ACT Greens MLA Laura Nuttall introduced a motion to the Assembly calling for greater funding for the Territory’s community sector.
Miss Nuttall’s motion called, specifically, for a funding uplift of $20 million per year over the forward estimates.
During the debate, Thomas spoke in support of the motion, highlighting that the 10 per cent of Canberrans living in poverty rely heavily on community sector support. Thomas also introduced an amendment to the motion noting that in supply-and-confidence agreements with Thomas and the ACT Greens, ACT Labor had committed to reviewing funding for the community sector prior to the 2025-26 budget and to progress outcomes through future budgets to account for growth in salaries, population and complexity of client need. In his remarks, Thomas reflected that this latter commitment was yet to be fulfilled, and called for serious consideration to a funding uplift in the forthcoming budget.
ACT Labor moved amendments to the motion, removing a firm commitment to a funding boost of $20 million per year and, instead, committing the ACT Government to respond to funding requests from the community sector. The ACT Greens then moved minor amendments to ACT Labor’s amendments, which were passed unanimously.
The motion, as amended, was passed by the Assembly without opposition.