The Office of the Prime Minister has from 10 May 2004 appointed Mr. John-Ragnar Kvam Aarset (30), deputy head of secretariat, Oslo, as political advisor in the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development.

John-Ragnar Kvam Aarset grew up in Hol in Hallingdal, and has exams in political science and history at the University of Oslo. He now comes from the post as deputy head of secretariat and press officer at the Conservative Party’s group in the Storting. Mr. Kvam Aarset has earlier worked at Konsensus AS, he has been leader of the Young Conservatives of Norway, and has also been a teacher. He has been deputy member of the Storting for the County of Buskerud, member of Buskerud County Council and member of Hol Municipal Council. Mr. Kvam Aarset has also held elected posts on the Conservative Party’s central board, Buskerud Conservative Party and Norsk Målungdom – the youth movement of the New-Norwegian Language Society.

The Government represents the Conservative Party (C), the Christian Democratic Party (Chr.) and the Liberal Party (Lib.). The list of political advisors now looks as follows:

Office of the Prime Minister:
Mr. Øistein Mjærum (Chr.)
Ms. Wenche Fone (Chr.) – leave of absence from 8 March 2004.
Ms. Torunn Elise Kvisberg (Chr.) – acting from 3 March 2004.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (foreign affairs):
Ms. Marit Berger (C)

Ministry of Finance:
Mr. Kaj-Martin Georgsen (C)

Ministry of Health:
Mr. Pål Christian Roland (Chr.)
Ms. Line Henriette Holten Hjemdal (Chr.)
Mr. Aksel Jakobsen (Chr.)

Ministry of Agriculture:
Ms. Alvhild Hedstein (Lib.)
Mr. Geir Olsen (Lib.)

Ministry of Justice and the Police:
Ms. Marit Helene Meyer (Lib.)

Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs:
Mr. Gjermund Løyning (Chr.)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (international development affairs):
Mr. David Hansen (Chr.)

Ministry of Petroleum and Energy:
Ms. Astrid Apalset Vassbø (Chr.)

Ministry of Children and Family Affairs:
Ms. Ruth Leonore Stenersen (Chr.)

Ministry of Education and Research:
Ms. Elisabeth Aspaker (C)

Ministry of Fisheries:
Ms. Jorhill Andreassen (C)

Ministry of Social Affairs:
Ms. Anniken Hauglie (C) – leave of absence from 20 May 2004
Ms. Kristin Holm (C) – acting from 21 April 2004

Ministry of Trade and Industry:
Mr. Bernt Jørgen Stray (C)

Ministry of Transport and Communications:
Mr. Alfred Jens Bjørlo (Lib.) - leave of absence from 13 April 2004
Mr. Sverre Molandsveen (Lib.) - acting from 13 April 2004

Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development:
Mr. Roger Iversen (C)
Mr. John-Ragnar Kvam Aarset (C)

Ministry of Defence:
Bengt Eidem (C)

Ministry of the Environment:
Mr. Bjørn Johnny Skaar (C)

Ministry of Labour and Government Administration:
Ms. Anne Haabeth Rygg (C)