Dr Vanessa Picker is an Independents for Canberra candidate for Brindabella. She was a long-time Labor member and president of ALP Abroad until this year.

As an independent candidate, with Independents for Canberra, I wish to make it unequivocally clear: I do not, and will not, support Andrew Barr as Chief Minister of the ACT. The people of Brindabella have spoken – loudly and unmistakably – and their message is clear: it’s time for Andrew Barr to go.

It’s also time for broader change after 23 years of the same government. This statement focuses on my stance regarding Mr Barr’s leadership, but the need for change extends far beyond just one leader.

The people of the ACT deserve a Chief Minister who truly listens, understands their concerns, and takes decisive, meaningful action. For nearly a decade as Chief Minister – and close to 20 years as an MLA – Mr Barr has utterly failed Tuggeranong and its surrounding communities, turning a blind eye to the stories of neglect and harm in our electorate.

His leadership has been characterised by a blatant disregard for accountability, exemplified by, for example, his broken promise to step down as Treasurer – a promise made four years ago and shamefully ignored. This repeated pattern of broken promises and neglect of community needs is unacceptable.

In recent weeks, Mr Barr has resorted to last-minute, hollow gestures and promises, particularly for Brindabella, brazenly admitting that these actions are motivated by his desire for Labor to reclaim the seat narrowly lost in the last election. This is not the conduct of a leader who genuinely cares about the people he serves; it’s the behaviour of someone clinging to power.

Accountability should not be confined to the ballot box every four years. I’m hearing from my community, loud and clear, that Mr Barr should not even have the privilege of leading Labor into the next election.

Labor must explain why they continue to back Mr Barr, despite the strong public sentiment against his leadership. Rumours are even circulating that he has no intention of serving a full term if re-elected, with speculation about political ambition at the federal level. I urge all parties to put forward leaders who are committed to serving a full term if elected. This is crucial for ensuring stability and effective governance.

There is no last-minute gesture or action that could change my mind. Barr’s track record of neglect, broken promises, policy blunders, and misplaced priorities speaks for itself. I stand with the Brindabella community, and I am fully committed to ensuring that their voices are not just heard, but acted upon.

I urge my fellow independent candidates to join me in making this public commitment.

We have a unique and critical opportunity to bring real accountability and meaningful change to the ACT. Let’s stand united in putting our communities first, above the vested interests and the influence of entrenched politicians.

To be clear, this statement does not imply any commitment to support a particular party; I refuse to make such a commitment prior to the election, as doing so would severely compromise my independence and my ability to respond to the evolving needs and views of our community. However, I unequivocally stand by my call for a new Chief Minister.

This election is a chance to create real, lasting change, and I am determined to do everything in my power to ensure that Brindabella – and all of the ACT – finally receives the leadership and the change it truly deserves.

Let’s do politics differently – together!

Belco Party disagrees

The Belco Party, another independent group, said it did not support Dr Picker’s policy.

“Whilst the Belco Party does not believe that Andrew Barr has been a particularly good Chief Minister – let’s face it, he hasn’t – we won’t be dictating to any other party who they can appoint to be its leader, or any other position for that matter,” Jason Taylor, Belco Party co-convenor and candidate for Yerrabi, said.

“This is the second such policy that the IFC have announced (one collectively and this one from an individual) that puts it into a position where they are seeking to dictate ministerial appointments.

“It is not the role of the crossbench to dictate to the government, particularly the executive, what they can and can’t do in terms of appointments. It is hardly independent, and flies in the face of the separation of powers, and neither are policies that we will support.

“The Belco Party’s preference come this October is for a change of government, as we believe that this Labor Government is tired, needs a spell on the sidelines, and Canberra will be better served if they are unshackled from their alliance with the Greens.

“However, whether it’s Liberal or Labor that form minority government come October, if they need the support of Belco Party MLAs, negotiations will be done in good faith and on the issues important to the community, not on who we decide should be the Chief Minister or hold a particular portfolio.

“We will hold the next government to account on the floor of the Assembly and in the public domain for the decisions that it makes.”

ACT Labor has been asked to comment.