Andrew Barr is an Australian Labor Party politician who has served as Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory since December 2014, making him the longest-serving Chief Minister in the ACT's history. Born in Adelaide in 1973, Barr moved to Canberra to study at the Australian National University, where he completed degrees in economics and political science. Before entering politics, he worked as a policy advisor and in the hospitality industry. Barr was first elected to the ACT Legislative Assembly in 2006, representing the electorate of Molonglo, and later Kurrajong following electoral boundary changes.
Throughout his political career, Barr has held several key ministerial portfolios, including Treasurer, Minister for Economic Development, and Minister for Tourism and Events, before becoming Chief Minister following Katy Gallagher's departure to federal politics. Under his leadership, the ACT has pursued progressive policies including marriage equality advocacy, drug law reform, and ambitious climate action targets. Barr has been instrumental in major infrastructure projects such as light rail development and urban renewal initiatives. As an openly gay politician, he has been a prominent advocate for LGBTI+ rights and became the first openly gay head of government in Australia when he assumed the Chief Ministership. His government has consistently focused on economic diversification, housing affordability, and positioning Canberra as a knowledge-based economy while maintaining the territory's reputation for progressive social policies.