ACT government ministerial reshuffle: Suzanne Orr takes on employment, disabilities

Chief Minister Andrew Barr announced the appointments on Monday afternoon, following Ms Orr's promotion to the frontbench on Friday.

Backbencher Tara Cheyne was also given a new role, named Mr Barr's special secretary.

She has been tasked with liaising with federal politicians in a new push to allow the Territory to pass laws on euthanasia.

Ms Orr will take on the disability, employment and workplace safety and government services and procurement portfolios, all of which were held by Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith.

The Yerrabi MLA will take over the role of ACT Community Services and Facilities Minister from Chris Steel.

Mr Steel, who retains the crucial transport ministry, has been handed the new portfolio of recycling and waste reduction in Monday's reshuffle.

He will also become the territory's first dedicated minister for "active travel", signalling a renewed focus on walking and cycling.

The reshuffle frees up Ms Stephen-Smith who took on the high profile health portfolio when Meegan Fitzharris resigned in June.

Mr Barr noted the workload of Ms Stephen-Smith and Mr Steel who were guiding the two largest infrastructure projects for the ACT: the Canberra Hospital expansion, known as SPIRE, and stage two of light rail.

Mr Barr said Ms Cheyne's promotion was recognition of her strong advocacy on social issues, such as euthanasia, and leading role in the Assembly inquiry into Canberra's high petrol prices.

Mr Barr said Ms Cheyne would support him in efforts to have the so-called Andrews Bill, which prevents the ACT and NT government from legislating on euthanasia, overturned in federal parliament.

He said it was becoming increasingly untenable for the territories to be barred from legislating on the matter, considering the progress of other states.

"We are going to get to the point in this country where the majority of the population will be covered by some sort of state-based scheme," he said.

"It would be a case of potentially being the only ones not being able to legislate in this area."

The Ginninderra MLA will also be tasked with consulting with the community to "identify market failures that are leading to poorer outcomes for Canberra consumers".

READ MORE: Meet your MLAs: Suzanne Orr, the city planner

The cabinet reshuffle comes after former health and transport minister Meegan Fitzharris' shock decision to quit ACT politics in June.

Mr Barr reassigned the health and transport portfolios immediately after Ms Fitzharris' resignation, but chose to wait until after the territory budget was passed before filling the cabinet vacancy.

In the meantime, Ms Stephen-Smith and Mr Steel have carried a heavy workload, taking on the heavily-scrutinised portfolios while continuing in their other roles.

Among Ms Orr's first priorities will be to secure passage of legislation to create an independent workplace safety watchdog in the ACT.

She will also have responsibility for the implementation of the government's disability justice strategy, which was unveiled earlier this month.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr

Deputy Chief Minister Yvette Berry

Mick Gentleman

Rachel Stephen-Smith

Gordon Ramsay

Chris Steel

Shane Rattenbury

Suzanne Orr