Chief Minister, Katy Gallagher, has announced that Dr Chris Bourke will be appointed the fifth Minister in her Cabinet.

Dr Bourke will become the Minister for Education and Training and take on the portfolios of Corrections and Industrial Relations.

Significantly, he will also become the Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, making him both the first Aboriginal Minister to serve in an ACT Government and the first Aboriginal person to take carriage of this important portfolio.

"I welcome Dr Bourke to the front bench and look forward to working closely with him," the Chief Minister said.

"The time had come to appoint a fifth Minister to my Cabinet. Dr Bourke has settled in to his role very well following his election to the Assembly. He has worked hard over the past six months and is ready to take the next step to serve the community and support the Government's work.

"Dr Bourke's personal and professional achievements are extensive, making him a great asset to our front bench. He was the first Aboriginal personto complete a dental degree; he has experience running a private practice; and he has been a member of both Regional Development Australia and the Campaign for Indigenous Health Equality (Close the Gap). He has also been chairman of the Australian Dental Association (ACT Division), President of the Indigenous Dentists' Association of Australia, and Chairperson of the ACT Indigenous Education Consultative Body," Ms Gallagher said.

The Chief Minister said that as a result of Dr Bourke's appointment, there will be changes to the portfolio responsibilities of all Ministers which ensure that workloads are balanced across the five-member Ministry.

In addition to her responsibilities as Chief Minister, Katy Gallagher will retain the Health portfolio and will become the Minister for Territory and Municipal Services.

Deputy Chief Minister, Andrew Barr will retain the important Treasury portfolio as well as Economic Development, and Tourism, Sport and Recreation.

Simon Corbell will remain Attorney-General and continue as the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and the Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development.

Joy Burch will assume responsibility for Gaming and Racing and continue as the Minister for Community Services, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Ageing and Minister for Women.

"We have a strong team, a hardworking team, supported by two experienced backbenchers," the Chief Minister said.

"I am confident Dr Bourke will prove himself to be a highly capable Minister and an important member of our dedicated Ministry."