Page 1967 - Week 06 - Thursday, 9 June 2022
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The election of a federal Labor government is a significant opportunity for the territory to achieve progress on a number of reforms and projects that have been blocked or stalled under the previous government. This includes, of course, progress on the development of light rail and the reopening of the AIS arena.
The past two years have been incredibly challenging for Australians, as we have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. I am confident that the election of a federal Labor government will strengthen collaboration between our governments, now that we share common values and long-term economic and social reform priorities. Of particular importance, we will be working together to settle sustainable future funding arrangements for the national COVID-19 response and, in the longer term, national health system reform.
This government welcomes federal Labor’s commitments to help deliver significant benefits to residents of Canberra and the wider region. This includes delivering on climate action, through creating three community batteries across Canberra and delivering Australia’s first national electric vehicle strategy. ACT and federal politics now align, and we must address climate change though investment in renewables and low emissions energy technology in a way that supports this economic sector to grow and create more jobs.
Working people are at the heart of our economy, and Labor will always work to protect them. Making sure that people doing the same job get the same pay and promoting secure employment will mean that more Australians will find themselves in better employment situations. I also fully support the new government’s efforts to raise the minimum wage, noting the positive effect that this will have on those struggling with the cost of living.
The liveability, growth and sustainability of Canberra relies on ensuring that we can legislate on matters that are important to us, and that we are treated equally to other states and territories, while acknowledging the critical role the ACT government plays in supporting Canberra’s position as the national capital. I appreciate federal Labor’s commitment, as a priority, to support recognition of the rights of Territorians to make decisions regarding voluntary assisted dying and to facilitate debate and a conscience vote to restore the rights of the territory to be able to legislate on this important issue.
A stronger ACT and Australian government relationship will boost the development of the nation’s capital to be better connected and more sustainable, more liveable, a city with quality services that our nation can continue to be proud of and call its capital.
In my electorate of Brindabella there are a couple of projects that I am excited to be seeing delivered. This includes a community battery, to be located in Fadden. This is a sign of the way the Labor Party does climate policy: by bringing people together and supporting the whole community with equitable energy access. Real progressives do not take the individualistic approach of subsidising the rich to buy fancy things. Nor do we take the “hope it will go away” approach of the Liberal Party. Instead, we know that a just energy transition is the best for our country and for our future. I firmly
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