In power: ACT chief minister Andrew Barr, centre, with his party’s MLAs, from left, Chris Bourke, Joy Burch, Yvette Berry, deputy leader Simon Corbell, Mary Porter, and Mick Gentleman. Photo: Jamila Toderas

Deputy Chief Minister Simon Corbell will become the new health minister, taking on the difficult portfolio on top of his responsibility for Capital Metro and renewable energy, and his role as Attorney-General.

Mr Corbell shoulders the bulk of the workload in the reshuffle.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr announced a minimal reshuffle, dividing former chief minister Katy Gallagher's responsibilities among the existing ministers without changing ministerial jobs significantly. He will look to a wider reshuffle after Ms Gallagher's vacancy in the Assembly is filled.

Mr Barr plans to appoint a sixth minister then, and has already indicated that the person likely to win Ms Gallagher's seat, Meegan Fitzharris, will go first to the backbench. That news makes Yvette Berry the most likely Labor backbencher to be elevated to the ministry, perhaps taking on a role such as education and sparking a wider reshuffle of ministries.

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Mr Barr shied away from giving health to Greens Minister Shane Rattenbury, who keeps his current portfolios of Territory and Municipal Services, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, and sport and corrective services, with the addition of justice.

Mr Barr keeps Treasury, housing and  tourism and takes on the Mr Fluffy issue.

Joy Burch keeps education, disabilities, arts, multicultural affairs, and racing and gaming. She takes on police. 

Mick Gentleman keeps planning, community services and industrial relations.

Mr Barr appeared on ABC Radio's Chief Minister talkback for the first time on Friday, where he fielded questions largely about the light rail line.