Government Ministries

There are almost 20 individual government ministries; with most possessing a wide range of responsibility. Each ministry is headed by a minister who is charged with the responsibility of the department in question. Ministers are selected by the prime minister, and appointed by the Governor-General. These ministries are then often sub-divided into a variety of related departments and agencies. Major examples include the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Public Utilities, the Ministry of the Attorney General and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The top civil servant in each ministry is called the permanent secretary.