Andrew Barr

Who is Andrew Barr?

Andrew James Barr is an Australian politician and Deputy Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory. He has been an Australian Labor Party member for the seat of Molonglo in the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly since 5 April 2006, after being elected on a countback to replace former Treasurer Ted Quinlan, who resigned mid-term. Barr was immediately promoted to Cabinet upon his election. As one of only five Ministers in the Territory government, he holds a number of portfolios: Treasurer, Economic Development, Community Services, Tourism, Sport and Recreation, and Tourism and Events.

He is the first openly gay Member of the Legislative Assembly and Minister in the Australian Capital Territory and the first openly gay Cabinet member anywhere in Australia. He has also been a vocal supporter of the territory's affordable housing action plan and same-sex civil union/partnerships bill.