Independent Chair appointed to lead ACT health system inquiry

The ACT Government has appointed Michael Walsh PSM to chair an independent inquiry into health system data, service demand, and workforce challenges.

The inquiry will examine issues including the implementation of the Digital Health Record, planned care reforms, and factors affecting staff morale and retention.

Mr Walsh is a former senior public sector official in Queensland and NSW, and was independent co-lead reviewer for the National Health Reform Agreement. He has already visited public health facilities, and will be supported by a consultancy team.

A final report will be tabled in the ACT Legislative Assembly by 30 June 2026. 

Greens move to condemn racist anti-immigration rallies

The ACT Greens have condemned recent anti-immigration rallies held in Canberra and across Australia last weekend.

Leader Shane Rattenbury MLA said the rallies promote racism and fear, and have left multicultural communities feeling unsafe.

Greens push for wood heater phase-out plan

Last term, the government stated it would phase out wood heaters by 2045, but the Greens claim Labor has made little progress. Greens MLA Laura Nuttall called on the ACT Government to publish a phase-out plan by July.

She said wood smoke poses serious health risks, particularly in the Tuggeranong and Weston Creek valleys, and for the 65,000 Canberrans with asthma or respiratory issues, and cited Clean Air Canberra estimates that 63 ACT residents die prematurely each year from exposure to wood heater smoke.

Climate Change Minister Suzanne Orr MLA defended the government’s “in-principle” support, but said any mandatory removals would require further consultation. An amendment she moved argued that a register would be costly and deliver limited benefits, that current air quality monitoring meets national standards, and that wood heaters contribute less than 0.02 per cent of ACT emissions.

The Conservation Council ACT Region criticised the ACT Government for backtracking on its commitment, accusing it of prioritising political convenience over public health. Executive director Dr Simon Copland called for a faster phase-out, financial support for low-income households, more air quality monitoring, and an immediate ban on new wood heater installations.

Greens call for federal funding boost

The ACT Legislative Assembly passed an ACT Greens motion calling on the government to recover more than $650 million in federal underpayments and secure a better funding deal for the Territory.

Greens deputy leader Jo Clay MLA said Canberra was missing out on at least $116 million a year in health funding, as well as $550 million in population backpay. The Greens also wanted the ACT’s historic housing debt waived, equitable infrastructure funding, and faster hospital discharge support for aged care and NDIS patients.

The Greens’ proposal for the fossil fuel tax was struck out during debate: Labor and Liberals voted together to remove it.

Carrick calls for urgent safety measures at Cotter Road intersection

Independent MLA Fiona Carrick wants the ACT Government to install traffic lights and a safe pedestrian crossing at the Cotter Road–Fryer Road intersection near Amberfield Seniors Village.

She says the uncontrolled crossing is dangerous for residents, staff and visitors who must navigate 80 km/h traffic — “a black spot in the making”. Cars have crashed into the safety barrier and nearly hit cyclists. The closest safe pedestrian crossing is nearly a kilometre away and the nearest bus stop 1.3 km away — too far for elderly residents to walk.

Safe haven for rare wallabies

Six critically endangered Southern Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies have been released from quarantine into the Jedbinbilla Safe Haven at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve.

The wallabies, flown in from Victoria, join the reserve’s protected population as part of a national strategy to maintain the species. Two ACT wallabies were sent to Mt Rothwell Sanctuary in Victoria.

The exchange aims to increase the species’ genetic diversity and improve their resilience to climate change with a view to reintroducing them to the wild, city services minister Tara Cheyne MLA said.

Government to improve construction procurement

The ACT Government will introduce a Culture in Construction Standard across all government-funded infrastructure projects.

The standard promotes work-life balance, mental health, and inclusion.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr MLA said it would improve safety and retention in the construction industry, help deliver projects efficiently and sustainably, and simplify procurement.

Protecting bus drivers and passengers

The ACT Government has introduced a bill to give Transport Canberra officers and ACT Police new powers to order antisocial and violent people to leave bus stops and interchanges.

Better cabin protection safety screens will be installed in buses, and the government will recruit Transport Enforcement Officers.

Transport minister Chris Steel MLA said the changes responded to bus drivers’ reports of occupational violence.

New entrance at Canberra Hospital

The new Yamba Drive entrance opened at Canberra Hospital, completing the $660 million Canberra Hospital Expansion Project.

The entrance features a courtyard; a bus stop; and dedicated spaces for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and for veterans; and Lounge and Courtyard.

ACT consent laws working as intended, review finds

In 2022, the ACT became the first Australian jurisdiction to legislate an affirmative communicative model of consent. A review of those laws has found the 2022 reforms are working effectively, and that definitions for consent are clear and aligned with community views, Attorney-General Tara Cheyne MLA said.

Since the laws were introduced, reporting and charging rates for sexual offences have increased, and the and the number of people withdrawing reports before police lay charges, has fallen.

The government launched an affirmative consent public awareness campaign in July.

Voluntary assisted dying oversight board meets

The ACT’s Voluntary Assisted Dying Oversight Board met for the first time ahead of the scheme’s commencement in November.

The seven-member board will monitor the operation of the scheme, review practitioner reports, and advise health minister Rachel Stephen-Smith MLA.

Pocock launches voluntary register of lobbyist access passes

ACT Independent Senator David Pocock is setting up a voluntary public register listing lobbyists with privileged access-all-areas passes to Parliament House.

The register will be published in October at www.passregister.com.au. Senator Pocock has asked all parliamentarians to disclose whom they sponsor, as he has on his website. He argues that lobbying must be transparent to protect democracy.

Last term Senator Pocock introduced a private senator’s bill for broader lobbying reforms, including tougher laws and independent oversight.

Drug Action Teams target road safety, parent education, and campus harm

A report released at Parliament House this week shows that the Alcohol and Drug Foundation’s Local Drug Action Team is a proven formula for alcohol and other drug prevention.

In the ACT, CRCS Community Youth Engagementran eight road safety courses at Belconnen and Woden Youth Centres, attended by 128 young people. Ninety percent reported increased knowledge and confidence about alcohol and drug risks while driving or being a passenger.  

Multicultural Hub Canberra and the Queanbeyan team delivered workshops for multicultural parents workshops on how to talk to children about alcohol and drugs. The program helped reduce stigma and prompted more families to seek support.    

Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Association (ATODA) trained university staff on how to recognise and reduce risky alcohol and drug use among students.