Willie Jimmy

In this ni-Vanuatu name, the family name is Jimmy, and the traditional name is Tapangararua. The subject is usually referred to by the family name.

Willie Jimmy Tapangararua, often just referred to as Willie Jimmy, is a Vanuatu politician with the National United Party.[1]

Career

Jimmy formerly served as Vanuatu's Minister of Finance.[2] In 2003, he was nominated to be the country's Deputy Prime Minister, but at the last minute was switched to the Minister of Trade position, so that the NUP president could be nominated in his place, as part of a coalition-building strategy.[3] He would go on to play a role in relations with China as his country's first ambassador to China, appointed in 2009.[2][4]

On 23 March 2013, new Prime Minister Moana Carcasses Kalosil appointed him Minister for Finance.[5] On 10 May, Carcasses sacked him, "amid reports the veteran politician was in talks with the opposition about a possible defection", which Jimmy denied. Maki Simelum, who had been Minister for Justice, replaced him, while Silas Yatan (Greens, MP for Tanna) was given the Justice portfolio.[6] Jimmy joined the Opposition. On 26 February 2014, facing defections to the Opposition, Carcasses offered Cabinet positions to Opposition MPs, so as to shore up his parliamentary majority. Jimmy was one of those who defected to Carcasses' government for a Cabinet job; he was appointed Minister for Trade - replacing Daniel Toara, was dismissed to make room for him.[7] Jimmy lost office when the Carcasses government was brought down by a motion of no confidence on 15 May 2014.[8]

Other

Jean Paul Virelala of the Ministry of Education filed a defamation suit against Jimmy, CEO Terry Kerr of Air Vanuatu, and the Vanuatu Daily Post over 2007 comments by the former two published in the latter organ; the newspaper quoted Jimmy as saying in relation to Virelala's consultancy work for the airline that "I am concerned that Mr. Virelala will be wanting to get back at the current management for his dismissal and it will create problems." However, the suit was thrown out in October 2010.[9]

In November 2014, he stated publicly that like many indigenous Melanesians he believes in witchcraft, and that the practice of witchcraft should be punished with the death penalty.[10]

References

  1. ↑ "Jimmy's defeat loss to Vanuatu", Vanuatu Daily Post, 2008-09-06, retrieved 2010-11-29
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Minister confirms appointment", Vanuatu Daily Post, 2009-05-22, retrieved 2010-11-29
  3. ↑ "Willie Jimmy unhappy at failing to secure Vanuatu deputy premiership", Asia Africa Intelligence Wire, 2003-12-02, retrieved 2010-11-29
  4. ↑ "Chinese Club donate Vt1.4m supplies to landslide victims", Vanuatu Daily Post, 2009-06-23, retrieved 2010-11-29
  5. ↑ "Nation's interest first: Carcasses". Vanuatu Daily Post. 26 March 2013.
  6. ↑ "Sacked Vanuatu Finance Minister feels betrayed by PM", Radio New Zealand International, 10 May 2013
  7. ↑ "Chaos reigns in Vanuatu politics. Again", Radio Australia, 26 February 2014
  8. ↑ "Natuman names cabinet line-up", Vanuatu Digest, 16 May 2014
  9. ↑ Neil-Jones, Marc (2010-10-09), "Virelala loses defamation case", Vanuatu Daily Post, retrieved 2010-11-29
  10. ↑ "Vanuatu MP wants death penalty for witchcraft", Radio Australia, 21 November 2014