ACT Government, Chief Minister, Andrew Barr at the CAPA Australia Pacific Aviation Summit 2022

Andrew Barr has led a progressive and ambitious agenda for Canberra and the Australia Capital Territory (ACT) since being elected to the ACT Legislative Assembly in 2006 and becoming Chief Minister in 2014. As ACT Treasurer and Minister for Economic Development, Andrew’s long term economic reforms have contributed to over 3 decades of consecutive economic growth in Canberra, and an increasingly resilient and diverse economy. He has worked to improve the lives of Canberrans through major changes to the ACT’s tax system, investing in world-class healthcare, city transforming public transport infrastructure and excellent schools, reaching 100% renewable electricity and making Canberra the most LGBTIQA+ friendly city in Australia. By leading one of the best public health responses to COVID-19 in the world, the ACT became one of the most vaccinated jurisdictions on the planet. This response has led to low mortality rates from COVID and a resilient and confident community and economy. Andrew has been the ACT Tourism Minister for the past 17 years, making him Australia’s longest-serving Tourism Minister, leading significant growth in tourism and business travel to Canberra, particularly by bringing major domestic and international aviation partners to the ACT and growing and diversifying the cities hotel stock which has enabled a booming events and hospitality industry. Since Andrew became Chief Minister, Canberra has been ranked by the OECD as the best city in the world to live, and by Lonely Planet as one of the best cities in the world to visit.