Minister Barr: Refreshed team to deliver for Canberrans
- Written by ACT Government
Released 26/08/2019
A renewed ACT Ministry will continue to work on delivering the guarantees we have made to support our growing city.
In the coming weeks, the ACT Government will release a comprehensive Infrastructure Plan, outlining the investments required to cater for a growing population in both our town centres and our suburbs. The Government will also release our Climate Change Strategy, with a plan to continue our nation leading reforms to become a more sustainable and liveable city in the future.
With the Legislative Assembly passing the 2019-20 Budget, the Government will also start work on delivering a number of significant investments that will ensure we can continue to deliver the services Canberrans expect. This includes the new emergency and critical care facility on the Canberra Hospital campus (the SPIRE Centre) and the next stage of Canberra’s light rail network linking Gungahlin to the Woden Town Centre.
The newest member of the Cabinet Minister Orr will take on the Disability portfolio for the Government, with oversight of the Territory’s complete transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme. The ACT was the first State or Territory Government to fully transition to the new scheme, and Minister Orr will ensure that Canberrans in the scheme receive the support they need.
Minister Orr will also have responsibility for the Community Services and Facilities portfolio, the Employment and Workplace Safety portfolio and the Government Services and Procurement Portfolio. These responsibilities includes oversight of the ACT’s Secure Local Jobs code, which ensures that companies tendering for work with the ACT Government treat their employees fairly.
I have also asked Labor MLA for Ginninderra Tara Cheyne to support me as the Special Secretary to the Chief Minister. This non-executive role recognises Tara’s recent work in advocating on a number of important social policy reforms, including voluntary assisted dying. Tara has also been a passionate voice for Canberrans that are being ripped off by petrol companies through her work as the Chair of the Select Committee on Fuel Pricing in the ACT.
In this role, Tara will provide assistance and support to the Chief Minister. This includes our efforts to have the Andrews Bill overturned in the Federal Parliament – allowing Canberrans the full democratic rights provided to other Australians. Tara will also spend time consulting with the community to identify market failures that are leading to poorer outcomes for Canberra consumers.
This is a refreshed team that is committed to delivering on the guarantees we have made – to hire more nurses and teachers, to protect our public assets and to ensure that we continue to deliver the services Canberrans expect as our city grows.
- Statement ends -
Section: Andrew Barr, MLA | Media Releases
