The Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Picture: Alexandra Peek/ DFAT
Building more housing and new infrastructure in Canberra are on the list of priorities for the new ACT Government, returning Chief Minister Andrew Barr says.
Last week, he announced an eight-strong cabinet, down from nine, with three extra Labor MLAs stepping up.
“With the ACT’s population set to reach 500,000 people by the end of 2027, ongoing increases in the supply of housing will be required to meet demand,” Barr says.
He says the new government’s target is 30,000 new homes by 2030, the encouragement for the construction of ‘missing middle’ housing in established suburbs and 5000 new public and affordable rental dwellings by 2030.
“We will continue to deliver the infrastructure our city needs – from the big, once-in-a-generation projects like the Northside Hospital, Canberra Lyric Theatre and the Canberra Aquatic Centre to more social housing, extending light rail and the local projects…” he says.
Barr says $150 million will be spent on upgrading public schools such as toilets, classrooms, playgrounds, green spaces and staff rooms.
Alongside the extension of light rail to Commonwealth Park, the government will increase bus service frequency to every 20 minutes on weekdays throughout term from 2025, he says.
“We will purchase an additional 110 electric buses over the next four years.”
The government infrastructure program will managed by the renamed agency Infrastructure Canberra (formerly known as Major Projects Canberra).
Chris Steel will be the ACT’s new Treasurer and will be responsible for developing the ACT Budget.
“There have been significant demands on the Territory Budget over the past four years,” Barr says.
“In order to maintain the necessary fiscal headroom to respond to future challenges the city faces, then we must continue to exercise prudent fiscal management.”
Tara Cheyne will become the ACT’s first female Attorney-General since Rosemary Follett in 1989.
The new Labor MLAs in the ACT Cabinet are Suzanne Orr, Michael Pettersson and Dr Marisa Paterson.
THE NEW CABINET
Andrew Barr: Chief Minister, Minister for Economic Development and Minister for Tourism and Trade.
Yvette Berry: Deputy Chief Minister, Minister for Education and Early Childhood; Minister for Homes and New Suburbs, Minister for Sport and Recreation.
Rachel Stephen-Smith: Minister for Health; Minister for Mental Health; Minister for Finance; Minister for the Public Service.
Chris Steel: Treasurer; Minister for Planning and Sustainable Development; Minister for Heritage; Minister for Transport.
Tara Cheyne: Manager of Government Business; Attorney-General; Minister for Human Rights; Minister for City and Government Services; Minister for the Night-Time Economy.
Suzanne Orr: Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs; Minister for Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water; Minister for Disability, Carers and Community Services; Minister for Seniors and Veterans.
Michael Pettersson: Minister for Business, Arts and Creative Industries; Minister for Children, Youth and Families; Minister for Multicultural Affairs; Minister for Skills, Training and Industrial Relations.
Marisa Paterson: Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services; Minister for Women; Minister for the Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence; Minister for Corrections; Minister for Gaming Reform.
