ACT Legislative Assembly

This morning the Assembly thanked our Clerk, Tom Duncan, on his final sitting day after 35 years of service 💼🏛

Tom joined in 1990, just a year after self‑government, became Clerk in 2003, and has spent over two decades supporting our parliament with integrity. He’s supported all 97 MLAs, 👥 strengthened independent parliamentary support in the ACT, 💪 and helped build democratic accountability both here and abroad 🌏

Dhjan yimaba Tom, and thank you!

Act 2 of Week recommences at 5pm today, when Opposition Leader Mark Parton delivers the budget reply speech 💬

Before then, there are ministerial statements 💬, two new bills 📘, and motions on youth crime in retail precincts 🚨 (Mark Parton) and library opening hours 🕓 (Peter Cain)

🔗 What's on: http://bit.ly/2Wa59tF
▶️ Watch: https://bit.ly/3QHy81F

As is convention, debate on the is paused for today to allow MLAs to read the papers fully before the Budget Reply speeches tomorrow evening 🔎📈💸

Instead, MLAs will consider three bills 📘 and motions on sportsground management ⚽ (James Milligan) and Molonglo playing fields 🥅 (Fiona Carrick)

🔗 What's on: http://bit.ly/2Wa59tF
▶️ Watch: https://bit.ly/3QHy81F

This morning, Rebecca Vassarotti was sworn in as a member for Kurrajong by Chief Justice Lucy McCallum.

Ms Vassarotti was a previously an MLA in the Tenth Assembly but was not returned at the 2024 election. She was re-elected on countback on 4 June 2026 to fill the vacancy created by Shane Rattenbury' s resignation.

You can find contact details for Ms Vassarotti's office, plus an updated seating plan, on our website:
🔗 parliament.act.gov.au/members/current

It's in the Assembly this week! 💸📝

At 10am, the Chief Justice will swear in Rebecca Vassarotti as the new member for Kurrajong, elected by countback on 4 June ✋💬

At 5pm, Treasurer Chris Steel will hand down the 2026-27 budget - the ACT Government's proposed revenue and spending plans for the next fiscal year

🔗 What's on: http://bit.ly/2Wa59tF
▶️ Watch: https://bit.ly/3QHy81F

Today is , a public holiday celebrating King Charles III (even though his real birthday is in November).

Even though our coat of arms has lots of royal symbols, the ACT government doesn’t have a royal representative like a governor or administrator.

The Governor-General does live in Canberra, but they’re not part of the ACT government. The only exception is a single power in the Self-Government Act that lets them dismiss the Assembly in extreme situations.

🔗 About our Westminster system: https://bit.ly/45mPqLM

Treasurer Chris Steel appears before the fiscal sustainability committee today at 4pm as part of its ongoing inquiry into the ACT's finances.

▶️ Watch: broadcast.act.gov.au

This first Monday after May 27 each year is , a public holiday to recommit to reconciliation efforts with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples ⚫🟡🔴

It is unique to the ACT, created by the Assembly in 2017 to align with the week of two major reconciliation milestones: the success of the 1967 referendum 🗳 and the 1992 Mabo case decision ⚖️

🔗 Learn more: https://bit.ly/4kmntYe

The last day of the sitting week wraps up with a petition, ministerial statements💬 and the presentation of a new bill.📜

Following question time at 2pm⏰, members will consider motions on the light rail🚊 (Mark Parton MLA) and funding for public schools.🏫 (Jo Clay MLA)

🔗 What's on: http://bit.ly/2Wa59tF
▶️ Watch: https://bit.ly/3QHy81F

The Assembly is back today with more petitions, ministerial statements, committee business and resumption of debate on a bill.

Following question time members will consider a motion on whistleblower support 📢(Thomas Emerson) and on occupational violence in the health sector⚕️ (Mark Parton MLA).

Follow along using the links below👇
🔗 What's on: http://bit.ly/2Wa59tF
▶️ Watch: https://bit.ly/3QHy81F