Breaking: Rachel Stephen-Smith elected ACT's new deputy chief minister

Posted Mon 27 Jul 2026 at 12:53pmMon 27 Jul 2026 at 12:53pm, updated Mon 27 Jul 2026 at 1:11pmMon 27 Jul 2026 at 1:11pmRachel Stephen-Smith has been elected as chief minister Andrew Barr's new deputy. (ABC News: Michael Barnett)Rachel Stephen-Smith has been named the ACT's new deputy chief minister as part of a major reshuffle following the resignation of Yvette Berry.Ms Berry resigned from cabinet last week, after the Integrity Commission made "serious corrupt conduct" findings against two senior public servants in her education portfolio.At a meeting of the Labor caucus this morning, Ms Stephen-Smith was elected unopposed as chief minister Andrew Barr's new deputy.Ms Stephen-Smith has also been named the new education minister, with the health portfolio moving to Marisa Paterson. "As a proud product of Canberra's public education system, I'm looking forward to working with students, families, teachers and other key staff and stakeholders to deliver the structural reforms that will set our schools up for generations to come," Ms Stephen-Smith said. "I'm ready to get stuck in with Andrew and the Labor Team to deliver for children, families and the wider Canberra community."Suzanne Orr will take on the housing portfolio, while Attorney-General Tara Cheyne takes on the transport portfolio from Chris Steel.First-term MLA Caitlin Tough has been promoted to cabinet from the backbench, taking on portfolios including corrections.Berry's departureLabor's ministry changes were triggered by the ACT Integrity Commission's probing into the awarding of a contract to revamp a primary school, and Ms Berry's subsequent resignation.The Integrity Commission determined the former ACT Education Directorate director-general Katy Haire and Ms Berry's then-chief of staff Joshua Ceramidas "dishonestly provided a back door" for the strategic interests of the CFMEU in a multi-million-dollar contract to revamp Campbell Primary School.No findings were made against Ms Berry herself, and she'll remain in the Legislative Assembly as a backbencher.Ms Berry had been the ACT's second in charge for almost a decade – the longest serving deputy chief minister in the territory’s history.She was also seen as a potential future leader of ACT Labor, when Mr Barr eventually leaves the position.In what has been regarded as a three-horse race, Ms Stephen-Smith and Treasurer Chris Steel are now firmly the two frontrunners to lead the party in the future.