Liberal Leader Mark Parton and Greens Leader Jo Clay introduced a co-sponsored motion to the Assembly to censure the Deputy Chief Minister, Yvette Berry, for the ACT Government’s poor performance in her portfolio areas of housing and education.
Thomas supported the motion on the basis of the ACT Ombudsman’s recent finding that Housing ACT had failed to uphold its legal obligations to public housing tenants with respect to timely repairs and maintenance. He also remarked on the Government having walked back infrastructure commitments for public schools in Kurrajong, and the Minister’s inaction in response to declining public school enrolments.
While speaking in support of the motion, Thomas also highlighted other specific policy failures in Minister Berry’s portfolio areas, including:
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The failure to implement the 2013-2033 Aquatic Facilities Planning Framework, which identified a new city aquatic facility with diving facilities as a ‘high priority’. The Government is only now progressing plans on a site in Commonwealth Park 13 years later, and has committed to a new Aquatic Strategy to replace existing framework despite it not being set to expire for another seven years.
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The failure to access Specialist Disability Accommodation funding for NDIS participants living in public housing.
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The failure to develop a long-term plan for community sporting infrastructure.
The censure motion passed with the support of the Liberals, Greens, Thomas, independent MLA Fiona Carrick, while being opposed by Labor and independent MLA Leanne Castley.