The Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories tabled its report, A Capital for All Australians, this week.

Committee Chair Alicia Payne MP (Labor) said the report focuses on upgrading essential infrastructure such as sporting and cultural venues.

Senator David Pocock (Independent), a committee member, highlighted the need for increased Commonwealth investment in the ACT, criticizing both the federal and ACT governments for underinvestment. He advocated for ambitious projects like a new convention center and a centrally located stadium to enhance Canberra’s capacity to host major events.

The committee has received 43 submissions and held nine public hearings since March 2023. Its main report makes 21 recommendations. 

Ms Payne said: “I am excited to share this report that reflects the contribution of vision from so many in our community – from our national institutions, tourism and business, community, sport, arts and transport. Canberra is more than just a city, it’s a symbol of who we are as Australians and it belongs to all Australians. Our 21 recommendations are a roadmap for how this significant role can be recognised, fostered, and celebrated.”

The recommendations focus on investing in and upgrading or developing essential infrastructure such as sporting, entertainment, and arts facilities. This includes GIO Stadium, Manuka Oval, the AIS, the National Convention Centre and the Canberra Theatre Centre.

“The Committee wants to ensure that the national capital’s facilities are modern, comfortable and have the capacity to host world class sporting events, meetings and performances,” Ms Payne said.

The Committee has also recommended improving the accessibility of our national collections through travelling exhibitions and online resources and improving physical connectivity through better transport and pedestrian links.

Senator Pocock: Commonwealth needs to invest more in the ACT

Senator Pocock said the committee unearthed a significant and widespread need for increased investment in the National Capital on the part of the Commonwealth Government.

Senator Pocock tabled additional comments and nine further recommendations, based on the evidence provided to the inquiry, saying more ambition and a sharper focus was needed on the key investments that can shape the National Capital into a place of which Australians can be proud.

“The Committee has done some important work, and I broadly support the main committee report’s recommendations,” Senator Pocock said.

“I am concerned, however, that many of the main recommendations are too broad to be practically useful, and are too influenced by the submissions of one or two stakeholders, rather than the balance of evidence presented to this inquiry.

“Canberra remains the least-known capital city in the developed world, and we receive a disproportionately low amount of federal government investment.

“We were the only state or territory not to get a City Deal under the last government, despite some jurisdictions getting two or more, meaning we missed out on a slice of almost $10 billion in federal funding under the previous government. This deficit still hasn’t been rectified and seems to be part of a broader pattern of the ACT missing out. 

“According to a 2022 Royal Life Saving report, the ACT received $0 of the combined $316.5 million in Commonwealth funding delivered and committed for aquatic facilities across Australia from 2017 to 2022.”

Pocock: ACT Government is missing opportunities

Senator Pocock also noted concerns with the ACT Government’s interaction with the inquiry, saying they had failed to fully realise the opportunity it had presented.

“Of 31 written questions on notice sent to the ACT Government following its appearance at the hearing, only seven received a response,” Senator Pocock said.

“This inquiry was an opportunity to put forward a strong case to address decades of underinvestment in the future of our city that unfortunately the ACT Government doesn’t appear to have taken full advantage of.

“There is a really concerning story we are seeing emerge across a whole range of areas – from Specialist Disability Accommodation to swimming pools – where the ACT Government isn’t putting in bids for buckets of Commonwealth funding.

“With such a small revenue base, we need the ACT Government to pursue every Commonwealth dollar that we might be eligible to receive and strongly make the case for increased investment.”

Senator Pocock’s recommendations sought to go beyond the “development of the National Convention Centre” recommended in the main Committee report to call for a full rebuild sufficient to accommodate the required exhibition space, consistent with evidence tendered to the inquiry.

Similarly, while the main Committee report recommends ‘upgrading’ Canberra’s stadium infrastructure, the evidence provided to the inquiry overwhelmingly indicated that a new stadium is needed. 

Senator Pocock said the main Committee report’s finding that “any new stadium would now only be built in Bruce” was not supported by the majority of evidence tendered to the committee which favoured a centrally located stadium co-located with a convention centre.

“The Australian Government wants to host the Conference of the Parties. We’ve known since the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in 2001 had to be moved from Canberra to Brisbane that we don’t have the capacity in the national capital to do this. But we should and we need to get cracking on delivering that. Canberrans have waited long enough,” Senator Pocock said.

Committee’s recommendations

Recommendation 1

That all National Institutions publish public transport and pedestrian access information on their websites to ensure that visitors and residents are aware of transport options beyond the use of private vehicles.

Recommendation 2

That the National Capital Authority continue its works to improve pedestrian accessibility and footpaths between bus stops and all National Institution buildings, and within the National Triangle.

Recommendation 3

That the Commonwealth Government work with the ACT Government to establish a hop-on hop-off shuttle bus service which stops at each National Institution, and other ACT points of interest.

Recommendation 4

That the Commonwealth Government prioritise the Sydney to Canberra rail connectivity and capacity project to improve passenger services and travel time.

Recommendation 5

That the Commonwealth Government work with the ACT and New South Wales Governments to provide additional train services and carriages on the Sydney to Canberra rail line.

Recommendation 6

That the Commonwealth Government develop and fund a marketing campaign that promotes digital access to Australia’s national collections, particularly to regional, rural, and remote communities.

Recommendation 7

That the Commonwealth Government consider core funding to the National Institutions for touring exhibitions of regional, rural, and remote communities.

Recommendation 8

That the National Capital Authority work with the ACT Government to develop a single online platform that provides useful visitor information on all the National Capital and collecting institutions and points of interest. Information should include but not be limited to access and transport options, current events, and exhibitions, and ways to link and explore people, places, and themes across the institutions.

Recommendation 9

That the National Capital Authority develop a Canberra pass or ticket that provides entry to range of National Institutions, including ticketed exhibitions and shows, and provides certain discounts and offers for pass holders.

Recommendation 10

That the Commonwealth Government formalise the coordinating role of the National Capital Authority to oversee and coordinate the work and tourism opportunities of Canberra’s national and collecting institutions.

Recommendation 11

That the Commonwealth Government review the current PACER program to ensure that the program provides an opportunity for all Australian schools to participate, and to tailor a program to suit schools’ educational and travel needs.

Recommendation 12

That any Commonwealth Government review of the PACER program examine the potential for:

• a broader range of fields not currently covered by the program such as science, arts and culture;
• the inclusion of smaller institutions as part of the program;
• more flexibility for schools to visit institutions that support particular learning or education programs within schools; and
• remote participation options for schools that are unable to travel to Canberra.

Recommendation 13

That the Commonwealth Government develop a National Capital welcome and information pack to be provided to visitors and participants of national programs such as PACER and Australian citizenship ceremonies.

Recommendation 14

That the Commonwealth Government work with the ACT Government to upgrade Canberra’s stadium infrastructure to:

• provide the necessary infrastructure to support national and international sporting events;
• improve training and preparation facilities for athletes and teams;
• include gender-friendly player facilities; and
• improve spectator experience and comfort through increased stadium capacity, improved seating and weather protection, accessible parking and transport options, and suitable corporate facilities.

Recommendation 15

That the marketing and promotion of Manuka Oval as a boutique sporting facility be improved to raise the profile of the National Capital as a destination and attract more visitors.

Recommendation 16

That the Commonwealth Government invest in the AIS to ensure it remains a world class institution and able to fully support Australian athletes in the lead up to international sporting competitions, including the 2032 Brisbane Olympics and Paralympics.

Recommendation 17

That the Commonwealth Government fund the development of the National Convention Centre to support national and international meetings of business, community and government, and to increase visitation to the National Capital.

Recommendation 18

That the Commonwealth Government work with the ACT Government to assist with the redevelopment of, and investment in, the Canberra Theatre Centre.

Recommendation 19

That the National Capital Authority upgrade Stage88 to attract performers outside of the Territory and maximise the potential of the venue to host a broader range of events and performances.

Recommendation 20

That the Commonwealth Government, in consultation with the ACT Government and non-government bodies, promote Commonwealth and National Heritage Listed sites within the National Capital.

Recommendation 21

That the Commonwealth Government work with the ACT Government to improve visitor experience at local ACT lookouts, including Mount Ainslie, Red Hill, and Black Mountain, and that a feasibility study be undertaken to examine food and comfort options for each site.

Senator Pocock’s recommendations

Recommendation 1

That the Commonwealth Government invest in the completion of the original City to the Lake vision, as presented in the ACT Government’s 2014 City Plan, to increase connectivity between the City Centre and Lake Burley Griffin, unlock land for much-needed housing and present space for Canberra’s new convention centre and stadium to be optimally located.

Recommendation 2

That the Commonwealth Government invest in the construction of a new National Convention Centre with an exhibition space of at least 10,000 square metres capable of servicing Canberra’s current and future needs as Australia’s meeting place.

Recommendation 3

That the Commonwealth Government invest in the construction of a new National Stadium co-located in Civic with the new National Convention Centre, and that the NCA work collaboratively with the ACT Government to modernise sound laws in the National Capital.

Recommendation 4

That the Commonwealth Government invest in the construction of a new Civic Pool in Commonwealth Park.

Recommendation 5

That the Commonwealth Government remove the efficiency dividend for all our National Cultural Institutions. 

Recommendation 6

That the NCA be given all parking revenue generated on the national land for which it is responsible, and that this additional revenue be used for the purposes of maintaining and restoring that land and the built assets it contains.

Recommendation 7

That the Commonwealth Government request Cricket Australia update its governance structure and the composition of its board to match the rights and representation of the territories to those of the states. 

Recommendation 8

That the Commonwealth Government co-invest with the ACT Government in a Home of Football for the National Capital by contributing the remaining $18.75 million needed to complete the project as originally planned.

Recommendation 9

That the Commonwealth Government provide additional funding to the ACT Government to support its efforts in improving the quality of water flowing into Lake Burley Griffin, including by replacing the concrete stormwater systems with naturalised creeks and wetlands.