Chiaka Barry

Chiaka Barry is an Australian politician who is a member of the Legislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory, representing the electorate of Ginninderra. She is a member of the Canberra Liberals.

Chiaka Barry MLA
Member of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly for Ginninderra
Incumbent
Assumed office 19 October 2024
Preceded by	Elizabeth Kikkert
Personal details
Nationality	Australian
Political party	Liberal
Occupation	Politician

Political career

Barry was selected by the Canberra Liberals as a candidate for Ginninderra for the 2024 election following a vacancy in the party's list in the electorate.^[1]

Barry was elected as one of two Liberals elected to the Legislative Assembly at the 2024 election, representing Ginninderra alongside Peter Cain.^[2] She succeeded Elizabeth Kikkert, who was removed from the Liberals' ticket late in the election and subsequently instead nominated as a candidate of the Family First Party.^[3]

In the ensuing spill of the Liberal leadership, Barry was reported by The Canberra Times as being "widely tipped" as a supporter of Elizabeth Lee continuing as opposition leader; ultimately, Leanne Castley defeated Lee for the leadership in a vote of 5–4.^[4]

Following the election, Barry was appointed as a shadow minister in the portfolios of community services, women, multicultural affairs and Indigenous affairs.^[5]

Personal life

Barry emigrated from the United Kingdom to Australia in 2008 and has since resided in Canberra. She studied law at the University of Canberra and is of Nigerian descent.^[6][7] She was a nominee for the "ACT Australian of the Year" in 2021.^[1]