The ACT Government has paid Calvary Health Care an additional $65 million to finalise compensation for the 2023 acquisition of Calvary Public Hospital Bruce (now North Canberra Hospital). This is on top of the $23.2 million already paid in early compensation.
Health minister Rachel Stephen-Smith MLA said the figure aligns with forecasts made at the time of acquisition under the Health Infrastructure Enabling Act 2023.
An operations agreement has been signed to support collaboration at the Bruce health precinct.
Greens petition government to restore rent relief fund
ACT Greens Leader Shane Rattenbury has tabled a petition, led by Care Financial, calling on the ACT Government to reinstate the Rent Relief Fund, which was “axed” in the latest budget.
The Rent Relief Fund was launched last year to help low-income renters avoid eviction due to short-term financial crises. Mr Rattenbury said its removal during a cost-of-living crisis would “push [people] closer to homelessness”, and dismissed the government’s proposed targeted support as spin.
Canberra Liberals criticise expenditure and education
The Canberra Liberals have called on Treasurer Chris Steel to confirm whether the 2025-26 ACT Budget complies with the Financial Management Act 1996.
Opposition leader Leanne Castley MLA said that the government had not delivered a surplus since 2007-08, and claimed the Budget fails the ACT’s requirement for expenses not to exceed revenue “over a reasonable period of time”.
The ACT Government said the Canberra Liberals fundamentally do not understand the Financial Management Act 1996. The 2025-26 Budget was prepared and tabled in accordance with the Act on 24 June.
The Liberals have also called on education minister Yvette Berry MLA to guarantee that there will be no cuts to staff, programs or support services amid reports of widespread budget shortfalls in ACT public schools.
Shadow education minister Jeremy Hanson MLA said 77 of 92 ACT public schools are over budget, and that principals have been told to limit excursions, collapse classes, and not renew contracts.
The government is conducting a review into school resources, due to report next year.
Builders warn ACT falling short of housing targets
The ACT is at risk of missing its housing commitments under the National Housing Accord, according to new figures from Master Builders Australia.
The industry group says that new home building starts in 2024-25 fell by more than 50 per cent: only 2,218 homes were started, short of the annual target of 4,200.
They forecast a cumulative shortfall of 3,800 homes over the five-year Accord period — a shortfall of more than 18 per cent.
CEO Anna Neelagama said “dismal” productivity meant new homes were more expensive to build. She called for planning reform and higher densification.
In response, the ACT Government said it is investing to increase housing supply, access, and choice, and remains on track to meet its commitments under the National Housing Accord.
A spokesperson said the pipeline of commenced work remains at nearly a decade high and the approved-but-not-yet commenced work is still strong.
The ACT outperformed all other jurisdictions in new dwelling completions during the Accord’s first three quarters: it completed 3,129 new homes – a shortfall of only 30 new homes — while all other states and territories are behind on their targets.
On average, 1,053 new homes are needed to be built every quarter in the ACT (4,211 new homes annually) to meet the National Housing Accord target of around 21,057 new homes by July 2029.
The spokesperson said the ACT Government is also on track to meet its direct National Housing Accord commitments to deliver 175 affordable homes by 2028-29 through the $100 million Affordable Housing Project Fund.
Canberra population growth
Canberra’s population is forecast to grow from 482,000 in 2024 to 800,000 in 2065, according to new ACT Treasury projections.
Growth is expected across all Canberra districts, especially the Molonglo Valley, Tuggeranong, and the proposed light rail corridor to Woden. Migration will remain the primary driver of growth, as fertility rates are expected to decline.
Independent Murrumbidgee MLA Fiona Carrick says the ACT Government must urgently invest in new sporting, recreational and cultural infrastructure in Woden to meet surging population growth.
She said new Treasury projections show the combined population of Woden and Weston Creek is expected to reach 70,000 by 2029 and 120,000 by 2065, much higher than previously forecast.
“This is not town planning, it is town cramming,” Ms Carrick said.
She accused the government of neglecting community needs and abandoning public facilities while pursuing high-density developments.
She called for immediate planning of an aquatic centre, indoor sports hub, and street theatre/arts centre for the Woden Town Centre.
