CHIEF Minister Katy Gallagher announced her impending departure from the Legislative Assembly at lunchtime today in the Assembly Courtyard.
The media assembled.
The staff gathered as if on parade.
The Government Members stood to one side of the rather professionally lit stage. But where was Andrew Barr?
The Chief Minister arrived, her loyal deputy Andrew Barr in tow.
The Chief Minister took her place.
Shane Rattenbury was particularly moved
Andrew Barr and Simon Corbell were annointed leader and deputy leader.
There were hugs
Shane got a special hug
And then enter the Liberals’ Jeremy Hanson
Getting down to brass tacks Katy is stepping down as Chief Minister but will remain as MLA as long as it takes to vote in the caucus for her planned succession of Andrew Barr aas Chief Minister and Simon Corbell as Deputy Chief Minister.
She plans to be resigned from the Assembly “before Christmas”.
The ACT Labor Secretary Matt Byrne has announced nominations for Kate Lundy’s Senate seat will be open from December 8 to December 18.
“If successful, Katy Gallagher would make an enormous contribution in the Federal Parliament. I believe that she would play an important role in the renewal of the Federal Parliamentary Labor Party and I am sure that if she is elected that she would be an asset in a future Federal Labor Government,” Matt rather pointedly said.
“If a ballot is required all eligible members of ACT Labor will be able to vote. The most likely date for a ballot is Saturday 31 January 2015.”
He said Senator Lundy intends to resign from the Senate on 31 March 2015.
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