Minister Barr: A progressive and proven ACT Cabinet

Released 07/11/2024

Delivering new infrastructure, increasing housing supply, making public healthcare more accessible and cost of living relief will be priority areas for the ACT Labor Government this parliamentary term.

We will continue to deliver the infrastructure our city needs – from the big, once-in-a-generation projects like the Northside Hospital, Canberra Lyric Theatre and the Canberra Aquatic Centre to more social housing, extending light rail and the local projects that make our suburbs great places to live.

With the ACT’s population set to reach 500,000 people by the end of 2027, ongoing increases in the supply of housing will be required to meet demand. We know that Canberrans want more homes to buy and rent across the city, and the Government will put in place a practical plan to enable 30,000 more homes for Canberra’s growing population.

In addition to new suburban housing, the Government will encourage the construction of new, well-designed ‘missing middle’ housing in established suburbs. We will also deliver 5,000 additional public, community and affordable rental dwellings in Canberra by the end of 2030.

To achieve this ambitious goal, the Government will partner with the Commonwealth Government and the Community Housing Sector to deliver more public, community and affordable rentals across the city.

Labor put forward a comprehensive plan to continue record investment into our local schools. We will invest $150 million to upgrade the public schools that Canberra knows and loves. We will upgrade toilets, classrooms, playgrounds, green spaces and staff rooms at public schools right across the city.

Alongside the extension of light rail to Commonwealth Park, the Government will progressively increase bus service frequency to every 20 minutes on weekdays throughout the term starting in 2025. We will purchase an additional 110 electric buses over the next four years. With more buses, we can deliver more bus services, including new rapid services across the city.

The Government's ambitious infrastructure program will be delivered by the expanded and renamed agency Infrastructure Canberra, formerly known as Major Projects Canberra.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr will be the Ministerial lead in the Government’s infrastructure delivery and chair the Cabinet sub-committee tasked with oversight of the program.

Deputy Chief Minister Yvette Berry will be the Minister for Homes and New Suburbs and will oversee an ambitious plan to deliver 30,000 new homes by 2030 and the 5,000 new social, affordable and public houses.

Chris Steel will be the ACT’s new Treasurer and will be responsible for developing the ACT Budget. Rachel Stephen-Smith will take on a new portfolio as Minister for Finance and Minister for the Public Service, leading work to review governmental programmes and modernise the ACT public service, strengthen accountability and improve service delivery.

The Expenditure Review Committee will continue to be chaired by the Chief Minister, with work set to begin on delivering the immediate cost-of-living commitments Labor took to the election.

There have been significant demands on the Territory Budget over the past four years. In order to maintain the necessary fiscal headroom to respond to future challenges the city faces, then we must continue to exercise prudent fiscal management.

We will continue to work with the Albanese Labor Government to secure Canberra’s fair share of Commonwealth investment.

Tara Cheyne will become the ACT’s first female Attorney-General since Rosemary Follett in 1989, leading the expansion of restorative justice in the ACT. As Minister for Night-Time Economy, Tara will ensure Canberra has a world-class nightlife driven by a diverse, creative and resilient sector.

Three Labor MLAs will join the ACT Cabinet – Suzanne Orr, Michael Pettersson and Dr Marisa Paterson, to complement the experienced team of incumbent Ministers.

Suzanne Orr will be the ACT’s new Minister for Disability, Carers and Community Services and Minister for Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water. Michael Pettersson will take on portfolios including Minister for Business, Arts and Creative Industries and Minister for Skills, Training and Industrial Relations. Dr Marisa Paterson will join the Ministry as the ACT’s new Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services as well as the Minister for Women.

Over the coming weeks, the Government will explore opportunities to align Directorates with the new Ministry.

We have an ambitious policy agenda to deliver in this term of government as part of our progressive and practical plan for Canberra’s future.  This will be a collaborative Cabinet that will be tasked with working closely with other members of the Legislative Assembly, stakeholders and the Canberra community to find consensus and agreement on shared priorities.

2024 ACT Cabinet

- Statement ends -

Andrew Barr, MLA | Media Releases

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