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The Canberra Times

Lucy Bladen

See who's who as Castley unveils new Liberal shadow cabinet

Leanne Castley Elizabeth Lee Ed Cocks Jeremy Hanson Peter Cain

The Canberra Liberals have created shadow ministries for home ownership and customer experience, with the party saying their new-look shadow cabinet will be focused on improving service delivery.

The shadow cabinet will be missing two notable members from the last term as Mark Parton is the speaker and former opposition leader Elizabeth Lee is sitting on the backbench.

Opposition Leader Leanne Castley will retain the shadow health portfolio but will also take on transport, home ownership and seniors.

Liberal member for Murrumbidgee Ed Cocks will be the shadow treasurer, he will also take on the portfolio of government services and customer experience.

Ms Castley said the customer experience portfolio was in response to what she believed was a failure from the government to deliver quality services.

"Canberrans deserve to get value for money," she said.

"Instead of digital drivers licences, we get tens of millions of dollars wasted on bungled IT upgrades ... the Canberra Liberals are focused on addressing the real issues facing Canberrans."

Member for Ginninderra Peter Cain will be the shadow attorney-general, alongside planning and housing services.

Deputy Opposition Leader Jeremy Hanson has been returned to the frontbench taking on the portfolios of education and skills and veterans.

The two new Liberal members Chiaka Barry and Deborah Morris have scored shadow cabinet positions.

Ms Barry will take on community services, women, multicultural affairs and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs. Ms Morris will be the spokeswoman for police and emergency services, corrections and the prevention of family and domestic violence.

Opposition Leader Leanne Castley. Picture by Keegan Carroll

Ms Castley became the Canberra Liberals leader late last month in a leadership spill following a shock move. She beat Ms Lee in a party room meeting.

The new Liberal leader was initially expected to support Ms Lee and remain the deputy leader but decided she would run for the leadership the day before. Ms Castley told The Canberra Times she did not believe the Liberals had gained enough ground and that the party needed a new direction.

Ms Lee declined a position in the shadow cabinet.

Ms Castley said in an interview on ABC Canberra on Monday, November 18, she had offered Ms Lee roles in the attorney-general, womens, and domestic and family violence portfolios. All of which were declined.

Ms Castley said the new team would use their experience to stand up for Canberrans.

"I am delighted to lead an experienced, energetic and optimistic team ready to fight for the community's interests," she said.

"Every member of my Liberal team brings unique skills and experiences to their roles and will use these to stand up for Canberrans and to hold the Labor minority to account."