Kali gets Aust job

By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
PERSONNEL Management Secretary John Kali is expected to take up his new appointment as PNG’s High Commissioner to Australia on a four-year term soon.
The National Executive Council, which approved his appointment in a meeting last month, has directed Public Service Minister Elias Kapavore to revoke Kali’s appointment as Personnel Management Secretary to allow him to take up his new posting in Canberra “as soon as possible”.
Kapavore told The National yesterday that he had been away when the NEC made the decision and was yet to be briefed on it.
Kali said yesterday he was aware of the NEC decision but was yet to receive an official confirmation of the appointment.
Sir Charles Lepani had been serving as PNG High Commission to Australia from 2005 to 2017 – one of the longest-serving PNG diplomats.
Sir Charles was recently involved in the preparations for the Apec meeting later this year.
In other appointments, Winnie Kiap has been reappointed for another two years as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and accredited countries including Israel, Egypt, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Moses Kaugl has been appointed Ambassador to Japan for four years, with accreditation to the International Tropical Timber Organisation.
The NEC also reappointed Alexis Maino for another four-year term as the roving ambassador to the Federal State of Micronesia and the Republic of Marshall Islands.
The NEC directed the Personnel Management Secretary to prepare the contracts of employments for the newly-appointed heads of mission.
The NEC also approved the closure of the Kundu Tapei, Taiwan mission and the establishment of a trade office with no consular service.