Incoming ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr plans no major changes to portfolios, priorities in new ministry
Incoming ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr has remained tight-lipped about the look of his new ministry, but said there would be no major shake-up in the allocation of portfolios or Government priorities.
Last week Chief Minister Katy Gallagher announced that she would step down from the top role to contest the upcoming Senate vacancy created by ACT Senator Kate Lundy.
Mr Barr has been endorsed as Ms Gallagher's replacement and long-serving MLA Simon Corbell has been endorsed as the new deputy.
He told 666 ABC Canberra that he was holding discussions with colleagues about the allocation of portfolios within the ministry and that his team of five ministers would expand to six members early next year.
But Mr Barr said he would maintain his current role of Treasurer, and a Territory Government led by him would focus on strengthening the local economy.
"I have a background in economics, so undoubtedly the treasury role is important," he said.
"Fundamental to my approach will be to ensure the Territory is in a position to afford the social policy outcomes that we want.
"We want to continue to have world-class health and education systems, we want to continue to be the top-ranked city in the OECD liveability index.
"That requires fiscal management, you've got to have a strong and growing economy to provide all of the services the city needs."
But Mr Barr conceded he was entering the top job during a difficult financial time.
"These are a different set of circumstances than we've experienced in about 15 years," he said.
"The last time we had a period like this was in the mid 1990s.
"Our economy bounced back very strongly after that so I'm focusing in the short-term on a range of strategies that will help our economy rebound."
He said the ACT played an important role as a service economy for the rest of the nation.
"In contrast with the approach of the Federal Government, we want to grow higher education in ACT," he said.
"It's important economically, but it's also critical for the skill sets in our community and for people's personal opportunities."
First openly gay leader of state/territory government
Mr Barr will be the first openly gay leader of a state or territory government.
"I'm somewhat more introverted than your average politician," he said.
"There are some parts of being in the public eye that are confronting for everyone.
"But that said I've played reasonably senior roles in government over the years.
"I've benefited greatly from working with Katy and being her deputy over nearly four years. That's been an important experience for me leading up to this role."
Mr Barr said he would be proud to the first openly gay political leader.
"On one level maybe it's a bit sad that it's almost 2015 before Australia has had an openly gay political leader of a head of government," he said.
"But I think Canberrans are reasonably used to that. There's been more interest in the national and international media than there has been locally."
A meeting of the Labor caucus tomorrow morning is expected to elect Mr Barr to the position of chief minister unopposed.
Meegan Fitzharris would be welcomed as new MLA: Barr
Political staffer Meegan Fitzharris is considered the frontrunner to replace Ms Gallagher in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
Ms Gallagher's replacement will be determined by a count back of votes from the last Territory election.
Ms Fitzharris has confirmed she will throw her hat in the ring for the seat of Molonglo.
"We'll have Meegan or another member join our caucus in January and caucus will meet to elect a new minister," he said.
"Meegan ran an outstanding campaign in 2012 and was very unlucky not to be elected that time."
