape stressed that Ling-Stuckey’s reassignment was intended to relieve him of the intense pressures associated with managing Treasury while retaining his considerable economic experience within Cabinet.
He said the former Treasurer would continue contributing to national economic development through economic modelling, price control considerations, labour mobility programmes, rural development strategies and matters relating to the National Economic and Fiscal Commission.
“This is a lighter but equally important responsibility. He will continue contributing to our economic progress while having greater opportunity to attend to his health, family and the people of Kavieng,” Marape said.
Meanwhile, incoming Treasurer Joseph Lelang has been directed to consolidate existing economic reforms, reduce reliance on borrowing, attract foreign investment and develop a fairer taxation system.
Marape said Lelang would also be responsible for strengthening Treasury’s role as the Government’s principal economic policy adviser.
“We must cease reliance on new borrowing and review our debt profile. The next few years must be about growing our economy through investment and productivity, rather than continuing to depend on loans,” Marape said.
The Prime Minister also directed the new Treasurer to review GST, stamp duties, personal income tax, corporate tax and other government fees and charges, with the aim of reducing the financial burden on ordinary Papua New Guineans and businesses.
He said the Government remained committed to returning to a balanced budget in 2027 while accelerating major resource projects, including Papua LNG, P’nyang LNG, Wafi-Golpu, Frieda River and Yandera.
Marape reaffirmed that Ling-Stuckey would remain a senior member of Cabinet and continue contributing to the country’s development.
“Hon. Ling-Stuckey has carried a tremendous national load for seven years. He deserves some breathing space, and he will remain a senior member of our Cabinet and continue contributing to the development of our country.”
The Prime Minister thanked both ministers for their understanding, cooperation and continued commitment to serving Papua New Guinea.