Housing options for Canberrans are to be increased under the latest update of the Parliamentary and Governing Agreement (PAGA) for the 10th ACT Legislative Assembly.
Providing details on the PAGA update, Chief Minister Andrew Barr said it also included proactive steps towards climate change action, the introduction of an electric vehicle strategy and extending homelessness services.
Mr Barr (pictured left) said the PAGA – which summarises the shared priorities and commitments of the two ACT Labor and ACT Greens parties – was first signed by all Labor and Greens MLAs represented in the ACT Legislative Assembly following the 2020 Election.
“ACT Labor continues to implement the commitments taken to the 2020 ACT Election, and the priorities shared with the ACT Greens which are outlined in the PAGA,” Mr Barr said
“We are particularly pleased to see good progress on a number of initiatives in the PAGA.”
He said this included supporting over 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 (SARP); and introducing regulations to protect ACT tradespeople from silica dust.
Mr Barr said the Agreement also saw legislation to prevent the outsourcing or privatisation of public sector jobs and the delivery of universal access to early learning for three-year-old children in the ACT.
“Over the coming 12 months, the Government will start consultation on voluntary assisted dying legislation following the removal of the Andrew’s Bill in the Australian Parliament,” the Chief Minister said.
“Government members of the Assembly will also play an important role in our community in the lead up to the Voice to Parliament referendum in 2023, with a goal for the ACT to record the highest ‘Yes’ vote in the country,” he said.
“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.”
