Canberra Liberals deputy leader Jeremy Hanson is now also the Shadow Attorney-General while Opposition leader Leanne Castley has added Planning to her responsibilities. Photo: Ian Bushnell.
The Canberra Liberals has unveiled its new Shadow Cabinet less than two weeks after Peter Cain quit to join the backbench over leadership concerns.
Opposition Leader Leanne Castley has added the responsibility of Planning to her duties, on top of being Shadow Minister for Health, Home Ownership, Transport, Agriculture and Environment and Seniors.
Deputy Leader Jeremy Hanson is now also the Shadow Attorney-General. He’s already Shadow Minister for Education, Veterans and Special Minister of State.
Shadow Minister for Community Services, Disability and Carers, Multicultural Affairs and Women Chiaka Barry has picked up the Public Housing and Homelessness portfolio.
Shadow Business, Arts and Creative Industries Minister James Milligan has added Skills to his list of responsibilities. He’s also Shadow City Services and Sport and Recreation Minister.
The only Shadow Cabinet members who did not pick up new responsibilities were Opposition Treasurer Ed Cocks (who is also Shadow Government Services and Customer Support Minister) and Deborah Morris, who is Shadow Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Community Safety, Corrections and Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence.
Mr Cain has joined former Canberra Liberals leader Elizabeth Lee on the backbench, while the remaining party MLA Mark Parton is the Legislative Assembly Speaker.
Ms Castley said despite the changes, her party remained focused on “holding ACT Labor to account” and further scrutinising the new and higher tax increases outlined in the recent budget.
“Our team has spent the past six months or so listening to the ACT community and we have heard that the cost of living crisis remains front and centre for Canberrans,” she said.
“This Budget, with its long list of new and higher costs for Canberrans, demonstrates just how out of touch ACT Labor is with the community.”
