Chief Minister Andrew Barr has been in the Legislative Assembly for 18 years, and in power for a decade. ACT Greens leader Shane Rattenbury, Canberra Liberals MLA Jeremy Hanson, and Labor MLAs Joy Burch (retiring this year) and Mick Gentleman have each been in the Assembly for 16 years, and deputy chief minister Yvette Berry for a dozen years.

Too long, believe the Strong Independents, a party running in this year’s election. They propose limited terms for Members of the Legislative Assembly: in their opinion, no MLA should serve more than three terms of four years (consecutive or not).

“Being in government should be for a limited time,” candidate Ann Bray said. “We don’t want career politicians.

“We want our representatives to be hard working and passionate about change, not looking for a lifelong job or be on a power-trip. If you haven’t achieved what you wanted to achieve in 12 years – leave! Let someone else with more ‘juice in their tank’ take over”.

Many countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas have presidential term limits, Ms Bray remarked, while term limits for senators and local government officials are also common. (See table below.)

For instance, the Presidents of the United States, of France, of Indonesia, of Nigeria, of South Africa, and of Taiwan are limited to two terms, while the Presidents of Mexico, of Mongolia, of the Philippines, and of South Korea are limited to a single term, without the possibility of re-election.

Likewise, members of the Mexican Chamber of Deputies are limited to four terms over three years. Members of the Philippine House of Representatives are limited to three consecutive terms, each lasting three years, and members of the Senate to two consecutive six-year terms.

Conversely, countries with unlimited or no set terms for political leaders range from functioning democracies (e.g., Belgium, the Netherlands, Iceland, Italy, Switzerland, Uruguay, Chile, Costa Rica) to ‘not free’ countries like North Korea, China, the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Cameroon, Djibouti, and Venezuela.

“A limited term will bring in fresh talent, new ideas, and increased competition,” Ms Bray said. “It will help prevent abuse of power, complacency, and the concentration of power. It will promote accountability and a greater sense of responsibility and responsiveness.”

Furthermore, Ms Bray argued, a limited term would ensure fresh ideas and renewed energy in government.

“Stale governments are often caused by the same old faces with the same old ideas,” Ms Bray said. “Parties say ‘well, we have new candidates on our ticket’, knowing full well the newbies won’t get in, as they don’t preference them on their How to Vote cards.”

Limited terms for ACT politicians may require the Federal Government to change the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988.

“The current pollies aren’t going to vote themselves out,” Ms Bray said. “We recently announced the concept of a People’s Poll for our city as a way of reinvigorating democracy. If there was a referendum on Limited Terms for MLAs, and the majority of Canberrans voted for it, that would certainly send a message.”

ACT Labor does not have a formal position on the matter of term limits, the party Secretary, Ash van Dijk, said.

An ACT Greens spokesperson suggested the party was open to considering the proposal.

“Integrity, accountability, and openness in politics are vital to a healthy democracy. The ACT Greens believe that those with power must be transparent and responsive to the people they represent.

“As a party committed to accountability in government and parliament, we are always open to proposals which will keep politics in the hands of the people.

“As a party that prides itself in grassroots decision making, it would be a matter for our membership to deliberate on a proposal like this.”