ACT Elections
On Saturday the 19th October, The Australian Capital Territory held its Legislative Assembly election. The Labor Party secured a seventh consecutive term, governing since 2001. The ACT elects its 25-member legislative assembly through the Hare-Clarke system, a form of proportional representation. 5 members are elected across five electorates; Brindabella, Ginninderra, Kurrajong, Murrumbidgee, and Yerrabi. To form a majority government, a party needs to secure at least 13 seats.
On Wednesday 30th October 2024, the following results were formally declared:
The Labor Party recieved 34.1%, Liberal Party received approximately 33.5%, the Greens received 12.2%, Independents for Canberra garnered about 8.5% and Other candidates held 11.7%. This configuration results in a hung parliament, as no party has achieved the 13-seat majority required to form majority government. The two independent members, along with the Greens, are anticipated to play pivotal roles in determining the passage of the Government agenda.
On Thursday the 31st of October 2024, The Liberal Party conducted a leadership ballot with incumbent Deputy Leader Leanne Castley MLA defeating Opposition Leader Elizabeth Lee MLA. Former Liberal leader Jeremy Hanson MLA was elected as Deputy Leader.
After negotiations between Labor and the Greens, the Greens decided to not continue in a coalition arrangement with Labor, relinquishing their three cabinet portfolios. The Greens crossbench have provided the Barr Labor Government confidence and supply. Independents for Canberra MLA, Thomas Emerson, has agreed to provide confidence and supply to Barr, discussions are ongoing with Murrumbidgee Independant MLA, Fiona Carrick.
On the Thursday the 7th of November 2024, Chief Minister Andrew Barr announced his front bench with all incumbent members of the Labor caucus forming Cabinet. Michael Petterson MLA and Marissa Paterson MLA joined cabinet for the first time alongside Suzanne Orr who returns. The newly elected Brindabella MLAs, Caitlin Tough and Taimus Werner-Gibbings, will form the Labor backbench and serve across various committees. The full Ministry is listed below.
For more information, please contact your Hawker Britton Managing Director Simon Banks on [email protected].
ACT Cabinet
| Minister | Title |
| Andrew Barr MLA | Chief Minister Minister for Economic Development Minister for Tourism and Trade |
| Yvette Berry MLA | Deputy Chief Minister Minister for Education and Early Childhood Minister for Homes and New Suburbs Minister for Sport and Recreation |
| Rachel Stephen-Smith MLA | Minister for Health Minister for Mental Health Minister for Finance Minister for the Public Service |
| Chris Steel MLA | Treasurer Minister for Planning and Sustainable Development Minister for Heritage Minister for Transport |
| Tara Cheyne MLA | Manager of Government Business Attorney-General Minister for Human Rights Minister for City and Government Services Minister for the Night-Time Economy |
| Suzanne Orr MLA | 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 MLA | 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 Patterson MLA | 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 |