Suzanne Orr will become the ACT's new minister for employment, disability and government procurement, in a cabinet reshuffle set to ease the workload of Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith.
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Chief Minister Andrew Barr announced the appointments on Monday afternoon, following Ms Orr's promotion to the frontbench on Friday.
Backbencher Tara Cheyne was also given a new role, named Mr Barr's special secretary.
She has been tasked with liaising with federal politicians in a new push to allow the Territory to pass laws on euthanasia.
Ms Orr will take on the disability, employment and workplace safety and government services and procurement portfolios, all of which were held by Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith.
The Yerrabi MLA will take over the role of ACT Community Services and Facilities Minister from Chris Steel.
Mr Steel, who retains the crucial transport ministry, has been handed the new portfolio of recycling and waste reduction in Monday's reshuffle.
He will also become the territory's first dedicated minister for "active travel", signalling a renewed focus on walking and cycling.
The reshuffle frees up Ms Stephen-Smith who took on the high profile health portfolio when Meegan Fitzharris resigned in June.
Mr Barr noted the workload of Ms Stephen-Smith and Mr Steel who were guiding the two largest infrastructure projects for the ACT: the Canberra Hospital expansion, known as SPIRE, and stage two of light rail.
Mr Barr said Ms Cheyne's promotion was recognition of her strong advocacy on social issues, such as euthanasia, and leading role in the Assembly inquiry into Canberra's high petrol prices.
Mr Barr said Ms Cheyne would support him in efforts to have the so-called Andrews Bill, which prevents the ACT and NT government from legislating on euthanasia, overturned in federal parliament.
He said it was becoming increasingly untenable for the territories to be barred from legislating on the matter, considering the progress of other states.
"We are going to get to the point in this country where the majority of the population will be covered by some sort of state-based scheme," he said.
"It would be a case of potentially being the only ones not being able to legislate in this area."
The Ginninderra MLA will also be tasked with consulting with the community to "identify market failures that are leading to poorer outcomes for Canberra consumers".
The cabinet reshuffle comes after former health and transport minister Meegan Fitzharris' shock decision to quit ACT politics in June.
Mr Barr reassigned the health and transport portfolios immediately after Ms Fitzharris' resignation, but chose to wait until after the territory budget was passed before filling the cabinet vacancy.
In the meantime, Ms Stephen-Smith and Mr Steel have carried a heavy workload, taking on the heavily-scrutinised portfolios while continuing in their other roles.
Among Ms Orr's first priorities will be to secure passage of legislation to create an independent workplace safety watchdog in the ACT.
She will also have responsibility for the implementation of the government's disability justice strategy, which was unveiled earlier this month.
New ministry
Chief Minister Andrew Barr
- Treasurer
- Minister for Social Inclusion and Equality
- Minister for Tertiary Education
- Minister for Tourism and Special Events
- Minister for Trade, Industry and Investment
Deputy Chief Minister Yvette Berry
- Minister for Education and Early Childhood Development
- Minister for Housing and Suburban Development
- Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence
- Minister for Sport and Recreation
- Minister for Women
Mick Gentleman
- Minister for the Environment and Heritage
- Minister for Planning and Land Management
- Minister for Police and Emergency Services
- Minister for Advanced Technology and Space Industries
- Manager of Government Business
Rachel Stephen-Smith
- Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs
- Minister for Children, Youth and Families
- Minister for Health
- Minister for Urban Renewal
Gordon Ramsay
- Attorney-General
- Minister for the Arts, Creative Industries and Cultural Events
- Minister for Building Quality Improvement
- Minister for Business and Regulatory Services
- Minister for Seniors and Veterans
Chris Steel
- Minister for City Services
- Minister for Multicultural Affairs
- Minister for Recycling and Waste Reduction
- Minister for Roads and Active Travel
- Minister for Transport
Shane Rattenbury
- Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability
- Minister for Corrections and Justice Health
- Minister for Justice, Consumer Affairs and Road Safety
- Minister for Mental Health
Suzanne Orr
- Minister for Disability
- Minister for Community Services and Facilities
- Minister for Employment and Workplace Safety
- Minister for Government Services and Procurement