With only eight days left until the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) elections, Chief Minister Andrew Barr and Liberal leader Elizabeth Lee squared off in a debate at the National Press Club in Canberra.
It was marked by sharp exchanges between the two major parties, as independent candidates also vie for attention to present voters with an alternative choice on the future of the nation’s capital region.
The ACT electorate is, on average, the most educated and affluent voter base in the country, as well as the youngest.
Employment in the capital region has typically been linked with the Australian Public Service, but current leader Barr says that percentage has dropped to 24 percent of the population in 2021, down from 31 percent in 2011, during his State of the Territory address earlier this year.
Cost of Living Crisis
The debate commenced with a focus on the cost of living, with Lee asserting that Barr was “the worst treasurer that the ACT government has ever seen.”She criticised his administration for orchestrating a “mudslinging fear campaign” against the opposition.
The Canberra Liberals aim to distinguish themselves from the long-standing Labor-Greens coalition by promising to deliver 125,000 new homes by 2050, and construct a new 30,000-seat lakeside sports stadium.
Additionally, they plan to abandon the light rail extension to Woden, a significant project currently championed by the Barr government.
If elected, Lee has pledged to cap residential rate increases at 2.2 percent and roll back some of the ACT’s liberal drug laws, which decriminalised small quantities of illicit substances like cocaine and heroin.
The Liberal Party faces an uphill battle against the 23-year-old Labor government in ACT.
Barr said his party was focused on sustaining ACT’s growth and infrastructure development while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
He emphasised ongoing investments in health, education, and public transport, including the extension of light rail to Woden as part of a 50-50 funding partnership with the Commonwealth.
What They Said About the ACT Budget
Both parties are facing scrutiny regarding the cost of their promises and overall fiscal management.The Liberals submitted six policies for costing, but key pledges like the cap on residential rates and cuts to payroll tax—which would impact significant revenue sources—remain uncosted.
Barr dismissed these proposals as “magic pudding economics,” arguing they are based on an unsustainable financial model and could potentially create a billion-dollar revenue shortfall.
Barr also suggested that both the Liberals and Greens may have delayed policy submissions until it is too late for voters to assess them properly, or that they lack the competence to submit them in a timely manner.
As the election approaches, Barr’s criticisms highlight the stark differences in fiscal responsibility between the two parties.
Two Decades of Labor
Using Labor’s 23-year reign as a focal point for her criticisms, Lee has targeted the government’s track record, especially in the health sector.She argued that a “toxic work culture” had developed within ACT hospitals under Labor’s leadership.
In contrast, Barr defended the government’s achievements in health infrastructure, notably highlighting the recently upgraded critical services building at Canberra Hospital.
Health services have emerged as a significant battleground, with Lee attacking Labor’s management, while Barr cited the government’s investments in hospitals and pandemic management as evidence of their commitment.
Independent Challenger
In a notable twist, independent challenger Thomas Emerson has emerged as a candidate seeking to unseat Chief Minister Barr.Running under the new party Independents for Canberra, Emerson aims to build a stronger crossbench and offer voters an alternative to the long-standing Labor government.
Founded by Clare Carnell, the daughter of former ACT Chief Minister Kate Carnell, the party has sought candidates willing to challenge the status quo.
Voter Sentiment
Public sentiment reflects concerns over the rising cost of living.Local residents like Charles Powell was concerned about ongoing rate increases.
“I don’t think most Canberrans would be really excited about promises of new stadiums and convention centres,” he told The Epoch Times.
Powell added that many residents oppose the continuation of the tram project due to its escalating costs and extended timelines.
Small business owner David Russ from Garran said cost of living was a top priority for both state and federal governments.
“Inflation has to be addressed by both state and federal government,” he told The Epoch Times.
Voters expressed their desire for Canberra to avoid becoming the next Sydney or Melbourne, citing concerns over rapid population growth and excessive development.
Early Voting and Electoral Engagement
As the election date approaches, the ACT Electoral Commission has announced the commencement of early voting on Oct 8.Eleven early voting centres across the ACT have been made accessible to all electors.
ACT Electoral Commissioner Damian Cantwell highlighted the Commission’s commitment to making voting more accessible, citing recent legislative changes that allow all ACT electors to vote early over two weeks.
This extended voting window aims to accommodate voters’ schedules and encourage participation.
