ACT Labor leader Andrew Barr pointed to the ongoing leadership by himself and deputy ACT Labor leader Yvette Berry as an example of the stability his party could continue to provide Canberrans. Photo: Claire Fenwicke.
UPDATE 3:30 pm – As even more independents put their hands up to contest the upcoming ACT election, the current government has stressed “stability” and proven leadership helps set them apart from the pack.
ACT Labor revealed its 25 candidates running in the October contest (see list below) with leader Andrew Barr insisting his team was united.
“That stands in stark contrast to the alternate government that’s churned through leaders, deputy leaders, at a rate of knots,” he said.
“There’s a lot of instability on that side of politics.”
He pointed to his government’s leadership throughout the past few years as a reason why Labor was the party to stick with when casting your vote.
“I put forward my leadership during the COVID period, during the bushfires, and during the many and diverse challenges that have been thrown at this community over the last five years in particular, as testimony to how I respond, under pressure, and the sort of governments I lead,” Mr Barr said.
“It’s not just about how we’ve responded in the past but also about our plans for the future.”
The lead-up to the candidate list hasn’t been without controversy for ACT Labor.
It’s been revealed federal MPs and the chief minister all interfered in the pre-selection process for Brindabella after affirmative action rules meant previous candidate Taimus Werner-Gibbings couldn’t be considered for the seat.
He was restored to the ticket with some alterations meaning the party was still able to meet its quota requirements.
Mr Barr said he felt the matter had been resolved.
“The Labor Party takes very seriously our commitments to affirmative action to ensuring that we have gender balance within our team of 25,” he said.
“The result in Brindabella required some minor change in order to ensure that there was that gender balance across the entire team across the entire Territory, but I think that was resolved in an amicable way that was supported right across the party unanimously.”
The Brindabella seat is expected to be a hot contest, with current Labor MLA Joy Burch and Canberra Liberals MLA Nicole Lawder both retiring.
The Greens could also face challenges in this seat after Laura Nuttall was installed following a countback late last year after Jonathan Davis resigned in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations.
All parties have the next eight-and-a-half months to appeal to the public, and more than 100 candidates are expected to run.
Mr Barr said his team’s task from now was to have “hundreds of thousands of conversations” about Labor’s plan for Canberra’s future, with a particular focus on the second half of the 2020s.
While a majority government would be nice, the current Chief Minister is mainly aiming to secure more seats and is preparing to negotiate should independents find their way into the Legislative Assembly.
“I’m a realist. I understand the nature of the system is very heavily stacked against majority governments,” he said.
“I can say confidently that every candidate we put forward, if elected, would make a difference and would make a great contribution to the Assembly, to the community and to ACT Labor.”
ACT Labor has put forward 25 candidates for the October election. Photo: ACT Labor.
8:30 am – “Progressive, practical and proven” – that’s the tagline accompanying the announcement of the ACT Labor candidates who will contest this year’s election.
The team consists of 25 people – including current members of the Legislative Assembly – and was released along with a list of promises the party says will build Canberra’s future and ensure it remains “one of the world’s most liveable cities”.
It contains some familiar faces from the community as well.
These include Capital Region Community Services executive Heidi Prowse, Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT executive director Tim Bavinton, and Northside Community Services executive director Anna Whitty.
ACT Labor Party secretary Ash van Dijk said the pre-selected candidates came from various backgrounds and life experiences, making up a strong team.
“ACT Labor’s candidates are reflective of the communities they seek to represent, from small business owners to community sector leaders, an early childhood educator and a volunteer firefighter,” he said.
“Our candidates are proudly team Labor, as the only party that can deliver both progressive and practical government for Canberra.”
ACT Labor said it planned to continue “record investment” in public health, including more nurses and doctors in Canberra.
It plans to build more public schools, improve TAFE facilities, expand the university sector and employ more teachers.
The party also promised it had a “credible plan” to build the housing Canberra’s expanding population will need while protecting public spaces, along with “once-in-a-generation” infrastructure.
“We will talk to Canberrans about the progressive, nation-leading policies that will improve people’s lives and make Canberra an even better place to live,” a party statement read.
“Canberrans can also expect that with an ACT Labor Government, there will be sensible economic management that will create new jobs and keep our economy the strongest and fairest in the country.”
Cost-of-living pressures are expected to be a hot topic in the election lead-up, and the current Labor MLAs have promised they’ll continue to develop and roll out more practical solutions for struggling Canberrans.
All current MLAs are contesting the next election, except for current Speaker and Brindabella representative Joy Burch.
ACT Labor leader Andrew Barr said he was proud to be part of a growing, inclusive and supportive Canberra, and he was excited about the future.
“Labor’s plan seizes the opportunities over the next five years, ensuring that the nation’s capital realises its potential,” he said.
“ACT Labor has a progressive, practical and proven plan for Canberra’s future. I look forward to working alongside this energetic team over the coming months to put forward our plan to Canberrans.”
The candidates for each Canberra electorate in the October election are:
Kurrajong
- Andrew Barr MLA, chief minister and ACT Labor leader
- Rachel Stephen-Smith MLA
- Aggi Court
- Martin Greenwood
- Marina Talevski
Ginninderra
- Yvette Berry MLA, deputy chief minister and deputy ACT Labor leader
- Tara Cheyne MLA
- Tim Bavinton
- Heidi Prowse
- Sean Sadimoen
Brindabella
- Mick Gentleman MLA
- Louise Crossman
- Brendan Forde
- Caitlin Tough
- Taimus Werner-Gibbings
Yerrabi
- Suzanne Orr MLA
- Michael Pettersson MLA
- Mallika Raj
- Ravinder Sahni
- Pradeep Sornaraj
Murrumbidgee
- Chris Steel MLA
- Marisa Paterson MLA
- Noor El-Asadi
- Nelson Tang
- Anna Whitty.
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