Yesterday marked one year since the 2024 elections, when ACT Labor was re-elected for its seventh consecutive term in government.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr MLA said: “A year ago today, Canberrans voted for Labor’s progressive, long-term vision for our city.

“Since then, we have been focussed on delivering what we promised Canberrans in health, education, housing and community infrastructure.

“We are also undertaking the biggest transformation of our city centre since self-government. 

“It’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape the heart of our city, positioning the ACT to remain one of the world’s most liveable and future-ready places in the decades to come.

“This transformation is well underway, with large-scale projects revitalising the way Canberrans can experience and enjoy our city, including: 

• Extending the light rail network to Commonwealth Park.
• Raising London Circuit, improving connectivity and enhancing amenities between the city and lake.
• Constructing a new lyric theatre, enabling world-class performances to be held in our city.
• A more connected Acton Waterfront – creating a new lakeside destination.
• A new UNSW campus – bring around 6000 students and employees to our city centre. 
• A new Canberra Aquatic Centre, which will also support future Convention Centre and Entertainment Precinct. 

“Canberra’s population has grown by nearly 50 per cent over the past 25 years and is now approaching 500,000. 

“These projects are central to ensuring Canberra continues to grow as a thriving, inclusive and sustainable capital city.

“Alongside the transformation of our city centre, we are also delivering improvements right across Canberra’s suburbs and regions – ensuring every part of our growing city benefits from investment and renewal. 

“This includes new health centres, more parks and playgrounds, upgraded community facilities, better active travel infrastructure, and improved roads and public transport connections.

“This is an ambitious plan for Canberra’s future. One that reflects our values and meets the growing needs of our city.”

Canberra Liberals

Opposition leader Leanne Castley MLA said the Canberra Liberals have “listened, learned, and mapped a new path forward to better serve the voters of the ACT”, identifying where they must improve teamwork, communication, policy development, and connecting with ACT voters.

“After 24 years of ACT Labor government and seven election losses, we must always remember who we’re here to serve, the voters of the ACT,” Ms Castley said.

The Liberals say their report card highlights Labor’s continued financial mismanagement, broken promises of a budget surplus, and billions in debt, and cites the “failed” $78 million HR system and the “heavily criticised” digital health record as examples of waste and poor governance.

“To pay for their failures, ACT Labor has increased or introduced 25 new taxes, hitting households and businesses already struggling with the cost of living,” Ms Castley said.

The Canberra Liberals pledge a different approach: responsible financial management, better healthcare, properly resourced schools, improved local services, and genuine community engagement, Ms Castley said.

“After a year of higher taxes and worsening services, it’s time to draw a line in the sand. Canberrans deserve better, and we will deliver it.”

Mr Barr commented: “In 2024, more Canberrans voted for Labor’s progressive, long-term vision for our city than for the Liberals’ conservative alternative. … The Liberals remain deeply internally divided and obsessively focused on themselves. They constantly push negativity and have not outlined positive plans for Canberra’s future.”

Fiona Carrick MLA

Independent MLA Fiona Carrick said: “Mr Barr’s priority is to transform the City with large-scale projects. However, ensuring the town centres and suburbs have facilities so that locals have something to do and places to meet is not his priority.

“The Woden Town Centre continues to lose sports and recreation facilities, with the Phillip Pool proposed to be demolished and the ice rink to be relocated. Labor has promised a new Woden Community Centre at each of the last three elections, yet nothing has been delivered.

“Molonglo residents are still waiting for their town centre with a college, community facilities and a police station to address crime in the area.

“Congestion and traffic delays on the arterial roads is still an issue.

“There is very little investment in new active travel infrastructure across most of Canberra’s south, with a dedicated off-road cycleway between the City and Woden to enable safe riding still off in the never never. There are also missing links in Coombs, Mawson, Weston and other areas.

“It is important to balance spending on infrastructure between the city and the community’s needs in the town centres and suburbs.”

Thomas Emerson MLA

Independent MLA Thomas Emerson said: “A lot of the Canberrans I’m hearing from are frustrated about an apparent lack of urgency from the Government on the issues they care about.

“We’re seeing growing homelessness and housing insecurity, declining public school enrolments, people continuing to wait beyond clinically recommended timeframes for surgeries, and underinvestment in the basics like footpath maintenance and good lighting in public spaces. There’s a lot of work to do. 

“I’m enjoying the work and am aware of the immense privilege to be representing our community in the Assembly. I’ll continue looking for opportunities to work across party lines to help drive the changes Canberrans expect.”