CHIEF Minister Andrew Barr has unveiled his new look cabinet today (November 3) declaring it the first female majority cabinet in the ACT.
Of the three Greens, six Labor cabinet members, five are women and four are men, with Mr Barr describing the new cabinet as a reflection of the diversity in the ACT community.
The Chief Minister’s right hand woman, Yvette Berry, will remain as deputy leader and continue in the role as Education Minister and Early Childhood Development Minister. Ms Berry will also take on the youth affairs portfolio.
The ACT Greens has been rewarded for its strong showing at the recent election, trebling its representation in the Barr government.
Greens leader Shane Rattenbury, the party’s sole frontbencher in the last administration, has been joined by colleagues Rebecca Vassarotti and Emma Davidson in cabinet.
Mr Rattenbury has swapped his role as Climate Change and Sustainability Minister, Corrections and Justice Health Minister, Justice, Consumer Affairs and Road Safety Minister, and Mental Health Minister for Attorney General, replacing the defeated Gordon Ramsay.
In an unexpected move, Tara Cheyne, an MLA since 2016, was appointed Minister for Business and Better Regulation, replacing former Minister Suzanne Orr who will spend this term on the backbench.
Ms Cheyne will also be the ACT’s new Minister for Human Rights.
Mick Gentleman will continue as Minister for Planning and Land Management. He also adds Corrections and Industrial Relations and Workplace Safety to his portfolios.
Rachel Stephen-Smith will continue as the ACT’s Minister for Health and Chris Steel will continue as the ACT’s Transport and City Services Minister and Minister for Skills. Mr Steel also takes on a new role as Special Minister of State, overseeing reforms to improve the ACT’s electoral system.
New Green’s MLA, Rebecca Vassarotti has been brought straight into cabinet as Minister for the Environment, as well as Minister for Sustainable Building and Construction.
The other new Green’s MLA Emma Davidson, will enter the Ministry as Assistant Minister for Families and Community Services, Minister for Disability, Minister for Justice Health and Minister for Mental Health.
Barr said all the positions were assigned on merit.
The new cabinet will meet for the first time next week.
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