On the first day of the official election period in the ACT, the Greens say leadership matters, and the other parties will not lead the ACT out of the real problems we all face.
"Canberrans are despairing over the housing, climate and cost of living crises and they know the system is stacked against them," said ACT Greens Leader Shane Rattenbury.
"Across Australia, we can all see Labor and the Liberals standing by while vested interests like the banks, big supermarkets, developers and gambling industries profit from community pain.
"Canberra is the most progressive jurisdiction in the country but our community is still hurting like everyone else. Nothing will change if every election is a contest between the two old parties that created this mess.
"The Greens are a real alternative for people in Canberra. We have more experience in government than the Liberals and more courage and ambition than Labor.
"We don't have vested interests holding us back - we're a people-powered movement with a clear vision for the ACT.
"Labor has spent this campaign announcing their plans to stick with business as usual, and that's not going to cut it. We need to fundamentally change the way we provide housing in the ACT and the Greens are the only party prepared to do it.
"The scale of change we need won't happen overnight, but the first step is voting for someone who will fight for you.
"The Greens have long been the change-makers in the ACT, pushing Labor further, faster, to be fairer than they ever would have done on their own. It's the reason the ACT has 100% renewable electricity and a plan to turn off the fossil fuel gas taps, while Federal Labor is up on the hill approving 23 new coal and gas projects.
"But the Greens aren't just here to coax Labor to do the right thing. We're here to change the system and improve people's everyday lives. We hear Canberrans when they say the government needs fresh energy and fresh ideas.
"Progressive voters looking for change could elect a Greens-led government in the ACT, blowing open political possibilities in Canberra and around Australia.
"Just two more seats would see the Greens on par with the Liberals and Labor, at which point, anything is possible.
"We have the experience and we are ready to lead a fresh, new, progressive government in the ACT. It's absolutely possible, if you vote for it."
The ACT Greens have already announced detailed and ambitious plans to:
- Build and buy 10,000 public homes over the next 10 years to clear the public housing waiting list within the next term, and house many more Canberrans who are struggling to pay market rents.
- Restore the availability of bulk-billing GPs in Canberra by opening four government-run GP clinics that will supply doctors with all the support they need to focus on seeing patients, delivering 160,000 free appointments each year.
- Make public transport in Canberra a true 'turn up and go' service that you don't need to plan your day around, with every weekday bus running every 20 minutes or less, and every weekend bus every 30 minutes.
- Reclaim the convenience of Canberra with new planning rules to protect nature and build quality homes close to transport, schools, jobs and the everyday services you need.
- Deliver real climate leadership with a faster and fairer transition to net-zero that supports every Canberran, no matter their income, to share in the health, comfort and cost benefits of getting rid of fossil fuel gas.
- Empower parents and give kids the best start in life with 18 hours free preschool per week for 3- and 4-year-olds, and support for educators who provide this essential service.
In the final five weeks before polling day the Greens will be announcing further plans for renters, climate action and making Canberra a more liveable city for all.
The Greens currently represent Canberrans in 6 seats, to the Liberals' 9 and Labor's 10.
The Greens have held the balance of power in the ACT for the past 16 years, achieving outcomes for Canberrans from the crossbench and from inside government.
Power-sharing agreements have been made term-to-term, under the guidance of party members. The Greens will maximise whatever opportunities voters give them next term to keep delivering for the Canberra community.
