It's a given in politics that incoming governments with backbenchers to spare are irresistibly drawn towards expanded ministries, this being a convenient way to spread victory's spoils as widely as possible. So cynics will have been surprised and delighted at ACT Labor's decision to retain a seven-member executive – with one spot reserved for the Greens' Shane Rattenbury.
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With a caucus of just 12, and important committee work to be done in the new expanded Assembly, it's unlikely the Devil will find many idle hands in Labor's workshop when sittings begin next week. Nevertheless, the expansion to 25 members was intended in part to ensure a more equitable sharing of ministerial workloads, and an expansion would not necessarily have raised a public ruckus. Had Simon Corbell, Chris Burke, and even Jayson Hinder remained in the new Assembly, Labor may just have contemplated spreading the workload more widely. That, however, would have entailed elevating three novice MLAs to the ministry – not necessarily a wise step.
As it is, two new MLAs – Gordon Ramsay and Rachel Stephen-Smith – will become ministers while still wearing their Assembly L-plates. It would not surprise, therefore, that when portfolios are allocated next week, Mr Barr will ensure that he, his newly confirmed deputy, Yvette Berry, Meegan Fitzharris, and Mick Gentleman continue to do most of the heavy lifting.
Assembly expansion has not been an entirely barren exercise thus far for Labor: it's secured for itself the speakership prize previous held by the Liberals. That post is expected to go to Joy Burch, who stood down from Cabinet in January after repeated ministerial indiscretions. There may be some in the Labor caucus who consider Ms Burch undeserving of a consolation prize, but her experience makes her the obvious candidate. And it's certainly the case that her elevation serves the purpose of ensuring the left nor right factions share the spoils of office evenly, just as their numbers in caucus would dictate.
In a clear sign of his renewed authority in the party, Mr Barr has already stated he intends to retain the powerful treasury, tourism and economic development portfolios, and that he wants Ms Fitzharris to succeed Simon Corbell as health minister. That readiness to stick by the tried and proven suggests the duties he allocates Mr Gentleman and Ms Berry will not be dramatically different to the ones they had charge of before the election.
Perhaps the biggest question mark over future ministerial duties concerns Shane Rattenbury, particularly as a second Greens MLA, Caroline Le Couteur, will be sworn in next week. An arrangement permitting Mr Rattenbury to discuss policy matters with Ms Le Couteur while respecting Cabinet confidentiality still has to be finalised. But Mr Rattenbury is a capable and experienced minister, and Mr Barr can be expected to give him portfolios to match.
With an expectation that the enlarged Assembly will deliver improved governance, voters will be keeping a close watch on Mr Barr's new ministry.
