Chief Minister, Katy Gallagher, has today announced new portfolios for ministers to allow for the inclusion of a sixth ACT minister into Cabinet.
Last Saturday Mick Gentleman MLA was elected by the ALP Caucus to become the sixth ACT minister. This appointment has prompted new Administrative Arrangements to be implemented.
“Existing ministers have kept their major portfolio responsibilities under these new arrangements reflecting their strong performance over past years and to maintain consistency in work that is underway particularly in major projects,” the Chief Minister said.
“I have decided to retain the important portfolios of Health, Regional Development and Higher Education while adding the responsibility for the Asbestos Response Taskforce to my list of portfolios. This decision reflects the Government’s priorities in these important areas of policy.”
The Deputy Chief Minister, Andrew Barr MLA, will continue the important work of budget management, tax reform and economic development as Treasurer and Minister for Economic Development. In addition he will pick up responsibility for Housing which will draw together responsibly for land development, social housing and housing supply within one Minister’s portfolio.
Simon Corbell MLA will remain as Attorney-General and Minister for Police and Emergency Services reflecting his extensive experience and strong leadership in the areas of justice and community safety. Mr Corbell will remain as Minister for the Environment and will take on a new specific portfolio as Minister for Capital Metro.
Joy Burch MLA will remain as Minister for Education and Training and Minister for Disability. This will allow Joy to continue the excellent work she is doing across the education sector and also allow for the seamless transition to continue under one of the most significant social reforms of our time – the NDIS, which started in the ACT this week.
Shane Rattenbury MLA will continue in his responsibilities under the Territory and Municipal Services portfolio delivering responsive and high quality services to the people of the ACT. Mr Rattenbury will also maintain Corrective Services where he has been working so hard on the prison expansion and programs like Throughcare.
Minister Rattenbury will take on responsibility for Sport and Recreation which will focus the government efforts in promoting healthy lifestyles and encouraging active transport.
Mick Gentleman MLA take on the job of Minister for planning using his experience as the Chair of the Legislative Assembly Standing Committee on Planning, Environment and Territory and Municipal Services. He will also takeon responsibility for community services which reflects the connection Mick has established over many years with the non-government organisation sector.
Mr Gentleman will also become Minister for Workplace Safety and Industrial Relations, Minister for Children and Young People and Minister for Ageing.
“This reallocation of portfolios strikes the right balance to maintain ministers in portfolios where they have extensive experience and interests but also bring a fresh look to important areas of government policy,” the Chief Minister said.
“The inclusion of another Minister in the Cabinet also allows for a rebalancing of work to better manage current workloads.
“I thank my Ministerial colleagues for their assistance and patience whilst these new arrangements were finalised and look forward to working with a strong team of ministers to deliver strong and stable government for the ACT community.
“In particular, I welcome Mr Gentleman to the Cabinet and I look forward to working with him in the lead up to the next ACT election.
There will be some changes to administrative structures with Economic Development Directorate joining the central agency of Chief Ministers and Treasury. This reflects the continued focus of creating a one-government approach to our delivery of services to the people of the ACT along with the critical importance of ensuring that economic development is at the centre of government policy deliberations.
The function of the Commerce and Works Directorate will be delivered by the by Treasury arm of CMTD.
The new ministerial arrangements will commence from Monday 7th July, 2014.
(Katy Gallagher Media Release)
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