LABOR’S success in the ACT election will again see the party form a coalition government with the ACT Greens, but Chief Minister Andrew Barr flagged that only Greens leader Shane Rattenbury will sit on cabinet. 

“[I’m] not going to throw someone in the deep end,” said Mr Barr this morning, saying former Labor chief minister Jon Stanhope threw him into the deep end in 2006. Mr Barr then followed by saying his plans for new Greens MLAs, which so far include Emma Davidson in Murrumbidgee, Rebecca Vassarotti in Kurrajong, Jo Clay in Ginninderra, and Andrew Braddock in Yerrabi, will be “sensible”. 

“It is a very big ask for a brand new MLA to come in and a week later be a minister unless they have considerable experience in a particular portfolio area or considerable political or administrative experience,” he said. 

Instead, Mr Barr said he’ll let new MLAs spend their first year learning the ropes before they come into a ministerial position.

Also, he said: “We’ve got good, experienced ministers, who I want to see continuing in their roles.” 

But, Mr Barr said his preference is for the two parties to work under an alliance model.

“I prefer the alliance model that sees the second party, part of the government rather than sitting on the cross bench,” he said.

“That’s a more effective way to contribute and to manage the two-party issues.”

On Saturday, Mr Rattenbury said he will not start negotiations with ACT Labor until he has spoken to their party membership first.

Greens push to have a few MLAs in cabinet