Deputy Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory

The Deputy Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory is the second-most senior officer in the Government of the Australian Capital Territory. The Deputy Chief Ministership has been a ministerial portfolio since its establishment in 1989. Unlike in other states and territories, the Deputy Chief Minister of the ACT is not nominally appointed by an Administrator or Vice-Regal, but by the Chief Minister.

Deputy Chief Minister of the
Australian Capital Territory
Incumbent
Yvette Berry
since 31 October 2016
StyleThe Honourable
Member of
Seat1 Constitution Avenue, Canberra
NominatorChief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory
Formation16 May 1989
First holderPaul Whalan

The current Deputy Chief Minister is the Labor Party's Yvette Berry[1] who took over from former Labor Deputy leader Simon Corbell on 31 October 2016, following Corbell's retirement[2] at the 2016 Australian Capital Territory general election.

History and duties

The office of Deputy Chief Minister was created in May 1989, for Paul Whalan, the Deputy Leader of the Labor Party, following the formation of the first government of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly. The duties of the Deputy Chief Minister are to act on behalf of the Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory in his or her absence overseas or on leave. The Deputy Chief Minister has always been a member of the Cabinet, and has always held at least one substantive portfolio (It would be technically possible for a minister to hold only the portfolio of Deputy Chief Minister, but this has never happened).

If the Chief Minister were to die, become incapacitated or resign, the Assembly would normally elect the Deputy Chief Minister as Chief Minister. If the governing or majority party had not yet elected a new leader, that appointment would be on an interim basis. Should a different leader emerge, that person would then be appointed Chief Minister.

For a short period, between 29 May 1991 and 18 June 1991, there was no Deputy Chief Minister as the Chief Minister, Trevor Kaine, has assumed all ministerial responsibilities.

Gary Humphries, Katy Gallagher and Andrew Barr are the only Deputy Chief Ministers who have gone on to become Chief Minister. Trevor Kaine is the only Chief Minister who has taken a 'backward' step to become Deputy Chief Minister.

List of Deputy Chief Ministers of the Australian Capital Territory
#NameTook OfficeLeft OfficeTimespanPartyNotes
1Paul Whalan16 May 198913 December 1989211 daysLabor1
2Bernard Collaery13 December 198929 May 19911 year, 167 daysResidents Rally2
3Wayne Berry18 June 199113 April 19942 years, 299 daysLabor
4David Lamont13 April 199415 March 1995336 daysLabor
5Tony De Domenico15 March 19959 January 19971 year, 300 daysLiberal
6Gary Humphries9 January 199731 January 199722 daysLiberal
7Trevor Kaine31 January 199717 February 199717 daysLiberal
8Gary Humphries17 February 19979 October 20003 years, 235 daysLiberal
9Brendan Smyth9 October 200013 November 20011 year, 35 daysLiberal
10Ted Quinlan13 November 200120 April 20065 years, 158 daysLabor
11Katy Gallagher20 April 200616 May 20115 years, 26 daysLabor
12Andrew Barr16 May 201111 December 20143 years, 209 daysLabor
13Simon Corbell11 December 201431 October 20161 year, 325 daysLabor
14Yvette Berry31 October 2016Incumbent4 years, 87 daysLabor

1 Despite Labor Chief Minister, Follett, losing a no confidence vote in the Assembly on 5 December 1989, Labor's Whalan remained Deputy Chief Minister for eight days under Liberal Chief Minister, Trevor Kaine, until Kaine announced his Alliance ministry with Residents Rally on 13 December 1989.[3]
2 Bernard Collaery resigned all Ministerial responsibilities on 29 May 1991, losing confidence in Kaine led Alliance government with Residents Rally, due to unpopular decisions to close schools, close the Royal Canberra Hospital and amend planning laws.[4][5]

See also

References
  1. Manager, Web (17 November 2016). "Berry-Yvette". www.parliament.act.gov.au. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  2. "Deputy Chief Minister Simon Corbell to retire at 2016 ACT election". ABC News. 14 August 2015. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  3. "Assembly Debate – 5/12/1989" (PDF). ACT Hansard. ACT Legislative Assembly. 5 December 1989. p. 3047. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
  4. "Assembly Debate – 06/06/1991" (PDF). ACT Hansard. ACT Legislative Assembly. 6 June 1991. pp. 2167–236. Retrieved 14 August 2010.
  5. "Assembly Debate – 29/05/1991" (PDF). ACT Hansard. ACT Legislative Assembly. 29 May 1991. pp. 2125, 2134–7. Retrieved 14 August 2010.
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