Thomas was appreciative to receive unanimous support from the Assembly to be appointed as the Chair of the new Social Policy Committee.

Assembly Standing Committees are responsible for examining and inquiring into matters related to the governance of the ACT. The Social Policy Committee will be responsible for:  

• • Early Childhood Development
  • Education
  • Youth Affairs
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs
  • Multicultural Affairs
  • Disability
  • Women (including the Office for Women)
  • Seniors
  • Veterans
  • LGBTIQ+
  • Health and health system
  • Justice Health
  • Mental Health
  • Homelessness and housing services
  • Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence
  • Families
  • Community Services
  • Social Housing
  • Intergenerational Fairness

Thomas gained support for an amendment adding Social Housing and Intergenerational Fairness to the committee’s remit, recognising the fundamental importance of addressing structural inequities that are leaving young people worse off as well as maximising the availability of subsidised housing availability for people on lower incomes in the ACT.

Thomas was also appointed as a member of the Economics, Industry and Recreation Committee.

Committees look a little different every term, with committee structure voted on by the Assembly at its first sitting. This term will see a contraction in the number of committees from eight to six, with the Social Policy Committee amalgamating two committees from last term. 

Each committee’s terms of reference and membership were negotiated through several good-faith conversations with the three parties and the other independent prior to the vote, and Thomas was very happy with the agreed format and composition of this term’s committees.

Video: Legislative Assembly - Tuesday, 3 December 2024

Thomas’ Speech: 11:56:01 am