2020-11-04
The Greens have today announced a plan for crossbench MLAs to give the community a strong voice in the Legislative Assembly. Andrew Braddock, Jo Clay and Johnathan Davis will play an active role as a conduit for their constituents, listening to their stories and concerns, and bringing those issues to the parliament.
Over the past 25 years, the Greens’ crossbench has played a crucial role listening to the community, working directly with stakeholders to improve legislation, and holding the Government to account. The Greens crossbench will continue to:
- Scrutinise and examine existing legislation and identify gaps or issues
- Seek briefings and ask questions of Government on the substantive issues facing our community
- Approach the assembly with motions and draft legislation
- Engage both sides of the aisle on key issues, to get the best outcomes for our community
- Monitor key issues to ensure that work is progressing over time.
Some key achievements of Greens crossbenchers include:
- Being the first political party to put light rail on the agenda, back in 1995
- Legislating world-leading climate action targets in 2010, and achieving a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions on 1990 levels by 2020, consistent with the Paris Agreement
- Being the first Australian state or territory jurisdiction to declare a climate emergency
- Committing the Government to raising the age of criminal responsibility (legislation that ACT Attorney-General Shane Rattenbury will now progress)
- Delivering an independent ACT Integrity Commission
- Ensuring exclusion zones for protests around abortion clinics
- Substantive reforms to Canberra’s planning system
- Improving animal welfare by banning caged chicken farming, puppy farms and greyhound racing
- Contributing to reconciliation with First Nations people, with an introduction to each sitting day delivered in Ngunnawal language.
The Greens new crossbench - key portfolios
Andrew Braddock MLA will be the ACT Greens party whip, as well as spokesperson for:
- Better Neighbourhoods
- Democracy, Integrity and Community Engagement
- Multicultural Affairs
- Corrections
- Police and Emergency Services
- Workplace Safety and Industrial Relations.
Jo Clay MLA will be ACT Greens spokesperson for:
- Transport including Active Travel and Road Safety
- Parks and Conservation
- Animal Welfare
- Arts and Culture
- Circular Economy: Waste, Recycling, Food Security and the Share Economy
- Women.
Johnathan Davis will be ACT Greens Spokesperson for:
- Education
- Health
- Drug Harm Minimisation
- Business and Night-time economy
- LGBTIQA+ Affairs
- Sport and Recreation
- Tourism and Events
- Youth.
Comments attributable to Andrew Braddock MLA, ACT Greens Member for Yerrabi:
“The message that came across loud and clear during the election campaign is people care about their local neighbourhoods. They want more trees, and improved footpaths, green space, and local infrastructure. They want a greater say in how to improve the places where they live. My goal for the next four years is to ensure that their voices are not forgotten. I look forward to working with the community to create better neighbourhoods.”
Comments attributable to Jo Clay MLA, ACT Greens Member for Ginninderra:
“I am delighted to take portfolio responsibility for the arts, animal welfare, the circular and share economy, parks and conservation, transport and women. There is huge opportunity here to help Canberrans access better services and build easier, more sustainable lifestyles while looking after the planet. I will bring my experience as a practising artist, recycling professional, climate environmentalist and active transport advocate to ensure we deliver better outcomes for our community. I will do my very best to represent the people of Belconnen in my new role as a Member of the Legislative Assembly.”
Comments attributable to Johnathan Davidson MLA, Member for Brindabella:
“I am thrilled to be taking on the role of Greens’ Spokesperson for Education, Health, Drug Harm Minimisation, Business and Night-time economy, LGBTIQA+ Affairs, Sport and Recreation, Tourism and Events, and Youth.
“I came to this place to serve the people of Tuggeranong, and the people of Canberra, and I’m delighted to be able to bring their voices into this place - to ensure that decisions are made with the community, as well as for the community, over the next four years.”
Statement ends
Media contact
Lisa Wills M 0481 035 764 E lisa.wills@act.gov.au