New Assistant Minister appointed - will a Children's Minister be next?

Saturday 05 December 2015

A new Assistant Treasury Minister has been appointed to replace Deputy Tracey Vallois - but the Chief Minister has hinted that he's thinking about a bigger appointment: a minister for children.

St Peter Constable John Refault was announced as the new face at the Treasury department, taking over from Deputy Vallois - who quit last month citing her frustration at the dysfunctional way that the States operates.

And Senator Gorst says that because Mr Refault already has responsibility as an assistant minister at the Health department, he can still make a further appointment - and that he's considering about a new ministerial role entirely.

Treasury Minister Alan Maclean welcomed the new appointment.

He said: "Connétable Refault has previously served as Assistant Minister to Treasury and Resources in the last government and he therefore brings considerable knowledge and experience of the role. I have already discussed with Connétable Refault the areas that we have agreed that he will take responsibility and accountability for on Treasury and Resources behalf and these will include specific responsibility for The States of Jersey Development Company (SoJDC)."