Page12 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 3 November 2020
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . 2020 Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
The Greens took a bold and progressive agenda to this election, with a plan to build a better normal for Canberra. From the vast and destructive fires and suffocating smoke at the start of the year to the social, emotional and economic impacts of the pandemic, it is clear that business as usual will not help us meet the challenges we are facing. We need to take action to address the climate crisis; we must do more to ensure that everyone has a roof over their head; and we need to confront the growing inequality in our community. My colleagues and I put forward a detailed and cohesive platform designed to respond to these critical challenges, and we are grateful that so many Canberrans related to those ideas and supported us to champion them in this place. We will do our very best to honour the trust you have placed in us.
Today the ACT Greens have voted for Andrew Barr from ACT Labor to be Chief Minister. Over the past two weeks, we have sat down with ACT Labor and discussed our shared values and priorities. These are reflected in the parliamentary and governing agreement that we signed together yesterday. That agreement will enable us to continue a very productive working relationship in this Assembly and in government. The Greens are very proud to have brought forward such an ambitious vision, and the community will see plenty of this vision reflected in the agreement.
As the agreement notes, it comes at a defining moment in our territory’s history. It outlines a strategy to address the major social, economic and environmental challenges we as a community face. The agreement represents the shared commitment of Labor and the Greens to serve the people of the ACT; and to govern with, for and in the best interests of Canberrans.
Our commitment is to work in genuine partnership, while we retain our distinct political identities and operating cultures. We have demonstrated over previous terms that we can collaborate, compromise and innovate to get good outcomes, and that is what we plan to deliver for Canberrans during this term.
The parties agree that the world is facing a climate emergency, and the agreement commits us to undertake rapid science-based action to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
We will take steps to phase out fossil fuel gas in the ACT by building all-electric suburbs and infill developments, creating the ACT’s first gas-free, all-electric commercial centre in Molonglo, and assisting households to make the transition from gas to electric. We will reform the ACT’s building and planning systems to ensure a transition to best practice climate-ready and environmentally sustainable buildings and planning.
We will tackle the ACT’s transport emissions by transitioning to zero emission vehicles and giving people improved options for transport, with an expanded light rail network and better walking and cycling infrastructure.
As a city, we must invest more to address homelessness and access to affordable housing options. Under the agreement, our goal is to deliver 1,000 new public and community housing dwellings by the middle of the decade, and to expand the capacity of our community services to help those in need.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . 2020 Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video