Opposition (Australian Capital Territory)

The Opposition in the Australian territory of the Australian Capital Territory comprises the largest party not in Government. The Opposition's purpose is to hold the Government to account and constitute a "Government-in-waiting" should the existing Government fall. To that end, a Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Ministers for the various government departments question the Chief Minister and Ministers on Government policy and administration and formulate the policy the Opposition would pursue in Government. It is sometimes styled "His Majesty's Loyal Opposition" to demonstrate that although it opposes the Government, it remains loyal to the King.

The current Leader of the Opposition is Liberal Leader Leanne Castley, and Jeremy Hanson is the deputy leader.

Current Shadow Ministry (since 2023)

The Shadow Ministry was announced on 7 December 2023 following the deputy leadership spill on 4 December 2023 where Jeremy Hanson was voted out 5-3 in favour of Leanne Castley. Jeremy Hanson was then removed from Shadow Cabinet alongside Elizabeth Kikkert in the reshuffle.

Shadow Minister	Portfolio	Image
Elizabeth Lee MLA	Leader of the Opposition Shadow Treasurer Shadow Minister for Education Shadow Minister for Housing Affordability and Choice Shadow Minister for Climate Action, Energy and Emissions Reduction Shadow Minister for Economic Development, Tourism and Major Projects
Leanne Castley MLA	Shadow Minister for Health and Wellbeing Shadow Minister for Business Shadow Minister for Families Youth and Community Services Shadow Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Assistant Shadow Minister for Women Assistant Shadow Minister for Environment, Heritage and Water
Peter Cain MLA	Shadow Attorney-General Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs Shadow Minister for Planning and Land Management Assistant Shadow Treasurer Assistant Shadow Minister for Seniors Assistant Shadow Minister for Veterans Affairs Assistant Deputy Speaker
Nicole Lawder MLA	Opposition Whip Shadow Minister for City Services Shadow Minister for Seniors Shadow Minister for Women Shadow Minister for Arts Shadow Minister for Environment, Heritage and Water Shadow Minister for Veterans Affiars
James Milligan MLA	Deputy Opposition Whip Shadow Minister for Disability Shadow Minister for Emergency Services Shadow Minister for Vocational Training and Skills Shadow Minister for Sport and Recreation Shadow Minister for Police Shadow Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs
Mark Parton MLA	Deputy Speaker Shadow Minister for Transport Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness Shadow Minister for Gaming, Racing and Community Clubs Shadow Minister for Sustainable Building and Construction Shadow Minister for Corrections Assistant Shadow Minister for City Services
Ed Cocks MLA	Shadow Minister for Mental Health Shadow Minister for Regulatory Services Shadow Minister for Jobs and Workplace Affairs Assistant Minister for Arts

2021-2023

The shadow ministry was announced on 8 April 2021. It was formed following the resignation of former Canberra Liberals Opposition Leader Alistair Coe by Opposition Leader Elizabeth Lee.

On 2 June 2022 Giulia Jones resigned from the Legislative Assembly, and Ed Cocks was elected on countback on 20 June. Cocks was immediately elevated to Shadow Cabinet with portfolios for mental health, jobs and workplace affairs, and regulatory services. Leanne Castley retained health and wellbeing. Jeremy Hanson was elevated to Deputy Opposition Leader with the additional portfolio area for early childhood education. Peter Cain became responsible for multicultural affairs.

Shadow Minister	Portfolio	Image
Elizabeth Lee MLA	Leader of the Opposition Shadow Treasurer Shadow Attorney-General Shadow Minister for Climate Action Shadow Minister for Economic Development, Tourism and Major Projects
Giulia Jones MLA	Deputy Leader of the Opposition Shadow Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs
Peter Cain MLA	Assistant Shadow Treasurer Assistant Shadow Attorney-General Shadow Minister for Regulatory Services Shadow Minister for Jobs and Workplace Affairs Shadow Minister for Planning and Land Management
Leanne Castley MLA	Assistant Shadow Minister for Economic Development, Tourism and Major Projects Shadow Minister for Environment and Heritage Shadow Minister for Water, Energy and Emissions Reduction Shadow Minister for Business
Jeremy Hanson MLA	Opposition Whip Shadow Minister for Education and Higher Education Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education Shadow Minister for Police Shadow Minister for Veterans Affairs
Elizabeth Kikkert MLA	Shadow Minister for Families, Youth and Community Services Shadow Minister for Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Shadow Minister for Corrections Shadow Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs
Nicole Lawder MLA	Shadow Minister for City Services Shadow Minister for Seniors Shadow Minister for Women Shadow Minister for Arts
James Milligan MLA	Shadow Minister for Disability Shadow Minister for Emergency Services Shadow Minister for Vocational Training and Skills Shadow Minister for Sport and Recreation
Mark Parton MLA	Shadow Minister for Transport Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness Shadow Minister for Gaming, Racing and Community Clubs Shadow Minister for Sustainable Building and Construction

See also

• Government of the Australian Capital Territory
• Opposition (Australia)