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ACT Treasurer Andrew Barr Delivers 2014-15 Budget

Jun 03, 2014

The Australian Capital Territory Treasurer, Andrew Barr, has delivered the government’s Budget for 2014-15.

BarrBarr told the Legislative Assembly that the Budget invested in Canberra’s future. He said: “There’s no doubt the Territory faces a big economic challenge because of the Commonwealth’s budget cuts.”

Barr said the Budget “provides a record amount of funding for health”. He said $2.5 billion over four years has been allocated for infrastructure projects. The Budget cuts stamp duty, payroll tax and insurance duty.

Barr said: “The Government aims to balance the Budget over the economic cycle. While acknowledging the budget is in deficit this year, the Government has taken a specific policy decision to support the economy and our community ahead of returning to balance sooner by imposing harsh austerity policies.”

Budget Downloads

All documents are in PDF format.

Budget Speech delivered by to the ACT Legislative Assembly by Treasurer Andrew Barr.

Investing in Canberra

Canberra is facing a significant economic challenge. [Read more…]

Filed Under: A.C.T., Budget Tagged With: , ,

High Court Invalidates ACT Same-Sex Marriage Law; Decision Unanimous

Dec 12, 2013

The High Court has thrown out the Australian Capital Territory’s same-sex marriage law.

In a strikingly definitive decision, the Justices voted 6-0 to invalidate the ACT’s Marriage Equality (Same Sex) Act 2013 (ACT). They said: “The whole of the ACT Act is of no effect.”

The court found that the whole of the ACT Act is inconsistent with the Commonwealth’s Marriage Act 1961 (Cth).

The court found that the Commonwealth has the power under Section 51(xxi) of the Constitution to define marriage. The Marriage Act (1961) was amended by the Howard government to define marriage as solely between a man and a woman. Today’s decision permits that definition to include same-sex couples.

Politically, the High Court’s decision upholds the Commonwealth’s power under Section 51. It denies states and territories the power to legislate for same-sex marriages but clears the way for the Commonwealth to do so. Whilst proponents of “marriage equality” may be disappointed with the decision, in fact it also removes a potential challenge to any future decision of the Commonwealth Parliament to legalise same-sex marriage. The next step lies in the hands of the government, the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Statement from the High Court of Australia.

THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA v THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY [2013] HCA 55

Today the High Court decided unanimously that the Marriage Equality (Same Sex) Act 2013, enacted by the Legislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory, cannot operate concurrently with the federal Marriage Act 1961. The Court held that the federal Parliament has power under the Australian Constitution to legislate with respect to same sex marriage, and that under the Constitution and federal law as it now stands, whether same sex marriage should be provided for by law is a matter for the federal Parliament. [Read more…]

Filed Under: A.C.T., High Court, Legislation Tagged With: , , ,

AEC Delays ACT Redistribution But Capital May Get Extra Seat

Dec 06, 2013

The Australian Electoral Commission has delayed a scheduled redistribution of electoral boundaries in the Australian Capital Territory but the nation’s capital may get an extra seat in time for the next election.

Redistributions must take place every seven years in each state and territory. They also occur when enrolments in more than one-third of all divisions, or one seat in the territories, deviate from the average by more than 10%. Redistributions also occur when the number of representatives to which a state or territory is entitled changes due to population increase or decline.

The last redistribution in the ACT took place in 2004. The AEC has deferred the next redistribution until the end of 2014 when the next determination of membership entitlement is due. It is expected that the determination will increase the ACT’s representation from two to three seats. [Read more…]

Filed Under: A.C.T., Redistributions Tagged With: , ,

Zed Seselja Topples Gary Humphries For ACT Liberal Senate Preselection

Feb 23, 2013

Senator Gary Humphries has lost preselection for the Liberal Party’s ACT Senate ticket to Zed Seselja.

SeseljaIn a preselection ballot today, Seselja defeated Humphries by 114 votes to 84.

Seselja’s win is a victory for the conservative wing of the Liberal Party. Humphries has always been regarded as a small-l Liberal.

Humphries, 54, has been an Australian Capital Territory Senator since 2003. Previously, he was Chief Minister of the ACT (2000-01). Elected to the ACT Legislative Assembly in 1989, he held various portfolios in Liberal governments, including Attorney-General (1995-2000) and Treasurer (1999-2001).

Seselja, 35, was elected to the ACT Legislative Assembly in 2004. He served as Leader of the Opposition from 2007 until earlier this month.

Territory senators serve concurrent terms with the House of Representatives. Assuming the September 14 election proceeds as announced, Seselja will enter the Senate at that time. New Senators elected from the states will not take their seats until July 1, 2014.


Filed Under: 2013 Federal Election, A.C.T., Liberal Party, Senate Tagged With: , , ,
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