The ACT Government declares it has made “significant progress” to deliver projects outlined in ACT Labor and the ACT Greens’ Parliamentary and Governance Agreement for the 10th Legislative Assembly for the ACT.
Milestones between 1 October 2021 and 30 September 2022, the government’s report states, include “taking proactive steps towards climate change action, supporting the transition away from gas, extending homelessness services, providing accessible housing, protecting local jobs, and addressing cost of living pressures”.
Of 102 initiatives listed, 16 have been delivered; 81 are on track; four have been delayed; and one is no longer progressing.
| Delivered | On track | Delayed | No longer progressing | TOTAL | |
| Next steps on climate change action | 6 | 15 | – | 1 | 22 |
| More and better housing options for all Canberrans | 1 | 8 | 2 | – | 11 |
| Action to improve Canberra’s planning system | – | 17 | 1 | – | 18 |
| Building Light Rail Stage 2 | – | 3 | – | – | 3 |
| Reducing harm from gambling while supporting sustainable clubs | 3 | 7 | – | – | 10 |
| Early childhood education | – | 1 | – | – | 1 |
| Fostering Neighbourhood Democracy | – | 1 | – | – | 1 |
| Legislative Reform | 1 | 19 | 1 | – | 21 |
| Executive Reforms | 2 | 5 | – | – | 7 |
| Administrative Reforms | 3 | 5 | – | – | 8 |
| TOTAL | 16 | 81 | 4 | 1 | 102 |
The three most prominent milestones are making it easier for Canberrans to own zero emission vehicles (the Zero Emissions Vehicles Strategy 2022–30 to have 80 to 90 per cent of new vehicle sales be ZEVs by 2030, and financial incentives to help Canberrans buy ZEVs); zero-interest loans for sustainable homes and community organisations (the Sustainable Household Scheme’s interest free loans of up to $15,000); and more housing options for vulnerable Canberrans (Common Ground Dickson, opened in October).
- Zero emission vehicles will be ‘easier and cheaper to access’, ACT Government says (20 July)
- ACT to phase out fossil fuel-powered vehicles by 2035 (18 July)
- Zero for zero: Interest-free loans for emissions-free electric vehicles (7 December 2021)
- Sustainable Household Scheme loans for community groups (30 August)
- Common Ground Dickson opens, Berry pleads for acceptance (7 October)
Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the ACT Government has made good progress on other initiatives: supporting more than 7,800 Canberra households to make sustainable upgrades to their homes; procuring the design and construction of the next stage of light rail; amending the Crimes Act and associated legislation to include reforms identified by the Sexual Assault Reform Program; introducing regulations to protect tradespeople from silica dust; legislating to prevent the outsourcing or privatisation of public sector jobs; universal access to early learning for three-year-old children in the ACT.
- Light rail – London Circuit construction work begins (10 October)
- Rattenbury introduces bill to reform sexual assault laws (11 October)
- ‘Unsafe’ legislation could close ACT construction sites (11 October)
- Greens: Outsourcing undermining public service (20 October 2021)
- ACT strategy for children’s first 1,000 days (4 November)
“As our city grows, the ACT Government will continue to invest in key infrastructure and strengthen government services to ensure Canberra remains one of the world’s most liveable cities,” Mr Barr said.
Shane Rattenbury, ACT Greens leader and Attorney-General, was pleased the ACT opened Australia’s first fixed pill testing site, to reduce harm from drugs. It and other initiatives showed that “Canberra is a progressive jurisdiction, with a progressive two-party government,” Mr Rattenbury said.
Next year, Mr Barr said, the government will begin consultation on voluntary assisted dying legislation. He also wants the ACT to have the country’s highest ‘Yes’ vote in the Voice to Parliament referendum.
- Work begins on voluntary assisted dying for ACT Government (2 December)
- ACT politicians welcome Territory rights after 25 years (2 December)
While most initiatives are delivered or on track, some have been delayed: a MyHome proposal in Curtin; a build-to-rent affordable rental co-located with Common Ground Gungahlin; waste processing facilities in Hume; and legislation about modern day slavery.
One initiative will no longer be progressed: injecting zero-emissions gas alternatives into the ACT gas network to reduce emissions intensity.
- New food, garden waste composting facility to open in Hume (25 March)
- ACT reveals pathway to electrification (4 August)
Canberra Liberals leader Elizabeth Lee, however, was unimpressed.
“For the Chief Minister and the Leader of the Greens to be patting themselves on the back for the small number of outcomes they have achieved through the Parliamentary Governing Agreement shows just how out of touch they are,” she said.
“While the Chief Minister is crowing about what they have delivered, our health system is in crisis with a workforce shortage and the longest emergency wait times in the country; education standards continue to fall with teachers crying out for support; we have the lowest number of police per capita; and a housing affordability crisis that includes less public housing dwellings than we had a decade ago.
“It is time for the Chief Minister and his Greens colleagues to look beyond their political bubble and actually start taking responsibility and address the large number of failings of his government that are having a significant impact on many Canberrans doing it tough,” Ms Lee said.
