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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - After a lengthy tenure handling the premier's media affairs, Julia Mott's time as cabinet press secretary is over.

Mott, cabinet's communications co-ordinator, was side-by-side with Premier Floyd Roland as he gave interviews in the legislative assembly late Tuesday afternoon.

But on Wednesday morning, she was gone.

Drew Williams, manager of communications with the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, was answering Mott's phone Wednesday.

He said he will be filling the position in the interim.

"Julia has moved from her cabinet communications co-ordinator's position and will be taking another government position," he said.

Williams said Roland would not be commenting on the "personnel change" and whether Mott was fired or if she resigned.

Mott had served as cabinet's spokesperson for nearly five years - beginning in early 2004.

She had held the position during much of former premier Joe Handley's reign as government leader.

Some of the responsibilities of the cabinet communications co-ordinator include issuing press releases, setting up press conferences, and scheduling interviews for territorial ministers.

Much has been made about communication issues in the legislative assembly, with regular MLAs going so far as to raise a non-confidence motion against cabinet last week because things had deteriorated so far.

"I've said before, and many members have said before, communication from cabinet is an issue," said Frame Lake MLA Wendy Bisaro. "It's not a new issue."

"Something has to improve."

While she did not want to speculate on why Mott is no longer in the job, she said a new person may bring some new ideas.

"Anytime you get somebody new in the position, you get a fresh set of eyes," she said.

Bisaro said the cabinet press secretary is not involved with behind-the-scenes communication between MLAs in the legislative assembly, but she does deal with the secretary to speak with ministers when they are out of town.

Some MLAs and staff at the legislative assembly suggested she was made a "scapegoat" for cabinet's communication breakdowns.

Mott could not be reached by press time.