As the players in the rebooted Legislative Assembly begin to emerge, one of the biggest remaining questions will be who will take on the major portfolios and, in particular one of the most difficult, health.
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Most within the Labor Party were refusing to speculate on Friday but visiting fellow at the Crawford School of Public Policy and long-time ACT political watcher Norman Abjorensen said it was likely Andrew Barr would retain treasury alongside his likely new role as Chief Minister.
But, on the question of health, Mr Abjorensen said adding that to the Chief Minister's plate had been tried before and was simply an unsustainable workload.
"I just think it's too much. I remember meeting Jon Stanhope one day some years ago and he had seven trollies of papers parked outside his door for weekend reading. He just looked at me and said, 'this has got to stop'."
His prediction is that Simon Corbell will become deputy Chief Minister and may well take on health.
Another possibility being floated yesterday was that health may be handed to Greens MLA, whose current ministerial responsibilities include Territory and Municipal Services, Sport, Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Affairs and Corrective Services.
While the circumstances are different, there is a precedent for an MLA outside the government party to become ACT Health Minister. Progressive independent Michael Moore was heavily criticised when he accepted the health portfolio in the Kate Carnell-led Liberal Government.
Mr Rattenbury said he hadn't had time to consider it as an option as he, like most other members of the Assembly were still absorbing the news of Ms Gallagher's departure.
"I'll put my view to Andrew in good time. I very much enjoy my current portfolios and health is not something I"ve thought about. It's a really important portfolio, and very challenging. Today is really about Katy, so we'll see in due course," Mr Rattenbury said.
In addition to health, Ms Gallagher's portfolios of Higher Education and Regional Development will need to be redistributed once the new team is confirmed.
