1. Andrew James Barr was born on 29 April 1973 and is an Australian politician who has been serving as the 7th and current chief minister of the Australian Capital Territory since 2014 and the treasurer of the Australian Capital Territory since 2011.
Andrew Barr has been the leader of the Australian Capital Territory branch of the Australian Labor Party since 2014 and a member of the ACT Legislative Assembly since 2006.
Andrew Barr is the first openly LGBTI head of government in Australia, and was the first openly LGBTI member as well as government cabinet minister in the ACT Legislative Assembly from 2006.
Andrew Barr was born in Lismore, New South Wales, and was raised in Canberra, attending Holt Pre-School, the AME School, Turner Primary School, Lyneham High School and Lake Ginninderra College.
Andrew Barr studied political science, economics and economic history at the Australian National University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts.
Andrew Barr became involved in student politics, serving as Treasurer of the Australian National University Students' Association and as a director on the board of the Australian National University Union.
Andrew Barr returned to political life in 2002 as a senior adviser to John Hargreaves, the Government Whip.
In early 2004, Andrew Barr won pre-selection for the Labor ticket in the seven-member Molonglo electorate, which included Andrew Barr's suburb of Dickson and that of his previous residence in Braddon.
Andrew Barr campaigned largely on financial management, housing affordability and urban infrastructure issues, such as balanced territory budgets, tax concessions for first home buyers, inner city parking permits and footpath and street lighting upgrades, while expressing support for gay law reform, the reproductive rights of women, multiculturalism and refugees.
Andrew Barr polled strongly in inner city booths and ultimately found himself in contention for the seventh and final Molonglo seat, along with Liberals Jacqui Burke, Zed Seselja and fellow Labor candidate Mike Hettinger, but narrowly missed out, coming in tenth.
Andrew Barr continued working for Hargreaves after the election, but received a second chance at entering the Assembly when the Treasurer, Ted Quinlan, resigned in March 2006.
Quinlan's resignation from the Assembly sparked a ministerial reshuffle, with Andrew Barr immediately entering the ministry upon taking his seat.
Andrew Barr was assigned the Education, Training, Industrial Relations, Sport and Tourism portfolios.
Andrew Barr dedicated most of his maiden speech to economic management, housing affordability and progressive social reform.
Andrew Barr was re-elected to the seat of Molonglo for the 2008 and 2012 ACT elections.
In 2012, following a review by former Treasurer Ted Quinlan, Andrew Barr announced a 20-year program to transform the ACT taxation system, with the intention of making the system fairer, simpler and more efficient.
In October 2019, Andrew Barr launched the ACT Government's Infrastructure Plan outlining key health, transport, education and environmental infrastructure priorities including a new hospital and stadium, Canberra Institute of Technology campus upgrades and stage 2 of light rail.
In 2020, Andrew Barr announced a major expansion of UNSW Canberra, with the establishment of a new campus in Canberra's centre on the existing CIT site.
In September 2019, the Andrew Barr Government approved the business case for stage 2A of the light rail, which is to extend the line with three additional stops from the city centre to Commonwealth Park.
Andrew Barr's government has continued its predecessors' climate change policies, including reducing carbon emissions and increasing the use of renewable energy.
In July 2022, the Andrew Barr Government announced its intention to place a ban on the sale of new petrol cars in the ACT from 2035.
In June 2023, the Andrew Barr Government passed legislation to ban the installation of gas connections in new buildings in the ACT.
In June 2018, the Andrew Barr government launched a container deposit scheme.
Since 2021, the Andrew Barr government has pursued a staggered increase in restrictions on the supply or sale of single-use plastics by businesses.
Andrew Barr has been a strong supporter of same-sex marriage and LGBTI rights, voting in favour of anti-discrimination law reform, civil unions, civil partnerships and same-sex marriage laws.
Andrew Barr's government has continued to support anti-discimination and inclusivity of LGBTI communities.
In 2017, Andrew Barr was a prominent advocate for the 'Yes' campaign in the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey, in which the ACT had the highest Yes result and participation rate in Australia.
In 2020, the Andrew Barr government passed legislation that bans LGBTI conversion therapy.