As we build up to the 2024 ACT election in October, Marisa Paterson MLA and Jeremy Hanson CSC, MLA will write a column each week covering different topics. This is the ninth instalment.

Jeremy Hanson

Having served in the Army for over 22 years, getting a better deal for ACT-based veterans was one of my driving motivations to become an MLA.

As a nation, we are proud of our veterans, and, as the only veteran in the ACT Assembly, I was disappointed when first elected at just how poorly the veterans’ community was being served by the Labor-Greens government.

There was not even a responsible Minister for Veterans.

That was despite there being 22,000 veterans in Canberra.

In 2009, I was pleased to create the first Shadow Ministry for Veterans’ Affairs in the Assembly – a move which the government then followed.

I also campaigned for a Veterans’ Advisory Board – which was then established.

Unfortunately, I am disappointed with what has actually been delivered.

Recently, I presented a petition for residents of the Australian Capital Territory that were crying out for support and services. This petition gained hundreds of signatures.

It first drew attention to the fact that, for those 22,000 veterans and their families, there was not one single dedicated venue provided for them to meet. We are all aware of groups who gain government support – so why not also veterans?

It then asked that the government provide a dedicated space for veterans. This facility will be a secure place to meet and house equipment for musicians, yoga, martial arts and other functions to enhance the wellbeing of all veterans in the ACT.

I was very proud to present that petition to the Assembly, and even prouder that the Canberra Liberals have announced they will not only meet this request, but we will go even further to support this important community.

The Canberra Liberals will first provide a dedicated facility for veterans of the ADF, the AFP, ACT fire fighters, paramedics and all frontline responders.

The Canberra Liberals will back this up with further support through a grants program, and we will also provide funding for the establishment of a dedicated veteran community co-ordinator. This will be complemented by an online portal tailored to support and service the needs of veterans.

This support is well deserved and long overdue, and the Canberra Liberals will deliver for our veterans.

I hope, once again, the government will follow our lead.

Marisa Paterson

For one of the smaller cities in Australia, Canberra consistently punches above its weight when it comes to developing world-class sporting talent. Sport is a big part of my family’s life. I spend most weekdays and weekends driving kids around Canberra to the various sports they play. As a nation, we talk a lot about the online, isolated modern world we live in, and a strong antidote to that is grassroots sport. That is why ACT Labor is strongly committed to supporting our local sport. This term, it has been my absolute pleasure to have worked closely with many of our local sporting organisations and groups. What is very clear to me is that local sports contribute significantly to promoting a sense of community, social inclusion, healthy lifestyles, and youth development.  

Growing the next generation of sporting stars requires strong investment in the junior levels. Since 2016, ACT Labor has been focusing on increasing female participation in sport. ACT Labor has been committed to female-friendly change rooms, toilets, and exterior lighting to make our pavilions more inclusive for female athletes. We have upgraded 38 of 56 pavilions to date and it is ACT Labor’s commitment to have the remaining 18 upgraded next term.

Under a re-elected ACT Labor Government, new sporting facilities will be built around the city including the Amaroo Tennis Centre, Taylor Playing Fields, Aquatic Centre in Commonwealth Park, and Stromlo Playing Fields. A feasibility study is underway on additional indoor sporting facilities in the Woden Town Centre. Existing infrastructure will also be upgraded such as the Tuggeranong Leisure Centre, an expansion of the Calwell Netball Courts, and improved lighting at Waramanga and Stirling. ACT Labor has also committed to making Canberra the ‘mountain bike capital of Australia’ with further works on the Stromlo Mountain Bike Trails.

ACT Labor is also committed to continue supporting elite sport in Canberra. I was very excited to see ACT Labor support both a men’s and women’s Big Bash team for Canberra. It will make Canberra a destination for domestic and international cricket. Labor is also committed to building a new 30,000 seat stadium in Bruce and a new Convention Centre with capacity to host sports such as basketball and netball.

Promoting a sense of community through investment in our grassroots sport is something that ACT Labor is strongly committed to.