Labor to lead a progressive ACT Government in partnership with the Greens party

It was very clear on election night that Canberrans have voted for a Labor-led progressive government over the next four years. 

Labor ran a positive, policy-driven campaign. Our campaign was based on our progressive values and focused on how the next ACT Government can create and protect local jobs, respond to climate change and reduce household cost of living.

ACT Labor attracted the most primary votes of any party in the election, becoming the first party to receive over 100,000 primary votes in a Territory election.

Following the conclusion of the count, we know the full outcome of the election, and the result is the most progressive parliament in Australia with 16 of the 25 seats held by progressive MLAs.

The combined primary vote of ACT Labor and the ACT Greens was more than 50% of all votes cast – indicating that a majority of Canberrans are supportive of the shared policy agenda and parliamentary alliance between the two parties in the Legislative Assembly.

The new Assembly will also have the equal highest female representation of any Australian parliament at 56% and will broadly reflect the diversity of our local community. I regret there is not greater cultural diversity and this will be an important area of political focus over the next four years. 

I congratulate and welcome the new members of the ACT Legislative Assembly - Dr Marisa Paterson, Rebecca Vassarotti, Emma Davidson, Jo Clay, Andrew Braddock, Jonathan Davis, Leanne Castley and Peter Cain. Their hard work during the campaign has been reflected in their election.

ACT Labor thanks the staff and volunteers at Elections ACT, led by Commissioner Damian Cantwell AM, for conducting a well run and COVID-safe election.

I want to thank all candidates who contested the 2020 election. Candidates and their supporters make significant sacrifices to contribute to our “festival of democracy” in Canberra, and our city is better for the diverse and broad discussion of policy that has taken place over the past year.

The reality of ACT elections is the vast majority of people contending are unsuccessful. Some of the members of the previous Assembly were unsuccessful at this election and I express my thanks for their contribution. I wish each of them, and their families, all the best for the next stage in their lives. 

I want to particularly acknowledge the contribution of former ACT Labor MLAs Bec Cody, Deepak-Raj Gupta and Gordon Ramsay. 

Bec advocated strongly for workers rights during her time in the Assembly, and helped entrench the rights of workers into the ACT Human Rights Act. She always put secure jobs at the forefront of her wide ranging public policy contributions.

Deepak’s time in the Assembly will be remembered fondly by his colleagues, and ACT Labor’s commitment to construct a new multi-purpose facility at EPIC that will be able to host large multicultural events and performances was, in large part, a result of his work.  

Gordon spent four productive years in the ACT Cabinet, and he did an outstanding job across a number of portfolios. He is passionate about the arts, and he ensured the industry was effectively supported throughout 2020 after being hit hard by COVID-19.

Gordon also advocated strongly for veterans and seniors in the ACT. The Elder Abuse legislation that was introduced and passed in the Legislative Assembly earlier this year is one of many reforms that will form part of his considerable legacy in the Assembly. I personally valued Gordon’s input and advice on policy matters, and I wish him and his family well in the future.

Productive discussions have already commenced with ACT Greens Leader Shane Rattenbury on how our respective parties can work effectively together over the next four years to support Canberra throughout this ongoing pandemic. These discussions will continue in the week ahead and result in a new parliamentary agreement between the two parties. 

The ACT Labor caucus will be meeting on Monday morning to endorse our leadership team and policy program over the next term. 

Labor’s program will focus on how the next ACT Government can continue to lead the nation when it comes to addressing the impacts of climate change, ensuring Government support continues to be directed to those who need it most, and how the Government can support the growth of our employment base to more than 250,000 local jobs by 2025.

This will be reflected in the forthcoming ACT Budgets. 2021 will see two Budgets delivered by the Territory Government to continue our support for the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. This will result in two sets of Budget estimates and annual report estimates, keeping all members of the Assembly very busy throughout the year.

We are ready for the next term of government and looking forward to working with the ACT Greens to deliver a strong, experienced and progressive government for Canberra.