I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and I pay my respect to their elders past, present and emerging.
True believers, one and all.
I'm honoured to be with you today to support a good friend and a great leader.
Andrew Barr is a man of vision and values.
A true champion for the ACT on the national stage.
And a trusted partner in national progress.
I've known and worked with Andrew for nearly twenty years now.
And I can tell you as someone who sits around the National Cabinet table with him, he has never been more energised and he's never been more determined to deliver for the people of the ACT than he is today.
Everyone who knows Andrew, knows he loves campaigning.
He draws energy from talking to people and advancing ideas.
But for all of this, he loves governing more.
Because government is where you get things done.
Government is where you can turn policies and promises into progress for people.
That's why this election is so important.
That's why the ACT needs to stick with a strong Labor Government.
I've been coming to Canberra for work for nearly thirty years.
I've always liked my home away from home, now I love it.
Because Andrew Barr and his team have brought new energy and vitality to Canberra, while preserving the best of the old.
And I'm proud of the work our Labor Governments have done together to secure the future of the national institutions that call Canberra home.
Including the National Library, the National Archives, the National Museum, the National Portrait Gallery.
And of course, the National Gallery of Australia.
It was a Labor Government that gave the National Gallery Blue Poles.
And a Liberal Government that left the National Gallery with holes in the roof and buckets on the floor.
We're helping to fix that.
And at the same time, we are making generational investments in the Australian Institute of Sport, to train our future Olympians and Paralympians.
Because we know the road to gold in LA and Brisbane, starts here in Canberra.
And our Government is proud to be investing in another vital national institution that calls Canberra home - the Australian Public Service.
Let's be clear about this.
When the Liberals talk about 'savings' or 'efficiencies' they mean sacking public servants and outsourcing services.
We know the cost of this approach.
The toll it takes on jobs and families in Canberra - and on lives in our nation.
Because ripping the humans out of human services is what gave Australia Robodebt.
Relying on labour hire and short-term contracts created the shameful situation in Veterans Affairs.
Where, when we came to Government, there was a backlog of 42,000 compensation claims.
We cleared that backlog.
And we did it by funding 640 full time staff.
500 in our first Budget. Another 140 in May.
The Liberals talk about the cost of the public service - we understand its value.
And we always will.
Friends, this is only the first Saturday of the campaign but Andrew Barr and his team are already releasing major policies as part of their comprehensive plan for the next four years.
It's an agenda true to the oldest Labor ideals - fairness, progress, opportunity for all.
And it's a program focused on creating new opportunities - jobs, skills, education, housing and health.
By contrast, the Liberal campaign boils down to them complaining that they're sick of being in Opposition and they want a turn in Government.
That tells you so much about the different ways we look at the world.
The Liberals think Government is something they deserve.
We know Government is a privilege you have to earn - and it's a responsibility you have to meet.
And in the Labor Party, we don't seek Government to occupy the space.
We understand you don't measure a Government in months and years.
You measure a Government by the positive difference it makes to people's lives.
That's the proud record of change and progress and transformation you can point to here in the ACT.
And that's the policy platform Andrew Barr is taking to this election.
Because Labor Governments look to the future - and they build for it.
You've built a new public hospital for the south - and you're building one for the north.
Together, we are building the public transport that connects north and south and brings people together in the centre.
And together, we are building more homes.
Today I announce that in partnership with the ACT Labor Government, our Federal Labor Government will invest a further $25 million to help build 500 new homes in Coombs and Wright.
We will also deliver a new community centre and upgrades to local streets, parks and green space.
So that these new homes are supported by the infrastructure that brings people together.
And this new funding will also cover urgent repairs to 75 public housing properties that are currently unliveable.
This can be as simple as fixing up the plumbing, or dealing with a hole in the roof - it is also the fastest way to help locals find a safe place to live
And friends, through our new National Capital Investment Framework our Labor Governments are working together on the infrastructure that will shape Canberra's future as a great place for Canberrans to live - and for all Australians to visit.
In that spirit, today I am proud to announce we will work together with the ACT Labor Government on the next steps to build a new pool and aquatic centre in Commonwealth Park.
A brand new city pool for Canberrans.
And, just as importantly, freeing-up the current Civic Pool site to build a new National Convention and Entertainment Centre, worthy of our national capital.
This is what we can achieve when Labor Governments work together.
This is the bright future for Canberra with Andrew Barr as Chief Minister.
And between now and the 19th of October - this is in your hands.
This election will be decided by the conversations you have, the phone calls you make, the doors you knock on, the people you reach, the minds you change.
Your efforts, your passion, your energy and your advocacy can make the difference.
You can ensure that the people of ACT can count on a Chief Minister who cares about their jobs, families, communities and future.
Please welcome my friend and your leader - Andrew Barr.
