Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory

Chief Minister of the
Australian Capital Territory
Incumbent
Andrew Barr
since 11 December 2014
Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate
StyleThe Honourable
StatusHead of government
AbbreviationCM
Member ofCabinet
National Cabinet
Reports toLegislative Assembly
Seat1 Constitution Avenue, Canberra
AppointerAustralian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly
Constituting instrumentAustralian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988 (Cth), section 40
Formation11 May 1989
First holderRosemary Follett
DeputyDeputy Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory
SalaryA$384,928[1]

The chief minister of the Australian Capital Territory is the head of government of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The leader of the party with the largest number of seats in the unicameral Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly usually takes on the role. Unlike other states and territories, the chief minister is not appointed by a governor or administrator, but elected directly by the Assembly.[2]

The chief minister is the rough equivalent of the state premiers, and has been a member of the National Cabinet since its creation in 2020.[3] The chief minister previously also represented the ACT on the Council of Australian Governments (COAG).[4] Since there are no local governments in the territory, the chief minister's role is also similar to that of the mayor of a local government area. The chief minister sits on the Council of Capital City Lord Mayors.[5]

The current chief minister is Andrew Barr of the Australian Labor Party (ALP), who was first elected by the Assembly on 11 December 2014 following the resignation of Katy Gallagher.[6]

  1. ^ Tyeson, Cam (9 July 2023). "ACT's politicians, executive public servants pocket 3.5 per cent pay rise". Pedestrian. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  2. ^ "Assembly Debate" (PDF). ACT Hansard. ACT Legislative Assembly. 11 May 1989. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 March 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
  3. ^ "Advice on coronavirus". Prime Minister of Australia (Press release). 13 March 2020. Archived from the original on 8 April 2020. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  4. ^ "COAG Members". Council of Australian Governments. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  5. ^ "Canberra". Council of Capital City Lord Mayors. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  6. ^ "Andrew Barr elected ACT Chief Minister, seventh in history". ABC News. Australia. 11 December 2014. Retrieved 11 December 2014.