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The new-look ACT cabinet featuring three Greens ministers has met for the first time. Greens leader Shane Rattenbury was announced as the ACT’s new Attorney-General last week, joined in cabinet by first-term Greens MLAs Rebecca Vassarotti and Emma Davidson. Mr Rattenbury said the meeting delved into issues like the territory’s coronavirus response and bushfire preparations. “It was really straight down to work today,” he said. “There’s obviously a different physical feel to the cabinet, there are now nine ministers for the first time. “With the three Greens ministers it was really straight down to business, they have all been briefed in by their directorates.” It was the first time Mr Rattenbury has been joined by any Greens colleagues in cabinet meetings. “The cabinet operated as it has done in recent years – everyone contributed to the conversation, members were very focused on the business that was there, making sure that the decisions reflect both their own views and the advice being put forward by agencies,” he said. “In that sense it was an unremarkable cabinet, but great for me to have some colleagues there.” Mr Rattenbury said in his experience, the Greens-Labor cabinet worked in a collegiate way. “People discuss matters quite frankly, but in terms of whether it’s myself and other ministers, there often are robust conversations,” he said. “But they are very policy focused, there are no obvious factions, it’s really about getting the best outcomes for Canberrans.” The first sitting week of the new Parliamentary term will begin in the first week of December, while the delayed budget will be handed down early next year. READ MORE: The Greens won six seats at the October election and negotiated a power sharing deal with Labor that landed them with three ministers. Ms Vassarotti has been given the environment and heritage portfolios, while Ms Davidson is overseeing mental health and disabilities. It also marked the first cabinet meeting for new Labor minister Tara Cheyne, who has been handed the business, human rights and arts portfolios. She was picked for the job over former minister Suzanne Orr in a party room meeting.
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The new-look ACT cabinet featuring three Greens ministers has met for the first time.
Greens leader Shane Rattenbury was announced as the ACT’s new Attorney-General last week, joined in cabinet by first-term Greens MLAs Rebecca Vassarotti and Emma Davidson.
Mr Rattenbury said the meeting delved into issues like the territory’s coronavirus response and bushfire preparations.
“It was really straight down to work today,” he said.
“There’s obviously a different physical feel to the cabinet, there are now nine ministers for the first time.
“With the three Greens ministers it was really straight down to business, they have all been briefed in by their directorates.”
It was the first time Mr Rattenbury has been joined by any Greens colleagues in cabinet meetings.
“The cabinet operated as it has done in recent years – everyone contributed to the conversation, members were very focused on the business that was there, making sure that the decisions reflect both their own views and the advice being put forward by agencies,” he said.
“In that sense it was an unremarkable cabinet, but great for me to have some colleagues there.”
Mr Rattenbury said in his experience, the Greens-Labor cabinet worked in a collegiate way.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr unveiled the government’s new cabinet including three Greens MLAs. Picture: Matt Loxton
“People discuss matters quite frankly, but in terms of whether it’s myself and other ministers, there often are robust conversations,” he said.
“But they are very policy focused, there are no obvious factions, it’s really about getting the best outcomes for Canberrans.”
The first sitting week of the new Parliamentary term will begin in the first week of December, while the delayed budget will be handed down early next year.
The Greens won six seats at the October election and negotiated a power sharing deal with Labor that landed them with three ministers.
Ms Vassarotti has been given the environment and heritage portfolios, while Ms Davidson is overseeing mental health and disabilities.
It also marked the first cabinet meeting for new Labor minister Tara Cheyne, who has been handed the business, human rights and arts portfolios. She was picked for the job over former minister Suzanne Orr in a party room meeting.
