The inevitability of this team of Andrew Barr and Simon Corbell had its genesis way back when they were both students. They were both leading lights in their paddock of the Young Labor Right and Left.
They were adversaries at the Annual Labor Conference battlefields of the 1990s and both emerged as mature political leaders after the Young Labor days were over and they joined the grown-ups.
The similarities are stark. They both cut their teeth working for politicians. Simon with John Langmore and Andrew with Ellnor Grassby and Annette Ellis. Admittedly, Andrew had a stint in private enterprise with Media Monitors, but that was gathering stats on political events.
Both came into the Assembly on a count-back and both are effective orators in the Chamber. Both were respected influences in Cabinet and Caucus.
Both of them were destined to lead the ACT Parliamentary Labor Party at some stage. And so it has come to pass.
The new leadership team has such complimentary skills and approaches that the team that they lead will be greater than the sum of the parts.
But where to now with this dynamic duo? Pretty much more of the same for while. The 2015/16 Budget is mostly done and so any really big change will have its impact on that. More steady as she goes is the tip.
The team will get its own unique act together preparatory to the next election. Differences between the styles and priorities of Katy and Andrew should emerge quietly and slowly over the next 12 months and not before.
There is interest of course, in the construct of the new Barr ministry. Are they tea leaves in the bottom of my cup? Does anyone believe in history repeating itself?
The current five ministers will remain because there is no reason about to warrant change other than portfolios. A change of portfolio delivers refreshment anyway and a change of leader heralds that refreshment.
But who will be the sixth Beatle?
Let’s look at the claims. Ms Berry could claim youth and generational change, coupled with gender balance and the need to have a minister for Belconnen. But her experience is only two years old. But that didn’t hamper Mr Barr
This need for a minister in Belconnen could be claimed by both Dr Bourke and Ms Porter.
Ms Porter could claim gender balance coupled with extensive experience in the Assembly both as the best constituent representative, and thus well in touch with community sentiment; and as a committee chair and Deputy Speaker.
Dr Bourke could claim previous ministerial and committee experience.
Enter Ms Fitzharris into the equation. She comes from Gungahlin, where a resident minister would be an asset. She has the gender and age balance to offer. Again, lack of experience did not stop Mr Barr.
Will history repeat itself?
Mr Barr came into the Assembly on a count-back, so will Ms Fitzharris. At the time of the count-back, Mr Barr was chief of staff to a minister. Ms Fitzharris is chief of staff to Mr Barr. Mr Barr went straight into the ministry, joining his boss. Will Ms Fitzharris do the same? There are other similarities in the nature of their development within the party structures and they have followed similar paths to where they are now.
Are there tea leaves in the bottom of my cup or are they coffee grounds?
Interesting times indeed!
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