NEW ACT Greens Minister Shane Rattenbury has pledged to progress a needle and syringe program for the Alexander Maconochie Centre and deliver improved buses and light rail through the five portfolios he has been given in the new-look ACT government cabinet.

Chief Minister Katy Gallagher announced portfolio responsibilities for ACT Labor Ministers Deputy Chief Minister Andrew Barr, Simon Corbell, Joy Burch and Rattenbury today at the Legislative Assembly.

Rattenbury was handed the portfolios of Territory and Municipal Services, Corrections and Housing along with the role of Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs and Minister for Ageing.

He says he is feeling “very positive” about his opportunities through the portfolios, which span a range of social and environmental issues.

“Territory and Municipal Services (TAMS) provides many of the services that Canberrans enjoy daily, such as building and maintaining paths and roads, libraries and waste management,” he says.

“My goal will be to deliver these local Government services effectively and efficiently, as well as to continue improvements and innovate in key areas.”

Meanwhile, Gallagher will assume whole of government responsibilities, along with the additional responsibilities of Regional Development and Higher Education.

She confirmed she will also retain the Health portfolio.

“A massive reform agenda is underway across the health system and it will be a privilege to serve alongside all the doctors, nurses, allied health professionals and administrators as we continue to build and improve a regional public health system,” she says.

Joy Burch will take over from Chris Bourke as Education Minister, and retain portfolio responsibility for Disability, Children and Young people, as well as Minister for the Arts, Women and Multicultural Affairs and Minister for Racing and Gaming.

Deputy Chief Minister Andrew Barr will retain the portfolios of Treasurer, Minister for Economic Development, Sport and Recreation, Tourism and Events and will add the new responsibility of Minister for Community Services.

Simon Corbell, will be the Attorney General, along with Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development and Minister for Police and Emergency Services.

ACT Government Ministerial Portfolios

Katy Gallagher

• Chief Minister
• Minister for Health
• Minister for Regional Development
• Minister for Higher Education

Andrew Barr

• Deputy Chief Minister
• Treasurer
• Minister for Economic Development
• Minister for Community Services
• Minister for Sport and Recreation
• Minister for Tourism and Events

Simon Corbell

• Attorney General
• Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development
• Minister for Police and Emergency Services
• Minister for Workplace Safety and Industrial Relations

Joy Burch

• Minister for Education and Training
• Minister for Disability, Children and Young People
• Minister for Arts
• Minister for Women
• Minister for Multicultural Affairs
• Minister for Racing and Gaming

Shane Rattenbury

• Minister for Territory and Municipal Services
• Minister for Corrections
• Minister for Housing
• Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs
• Minister for Ageing