In today’s session of the Council of State the King has appointed Ms. Ellen Inga Olavsdatter Hætta (51), director of the Norwegian Reindeer Administration, Kautokeino, as state secretary for Ms. Erna Solberg in the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development from 22 October 2004. She will succeed Mr. Anders Eira, who was honourably discharged from the office on 8 October.

Ms. Hætta is a trained teacher and has also studied Sami literature, culture and language. In 1992-1993 she attended the main course of Norway’s Defence College.

Ellen Inga O. Hætta was primary school teacher in Kautokeino 1973-1987, director of the Sami Education Council 1994-1999 and deputy director general at the Sami Parliament 1999-2001. Since 2001 she is director of the Norwegian Reindeer Administration. Since 1981 she has held a number of elected positions on the municipal and regional level. She was moderator of Kautokeino Municipal Council 1988-1991, is member of the board of the University of Tromsø and of the board of Regional Health Enterprise North. She was moderator of Kautokeino Conservative Party 1992-1994.

The Government represents the Conservative Party (C), the Christian Democratic Party (CD) and the Liberal Party (L).
The list of state secretaries looks as below from 22 October 2004.

For Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik:
Ms. Kari Husøy (CD)
Mr. Eirik Moen (C)
Mr. Gunnar Kvassheim (L)
Mr. Odd Jostein Sæter (CD)
Mr. Gunnar Husan (CD)
Ms. Siv Nordrum (CD)

For Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Petersen:
Mr. Kim Traavik (C)
Mr. Vidar Helgesen (C)
Ms. Sylvi Graham (C)

For Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Erna Solberg:
Mr. Frank Jenssen (C)
Ms. Cathrin Bretzeg (C)
Ms. Ellen Inga Hætta (C)

For Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Dagfinn Høybråten:
Ms. Kristin Ravnanger (CD)
Mr. Helge Eide (CD)

For Minister of Agriculture and Food Lars Sponheim:
Mr. Leif Helge Kongshaug (L)

For Minister of Finance Per-Kristian Foss:
Mr. Øystein Børmer (C)
Ms. Kari Elisabeth Olrud Moen (C) – on leave from 21 April 2004.
Mr. Harald Solberg (CD)
Ms. Helle Hammer (C) – acting from 18 June 2004.

For Minister of Justice and the Police Odd Einar Dørum:
Ms. Rita Sletner (L)
Mr. Trond Prytz (L)

For Minister of Culture and Church Affairs Valgerd Svarstad Haugland:
Revd. Berit Øksnes Gjerløw (CD)
Mr. Yngve Slettholm (CD)

For Minister of International Development Affairs Hilde Frafjord Johnson:
Mr. Olav Kjørven (CD)

For Minister of Children and Family Affairs Laila Dåvøy:
Mr. Hans Olav Syversen (CD)

For Minister of Education and Research Kristin Clemet:
Mr. Bjørn Haugstad (C)
Mr. Helge Ole Bergesen (C)

For Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs Svein Ludvigsen:
Ms. Janne Johnsen (C)

For Minister of Health and Care Services Ansgar Gabrielsen:
Mr. Jan Otto Risebrobakken (C)
Ms. Elisabeth Aspaker (C)

For Minister of Transport and Communications Torild Skogsholm:
Mr. Arnfinn Torbjørn Ellingsen (L)

For Minister of Defence Kristin Krohn Devold:
Mr. Bård Glad Pedersen (C)

For Minister of Trade and Industry Børge Brende:
Mr. Lars Jacob Hiim (C)
Ms. Tone Skogen (C)

For Minister of Modernisation Morten Andreas Meyer:
Mr. Eirk Lae Solberg (C)

For Minister of Petroleum and Energy Thorhild Widvey:
Mr. Oluf Ulseth (C)

For Minister of the Environment Knut Arild Hareide:
Mr. Øyvind Håbrekke (CD)