Opposition Leader Leanne Castley says her new team will focus on issues that matter most to Canberrans. Photos: Ian Bushnell.
Opposition Leader Leanne Castley has unveiled a seven-member shadow ministry, notable for the absence of her predecessor, Elizabeth Lee, and the experienced Mark Parton.
Ms Lee has elected to sit on the back bench, but Ms Castley has left the door open for her to return if she wants to, while Mr Parton will be the new Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.
This means two newly elected members, Deborah Morris and Chiaka Barry, have immediately been brought on to the front bench.
Ed Cocks, who only entered the Assembly last term on a countback when Giulia Jones left, has been catapulted into the key Treasury portfolio on the back of his public service history with federal budgetary processes.
But Ms Castley denies her new front bench will be starting from behind, saying they all bring life experience to their particular roles.
Ms Castley will retain her old portfolio of Health, and picks up Transport, Home Ownership and Seniors.
Her deputy, Jeremy Hanson, will take back Education and Skills, and Veterans.
Mr Cocks will also take on a new portfolio of Government Services and Customer Experience, reflecting the priorities for Ms Castley under her leadership.
“When we’re talking to Canberrans, their concern is interaction with government and also the outcomes that they’re not receiving most of the time,” she said.
“We know that we’re spending so much money on rates, but yet the services aren’t there.
“The Canberra Liberals are focused on addressing the real issues facing Canberrans.”
Peter Cain will remain as shadow Attorney-General, and continue to cover the important Planning portfolio, as well as Housing Services.
James Milligan will also play a significant role, with the emphasis on holding the government to account on basic services, looking after City Services. He will also cover Business, Arts and Creative Industries; and Sport and Recreation.
Elizabeth Lee has opted to sit on the back bench but the door remains open.
The new members will be busy covering multiple portfolios.
Ms Morris picks up Police, Emergency Services and Community Safety, and the thorny areas of Corrections and Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence.
Ms Castley said Ms Morris specifically sought these areas, having had experience in policing and crime when working in the federal government.
“It’s that boots on the ground type of response to crime and emergency services in Canberra,” she said.
Ms Barry will cover Community Services, Disability and Carers; Women; Multicultural Affairs; and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs.
Ms Castley said Ms Barry was a lawyer who had worked in community services.
“She’s very excited for the children and youth aspects of the portfolio and for the multicultural women.
“They’re areas that she has worked in before, and I think this is important for people to remember.
“We are experienced, hard-working Canberrans that come to the Assembly, as new to the Assembly of course, but with a world of experience before this place.”
Ms Castley said that while the team would be focused on service delivery, the Canberra Liberals still had big visions for a better education and health systems, as well as housing, especially helping people into their own homes, which she will champion.
“We want to have a strong housing strategy,” she said. “We’ve got to have first home buyer policies and work on that housing affordability.”
Ms Castley said Ms Lee and Mr Parton would be missed but they were still part of the overall team and their advice could still be tapped.
Ms Lee did not say why she preferred the back bench but Ms Castley said she was offered portfolios.
“The door is always open,” Ms Castley said. “If she just needs a little bit of time and wants to come back to me in the New Year then of course, we’re very happy to have those conversations with her.”
She said Mr Parton would be missed in question time but he would make a very fair Speaker and the job suited him.
Ms Lee’s willingness to talk to the Greens counted against her in the leadership vote but Ms Castley said she had no problem dealing with the crossbench to get the best outcomes for Canberrans.
“We’ve already had Shane Rattenbury’s chief of staff here in the office having a chat about some things and we’re meeting with Thomas Emerson today and we’re certainly going to be speaking to Fiona Carrick,” she said.
“I think it’s important at this point that we talk to all members in the Assembly and work on things to get better outcomes.”
Canberra Liberals Shadow Ministry
Leanne Castley MLA
Leader of the Opposition
Shadow Minister for Health
Shadow Minister for Transport
Shadow Minister for Home Ownership
Shadow Minister for Seniors.
Jeremy Hanson MLA
Deputy Leader of the Opposition
Shadow Minister for Education and Skills
Shadow Minister for Veterans.
Ed Cocks MLA
Opposition Whip
Shadow Treasurer
Shadow Minister for Government Services and Customer Experience.
Peter Cain MLA
Shadow Attorney-General
Shadow Minister for Planning and Environment
Shadow Minister for Housing Services.
James Milligan MLA
Shadow Minister for City Services
Shadow Minister for Business, Arts and Creative Industries
Shadow Minister for Sport and Recreation.
Deborah Morris MLA
Shadow Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Community Safety
Shadow Minister for Corrections
Shadow Minister for the Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence.
Chiaka Barry MLA
Shadow Minister for Community Services, Disability and Carers
Shadow Minister for Women
Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs
Shadow Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs.
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