8 April 2021

Lee tweaks front bench after Milligan returns to Assembly

| Ian Bushnell
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James Milligan

Liberal MLA for Yerrabi James Milligan will have four portfolio responsibilities. Photo: File.

Canberra Liberals leader Elizabeth Lee has shuffled her front bench, giving returned Yerrabi MLA James Milligan four portfolios to cover.

Ms Lee said that Mr Milligan, who is back in the Assembly after the departure of former leader Alistair Coe, was well-equipped for the portfolio responsibilities of Emergency Services, Vocational Training and Skills, Disability, and Sport and Recreation.

“James is a great addition to our team,” said Ms Lee.

“His background and experience as a publisher, as well as his work in the last term, makes him well suited to take on these new portfolios.

“I know he will bring a high level of passion and commitment to discharging his duties as Shadow Minister.”

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Mr Coe’s departure also left the Shadow Treasurer role open, and Ms Lee will add this to her responsibilities.

New Ginninderra MLA Peter Cain will take on Planning and Land Management, and assist Ms Lee with Treasury responsibilities.

Mark Parton will take on Sustainable Building and Construction.

Ms Lee said Mr Cain’s experience and expertise in law and revenue made him well qualified for the planning portfolio which she said was an area of significant interest and concern for many Canberrans.

“Mark has held the housing portfolio since his election in 2016 and has been a formidable advocate in this space. It is fitting that he adds Sustainable Building and Construction to his repertoire to continue to address significant community concern in this area,” she said.

“This Labor-Greens Government is all talk, but when it comes to delivering, it has already broken promise after promise, underpinned by countless delays and failures in infrastructure, health, schools and cost of living.

“My team and I will always stand up for the Canberrans who are being left behind by this out-of-touch government.

“I am privileged to have such a talented and diverse team to fight for our community and put our best foot forward as a strong alternative government for the ACT in 2024.”

The Liberals’ front bench is:

Opposition Leader Elizabeth Lee: Treasurer, Attorney-General, Climate Action, Economic Development, Tourism and Major Projects.

Deputy Leader of the Opposition Giulia Jones: Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Multicultural Affairs.

Opposition Whip Jeremy Hanson: Education and Higher Education, Early Childhood Education, Police, Veterans’ Affairs.

Deputy Speaker Mark Parton: Transport, Housing and Homelessness, Gaming, Racing and Community Clubs, Sustainable Building and Construction.

Nicole Lawder: City Services, Seniors, Women, Arts.

Elizabeth Kikkert: Families, Youth and Community Services, Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Corrections, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs.

Peter Cain: Assistant Shadow Treasurer, Assistant Shadow Attorney-General, Regulatory Services, Jobs and Workplace Affairs, Planning and Land Management.

Leanne Castley: Assistant Shadow Minister for Economic Development, Tourism and Major Projects, Environment and Heritage, Water, Energy and Emissions Reduction, Business.

James Milligan: Disability, Emergency Services, Vocational Training and Skills, Sport and Recreation.

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