The ACT Greens are laying the groundwork for a new agreement with the ACT Labor Government - real, measurable commitments that deliver for Canberrans and the environment.
After the 2024 Territory election, former Greens leader Shane Rattenbury struck an agreement with Chief Minister Andrew Barr. That agreement saw the ACT Greens move to the crossbench: rather than holding Ministries, Greens MLAs agreed to support Mr Barr as Chief Minister in exchange for a commitment by Labor to deliver a range of specific community outcomes under a confidence and supply agreement. That agreement expired with Mr Rattenbury's retirement from politics.
New ACT Greens Leader Jo Clay has now approached the Chief Minister to negotiate a new agreement. With only two years left this term, there is mutual appetite for a short, sharp agreement that delivers tangible outcomes for the community.
"Canberrans deserve published, enforceable commitments from the ACT Labor Government, not two years of good intentions," Ms Clay said.
Ms Clay noted the pattern of delayed delivery and community concerns about the Government's performance.
"This isn't one bad headline. It's a public housing waitlist that keeps growing, essential services like libraries being cut, projects being continually delayed, public school teachers and waste collection workers pushed to strike. The warning signs are flashing. Canberrans can see this pattern, and they expect better. That's why we're at the table: to work with the Labor Government to get our city back on track, deliver outcomes, and provide the stable government Canberrans need."
The ACT Greens' priorities for a new agreement are:
- Integrity and accountability
- Housing and renters' rights - stronger protections, and more public and community housing
- Climate and environment - protecting the Western Edge, and delivering on recycling and waste
- Health, disability and education - more free GP visits, stronger support during proposed NDIS cuts and commitments to our public schools
- Public transport and community services - free travel for concession card holders, and community libraries open on weekends
- First Nations justice.
Ms Clay said negotiations were underway and progressing constructively. "The Greens are negotiating in good faith, and we want this agreement to succeed, because Canberrans are the ones who benefit when it does. But community confidence must be earned, item by item.
"Given that this agreement is being negotiated in the shadow of Operation Kingfisher, our first asks are real integrity outcomes to restore confidence in government.
"Our focus remains on housing, protecting our environment and climate, going further and faster on buses and light rail, and supporting the most vulnerable people in our city."
