In response to questions on notice, Labor has sought to undermine the Greens' plan to re-naturalise Sullivans Creek-the latest in a pattern of decisions that define this government not by new ideas, but by indiscriminately abandoning measures implemented by Greens Ministers during the last term of parliament.
"The Greens have set the standard for what ambition looks like in government. We deliver reforms that balance vision with pragmatism-protecting nature, supporting renters, strengthening communities, and tackling climate change.
"Labor, by contrast, keeps pulling the plug on positive Greens initiatives that had strong community backing-scrapping plans for a new Safe Haven, cutting the Rent Relief Fund, abandoning evidence-based advice from the Law Reform and Sentencing Advisory Council, gutting support for community organisations like the Technology Upgrade Fund, and letting the climate strategy expire completely.
"Canberrans deserve better. Re-naturalising Sullivans Creek is a big project, yes-but like all major infrastructure, it can be funded over time. Real planning means thinking long-term, not cutting every issue short.
"Labor should be working with the community to make this project happen. Instead, we see the same stale mindset that has long defined the Federal Labor Party-dismissing Greens' solutions not on merit, but simply because the Greens proposed them.
"But this shouldn't be about Greens initiatives vs. Labor initiatives-it should be about good initiatives and giving them the support they need to be delivered in the future.
"There are ways forward, and all that's missing is political will. This government doesn't have to be a handbrake on progress-it can lead with vision, be honest with the community about its ambitions, and all while planning realistically to deliver them.
"But instead, we're seeing that Labor's only instinct is to tear things down.
"The Greens are not calling for Labor to commit to this whole project all at once-we know it needs a thoughtful approach. But we are saying Labor should explore options to deliver this project over the long-term for Canberrans.
"Already we've seen the re-naturalisation of Sullivans Creek does not have to come at the expense of the public pocket too, with organisations like the Dickson Tradies Club proposing to re-naturalising the creek as part of their new development plans.
