# 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 |
| 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 Affairs |
| 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 |
| 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 |