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1. What was proposed (co-sponsored)Andrew BraddockGreens · CrossbenchJo ClayGreens · Crossbench
   Read the original wording (490 words)

   That this Assembly: (1) notes that: (a) in the wake of the fuel supply shock caused by the USA’s illegal war in Iran, Canberrans are looking to the Government for expanded investment in public transport services; (b) Infrastructure Australia identifies “Canberra public transport improvements” on its infrastructure priority list, recognising that “without expansion of high capacity public transport along key corridors, increasing congestion will constrain productivity, limit access to jobs and services, and increase greenhouse gas emissions”; (c) Infrastructure Australia’s listing includes an image depicting an approximation of the Light Rail Masterplan, lists investment timing as sitting within the two-to-four year pipeline and indicates that the next steps are for the proponent (the ACT Government) to develop potential investment options; (d) the original vision for light rail in the ACT was to: (i) deliver a new stage of the network every five years; (ii) operate on a continuous-build model to attract and retain a workforce capable of delivering the masterplan in an effective and efficient way; and (iii) anchor development opportunities within the existing urban footprint of the Territory using the promise of reliable and permanent mass transit systems along key corridors; and (e) Light Rail Stage 1 from Civic to Gungahlin has been highly successful and popular and Stage 2A from Civic to Commonwealth Park promises to extend its utility; (2) further notes that: (a) progress on planning Stage 2B from Commonwealth Park to the Woden Valley has been challenging, for reasons including: (i) the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic; (ii) additional approval requirements associated with development on National Land; and (iii) National Capital Authority works on Commonwealth Avenue Bridge; and (b) even after accounting for these delays, Canberrans have been frustrated by the slow pace of progress; (3) calls on the Government to: (a) progress work on planning for Light Rail Stage 2B so as to ensure the submission of a Works Approval Application to the National Capital Authority before the end of the 2027 calendar year; (b) include the Mawson extension in the plans for Stage 2B in the interests of fully servicing the Woden Valley and avoiding additional disruption to the Woden Town Centre during future works to construct Stage 4 to Lanyon; (c) commence feasibility study work for Stage 3, representing the route from Brindabella Business Park to Kippax; (d) commence funding for construction of the promised Belconnen Transitway in 2026-2027; (e) plan for a simultaneous expansion of the ACT’s fleet of electric buses, to grow the public transport network around the developing light rail routes; (f) apply to the Commonwealth for funding on all future steps in the development of public transport in the ACT; and (g) report back to the Assembly on progress against these objectives by the first sitting day in December of both 2026 and 2027; and (4) further calls on Members to sign House of Representatives e-petition No EN9851 on Support for Light Rail in Canberra.

2. Proposed changeChris SteelLabor · Minister26 May 2026

   Proposed replacing two of the motion's calls on the Government. Our summary, review in progress

   Before

   (d) commence funding for construction of the promised Belconnen Transitway in 2026-2027

   After this change

   (c) commence detailed design for the Belconnen Transitway in 2026-2027;

   The exact wording of this change

   together: 1. Omit paragraphs (3)(a) and (3)(b), substitute: “(a) continue to progress planning approvals for Light Rail Stage 2B in line with Light Rail Stage 2—Update tabled by the Minister for Planning on 4 September 2025; (b) assess the extension of light rail to Mawson as part of the Stage 2B business case;”. 2. Omit paragraph (3)(c). 3. Omit paragraph (3)(d), substitute: “(c) commence detailed design for the Belconnen Transitway in 2026-2027;”. Debate continued. Paper: Mr Braddock, by leave, presented the following paper: Commonwealth approval processes—Copy of a chart, National Capital Authority, Submission 22, undated.

   Not agreed on the voices. No individual votes were recorded.

3. Proposed changeFiona CarrickIndependent · Crossbench26 May 2026

   Grouped by key words as: added a new call or point.

   The exact wording of this change

   After all text in paragraph (3)(g), insert: “(h) plan dedicated bus lanes along the Cotter Road and between Woden and the City, including on Commonwealth Avenue once bridge strengthening is complete, and in the short-term work with the National Capital Authority to extend the northbound bus lane from Albert Hall to Coronation Drive; and”. Debate continued. Ms Carrick, who had already spoken, by leave, again addressed the Assembly.

   Not agreed on the voices. No individual votes were recorded.

4. What the Assembly decidedNot agreed

   Recorded vote on the final question

   Ayes 3

   • Andrew Braddock, Jo Clay, Laura Nuttall

   Noes 20

   • Andrew Barr, Suzanne Orr, Yvette Berry, Marisa Paterson, Michael Pettersson, Chris Steel, Tara Cheyne, Rachel Stephen-Smith, Caitlin Tough, Taimus Werner-Gibbings
   • James Milligan, Chiaka Barry, Mark Parton, Peter Cain, Leanne Castley, Ed Cocks, Jeremy Hanson, Elizabeth Lee
   • Fiona Carrick, Thomas Emerson