What the Labor / Greens Coalition Have Promised to Deliver for the Global Goals in ACT
Saturday October 17 marked the final day for voting in the ACT Election. The result was not as anyone expected with a 3.2% swing towards the Greens and a 0.9% swing away from Labor and 2.9% swing away from Liberal, securing a Labor / Greens Coalition win for the ACT.
The Parliament will be made up of 10 Labor members, 6 Greens members and 9 Liberal members. The Labor and Liberal parties each lost two seats, and the Greens gained 4.
The election commitments from both Labor and the Greens work strongly towards the achievement of the Global Goals. We have outlined some of the commitments below.
Goal 1: No Poverty
- Rebate on energy bills for vulnerable households (Labor)
The Greens did not have an initiative directly targeting this goal; however, many of their policies will indirectly work towards achieving this goal.
Goal 2: Zero Hunger
Labor did not have an initiative directly targeting this goal.
- Food for All strategy (Greens)
Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being
- More healthcare staff (Labor)
- Investment in Calvary Public Hospital (Labor)
- 5 new walk-in health centres (Labor)
- Furrhter services at walk-in centres (Labor)
- New elective surgery centre (Labor)
- Increased mental health support for young people (Labor)
- Hydrotherapy facility in Tuggeranong (Labor)
- Pilot healthcare facility in Molonglo (Labor)
- Pill testing (Greens)
- Clubs for the Community program (Greens)
Goal 4: Quality Education
- More teachers and teaching staff (Labor)
- Upgrade and renewal of public schools (Labor)
- New schools across Canberra (Labor)
- Jobs package for tertiary education (Labor)
- Free early learning for every three-year-old (Labor)
- Future of Education Equity Grants (Labor)
- Low interest loan scheme to support non-Government schools in sustainability (Labor)
- Chromebooks for every high school and college student (Labor)
- Fast-track of removal of hazardous materials in public schools (Labor)
- Free early childhood education (Greens)
Goal 5: Gender Equality
Neither Labor nor the Greens had an initiative directly targeting this goal.
Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
Labor did not have an initiative directly targeting this goal.
- Repairing Waterways policy (Greens)
Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- Big Canberra Battery (Labor)
- Interest-free loans for residential solar (Labor)
- Phasing out of gas (Greens)
Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Youth employment plan (Labor)
- Investment in local tourism (Labor)
- Improved local shopping centres (Labor)
- 4,500 local jobs for the community (Greens)
- Paying Artists policy (Greens)
Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- Better infrastructure in Gungahlin town centre (Labor)
The Greens did not have an initiative directly targeting this goal.
Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
Labor did not have an initiative directly targeting this goal.
- Promoting Social Inclusion policy (Greens)
- Supporting older people (Greens)
- Listening Deeply to First Nations People policy (Greens)
Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Tennis facility in Gungahlin (Labor)
- Upgrades to National Arboretum (Labor)
- Improved playgrounds (Labor)
- Expansion of EPIC (Labor)
- Road and footpath upgrades in Pialligo (Labor)
- Expansion of Canberra Theatre Centre, Gorman House, Tuggeranong Arts Centre (Labor)
- $450 million housing package to end homelessness (Greens)
- Reformation of renters' rights (Greens)
- Off-road walking and cycling paths (Greens)
- Extension of light rail to Mawson (Greens)
- Supporting the Community Sector program (Greens)
- Community Sport package (Greens)
Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- Food recycling service (Labor)
- Circular Economy package (Greens)
Goal 13: Climate Action
- Public buses to transition to zero emissions (Labor)
- Kick-starting Australia's electric vehicle sector (Greens)
- Transitioning to a zero-emissions society (Greens)
Goal 14: Life Below Water
The ACT Government is not responsible for any coastline.
Goal 15: Life On Land
Labor did not have an initiative directly targeting this goal.
- Repairing the Land policy (Greens)
- Establishment of network of Forests (Greens)
Goal 16: Peace, Justice | Strong Institutions
Labor did not have an initiative directly targeting this goal.
- Neighbourhood Democracy program (Greens)
- Raising the Age of Criminality to 14 (Greens)
- Building Safer Communities program (Greens)
Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Neither Labor nor the Greens had an initiative directly targeting this goal.
We are excited to see what the next four years has in store for the ACT and Canberrans as we enter into a new administration post-COVID and the impacts it has had on the community.