Elizabeth Lee has dispelled concerns about having two former Liberal leaders in her new shadow ministry, adamant Jeremy Hanson and Alistair Coe can play a crucial role in rebuilding the party again.
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Ms Lee unveiled her ministry on Thursday, appointed Mr Coe as the shadow treasurer and the opposition spokesman for planning and land management, and sustainable building and construction.
Mr Hanson will be in charge of the education portfolio, Ms Lee handing him the role just a week after he also challenge for the Liberal party leadership.
The Liberal party has struggled at a federal level with former leaders agitating from the backbench, but Ms Lee has opted to bring Mr Coe, who led the party to its election defeat last month, and Mr Hanson into her leadership group.
Ms Lee said the decision to have former leaders serve in high-profile positions in the new cabinet was a "no-brainer".
"We are very fortunate that we still have access to that experience and that knowledge," she said.
"Both Jeremy and Alistair have so much more to contribute to the Canberra Liberals but also to the Canberra community."
In addition to being the new Opposition Leader, Ms Lee will take on roles as Attorney-General and spokeswoman for climate action and economic development.
Ms Lee said the new shadow ministry would bring with it a range of experience. "There is no doubt the party room of the Canberra Liberals this term is full of a diverse range of talent and expertise," Ms Lee said.
"I will always fight for the Canberrans who have been sidelined and abandoned by a Labor-Greens government."
While the leader of the opposition has traditionally taken on the role of shadow treasurer, previous leader Mr Coe will remain in that role for the next term.
"With him being a senior MLA with extensive experience in [treasury and planning] he still has so much more to provide," she said.
"I'm very grateful he will continue in those portfolios."
Among the other announcements was Mark Parton taking on the role as spokesman for transport, housing, gaming and sport.
Deputy party leader Giulia Jones will be the party's spokeswoman for health and multicultural affairs.
Nicole Lawder will take on a position as spokeswoman for city services, seniors, women and the arts.
Elizabeth Kikkert will be spokeswoman for families, domestic violence prevention, disability and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs.
The party's two newest members will also take on roles in the shadow cabinet.
There is no doubt the party room of the Canberra Liberals this term is full of a diverse range of talent and expertise.
- Elizabeth Lee
Peter Cain will serve as assistant shadow Attorney-General and as a spokesman for jobs and regulatory services.
Leanne Castley was appointed to a role as spokeswoman for the environment, water, energy and emissions reduction and business.
Despite being new members of the ACT Assembly, Ms Lee said Mr Cain and Ms Castley would play a large role in the new shadow cabinet.
"While they are baby MLAs in that sense, they are at the top of their field, and I'm grateful Peter and Leanne joined because they bring new experience and fresh eyes and a depth of knowledge and expertise that's missing," she said.
Despite Ms Lee being criticised in previous years for comments on climate change, the Opposition Leader will take on climate as part of her own portfolio.
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She said climate change represented a significant issue for Canberra in the coming term.
"While it's all too easy for Labor members to take things out of context and criticise the Canberra Liberals, let's make sure to look at the record," she said.
"Canberra Liberals support the 100 per cent renewable energy and zero net missions by 2045."
Andrew Brown
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
