Rachel Stephen-Smith has been elected as the Australian Capital Territory's new deputy chief minister during a Labor caucus meeting on Monday, July 27th, 2026. This appointment follows the resignation of former deputy chief minister Yvette Berry, who stepped down last week after the Integrity Commission found "serious corrupt conduct" involving two senior public servants in her education portfolio.

In addition to becoming deputy chief minister, Stephen-Smith has taken on the education and child development and wellbeing portfolios. She expressed enthusiasm about her new responsibilities, stating, "I'm really, really excited to be taking on the education and child development and wellbeing portfolios," while acknowledging the challenge ahead as she assumes the role "in the midst of significant reform."

Chief Minister Andrew Barr commented on the cabinet reshuffle, noting it was designed to make portfolio workloads more sustainable for ministers. He acknowledged the difficulty of filling the gaps left by Berry's departure, saying, "We have a very big task ahead of us, we acknowledge that Yvette Berry's departure from the cabinet … leaves significant holes to fill in terms of very big ministerial responsibilities."

The health portfolio has been assigned to Marisa Paterson, but Stephen-Smith will retain health infrastructure responsibilities, particularly for the new Northside Hospital project, which she described as being at a critical stage. She said, "I really thought it was important to retain health infrastructure responsibilities at this time because we're in a critical point for the new Northside Hospital and I've been involved throughout this process."

Stephen-Smith emphasized the importance of continuity and collaboration during the transition, adding, "So it's about providing that continuity for some of our really important health infrastructure projects that are either in critical phases or coming to fruition, and then providing some support still in the health portfolio for the incoming minister to make sure that we can work together and I can support her as she transitions to the portfolio."

Reflecting on her experience, Stephen-Smith noted, "Obviously, I've been in cabinet for almost 10 years. I've watched the policy in this space closely, but that is not the same thing as being minister," and acknowledged the steep learning curve ahead.

She also expressed confidence in the current team, stating, "I am absolutely confident that I have a united team."

Sources