After years of deficits, Andrew Barr has finally let go of Treasury, as the chief minister announces his new, Greens-free cabinet.

Perhaps publicly signalling his preferred successor, Barr has passed the deficit baton and record debt to Chris Steel, a controversial choice given his multi-million-dollar ministerial failures in the last Assembly. Steel also holds the transport portfolio, which includes light rail, a major drain on the city’s finances.

There are three new faces in cabinet: Marisa Patterson, who has been given the demanding portfolios of police, emergency services and corrections, Michael Pettersson (arts, business, skills and youth affairs), and Suzanne Orr (indigenous affairs, climate change, disabilities and seniors) who returns after some years on the backbench.

Tara Cheyne has been promoted to attorney-general as well as looking after human rights, city and government services and the night-time economy.

Rachael Stephen-Smith will continue in health but has the added responsibility for a new portfolio as finance minister.

Deputy Chief Minister Yvette Berry continues in education and has consolidated responsibility for housing.

The chief minister says the government focus this coming four-year term will be on infrastructure, increasing housing supply, making public healthcare more accessible and cost of living relief.

“We will continue to deliver the infrastructure our city needs – from the big, once-in-a-generation projects like the Northside Hospital, Canberra Lyric Theatre and the Canberra Aquatic Centre to more social housing, extending light rail and the local projects that make our suburbs great places to live,” says Barr, also promising 30,000 more homes.

“We will also deliver 5000 additional public, community and affordable rental dwellings in Canberra by the end of 2030.”

Another $150 million will spent to upgrade the public schools, upgrading toilets, classrooms, playgrounds, green spaces and staff rooms.

Alongside the extension of light rail to Commonwealth Park, the government will progressively increase bus service frequency to every 20 minutes on weekdays throughout the term starting in 2025.

“We will purchase an additional 110 electric buses over the next four years. With more buses, we can deliver more bus services, including new rapid services across the city,” says Barr.

Major Projects Canberra will become Infrastructure Canberra and the chief minister will assume the ministerial lead in the government’s infrastructure delivery and chair the cabinet sub-committee tasked with oversight of the program.