Today I was officially sworn in as an Independent Member for Kurrajong in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The day started early with an ABC Radio interview discussing how I see my role as an independent, the conversations I've been having across party lines over the last fortnight, and the negotiation of a supply-and-confidence agreement with the incoming Labor Government (available on ABC Listen here - skip ahead to 2:07:00).
I shot across from there straight to the Assembly to sign the agreement I had reached late last night with Andrew Barr on commitments he would make in return for my support of the formation of a minority Labor Government. You can find my media release announcing that agreement here.
I'm very pleased to have achieved some early policy wins for our community, reflecting commitments we made during the campaign based on extensive community input and expert advice. The 17 terms agreed to by Mr Barr include increasing the proportion of social housing dwellings in the ACT (which has been steadily declining for years), establishing a Strata Commissioner, standing up a comprehensive inquiry into our criminal justice system (which currently yields Australia's highest reoffending rates), increasing the number of park rangers employed to work on environmental conservation and invasive species management in the ACT, reforming funding arrangements for the community sector, examining insurance costs for Canberra-based SMEs, implementing a night-time economy support package, supporting the introduction of our Future Generations Act and its referral to a relevant committee in which I will participate, and more.
I was also careful to make it clear, through both language contained in the agreement and an additional exchange of letters, that I would retain my full independence and pursue policy priorities beyond the scope of agreement, including in important areas like education, women’s safety, GP attraction and retention, active travel infrastructure, and more. The agreement lays strong foundations for me to be an effective independent crossbencher, with provisions for ongoing consultation, committee membership, regular briefings, and sufficient staffing.
You can check out the full terms of our agreement here.
After leaving Mr Barr’s office, I gathered with all incoming MLAs out the front of the Assembly for a smoking ceremony followed by a powerful Welcome to Country from local Ngunnawal Elder Aunty Serena Williams and her daughter.
We then entered the Chamber to be sworn in, electorate by electorate, as Members of the ACT Legislative Assembly. After being sworn in, we nominated a Speaker, which went to Mark Parton uncontested, and voted on the Chief Minister - a silent ballot which was won by Andrew Barr, Leader of ACT Labor, with 16 votes compared to nine for the new Leader of the Canberra Liberals, Leanne Castley. I voted for Andrew Barr. We've published a brief rationale explaining my decision here. The reality, of course, is that there was no viable alternative given the results of the election.
After the leaders of the three major parties spoke, I made a brief statement, recorded in the Hansard as follows:
I rise to inform the Assembly that I will be taking my seat as an independent member, supported by the Independents for Canberra Movement. I hope to spend the next four years repaying the belief and efforts of the 20 candidates who contested this election as part of our group.
I congratulate the other members who have been elected, and especially Ms Carrick, who was also elected as an Independent. I congratulate Mr Barr and Mr Parton on their appointments as Chief Minister and Speaker, respectively.
I am committed to operating in good faith with all members of the Assembly and will work hard during my time here to help achieve meaningful positive change for our community.
Following proceedings, I did a quick media doorstep, hugged my family, and headed back up to our office - currently being shared with Fiona Carrick while arrangements are being made for new offices - to get stuck into a variety of bits and pieces with my fantastic small team.
It was a bit of a surreal day. Sitting in the Chamber for the first time gave me pause to reflect on the people who put me there - all the impressive Canberrans who believe in the independent movement and expressed that belief by running as candidates, volunteering for Independents for Canberra, backing me publicly and privately, donating, and, of course, voting.
What a privilege.
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