Issues · Housing

The ACT's housing debt

Votes on whether to publicly criticise federal Labor MPs over the ACT's historic housing debt.

The ACT owes the Commonwealth about $66 million in old housing debt. These votes are about how strongly the Assembly should criticise federal Labor for not waiving it.

Each MLA

One square per vote, oldest first. A Aye, N No (not yet checked), no recorded vote.

• Andrew Barr · Kurrajong
  LaborANNAye 1, No 2
• Caitlin Tough · Brindabella
  LaborANNAye 1, No 2
• Chris Steel · Murrumbidgee
  LaborANNAye 1, No 2
• Marisa Paterson · Murrumbidgee
  LaborANNAye 1, No 2
• Michael Pettersson · Yerrabi
  LaborANNAye 1, No 2
• Rachel Stephen-Smith · Kurrajong
  LaborNo recorded vote on these
• Suzanne Orr · Yerrabi
  LaborANNAye 1, No 2
• Taimus Werner-Gibbings · Brindabella
  LaborANNAye 1, No 2
• Tara Cheyne · Ginninderra
  LaborNo recorded vote on these
• Yvette Berry · Ginninderra
  LaborANNAye 1, No 2
• Andrew Braddock · Yerrabi
  ACT GreensNAAAye 2, No 1
• Jo Clay · Ginninderra
  ACT GreensNAAAye 2, No 1
• Laura Nuttall · Brindabella
  ACT GreensNAAAye 2, No 1
• Rebecca Vassarotti · Kurrajong
  ACT GreensNo recorded vote on these
• Chiaka Barry · Ginninderra
  Canberra LiberalsNAAAye 2, No 1
• Deborah Morris · Brindabella
  Canberra LiberalsNo recorded vote on these
• Ed Cocks · Murrumbidgee
  Canberra LiberalsNAAAye 2, No 1
• Elizabeth Lee · Kurrajong
  Canberra LiberalsNo recorded vote on these
• James Milligan · Yerrabi
  Canberra LiberalsNAAAye 2, No 1
• Jeremy Hanson · Murrumbidgee
  Canberra LiberalsNAAAye 2, No 1
• Leanne Castley · Yerrabi
  Canberra LiberalsNAAAye 2, No 1
• Mark Parton · Brindabella
  Canberra LiberalsNAAAye 2, No 1
• Peter Cain · Ginninderra
  Canberra LiberalsNAAAye 2, No 1
• Fiona Carrick · Murrumbidgee
  IndependentNo recorded vote on these
• Thomas Emerson · Kurrajong
  IndependentNAAAye 2, No 1

The votes

1. 1. 25 March 2026 · Public housing—debt to commonwealthAmendment. A vote on changing the wording of a motion or bill. Voting against a change can mean "not like this", not opposition to the idea.Review in progress

   The housing minister's change to a Liberal motion on the ACT's housing debt. It would have replaced condemning Senator Gallagher with simply asking the Commonwealth to waive the debt. It was voted down. (our summary; the question as recorded is below)

   Question as recorded: That Ms Berry’s amendment No 2 be agreed to. Question resolved in the negative.

   Voting No would count as for this issue (review in progress). It would have removed the criticism of federal Labor.

   Ayes 8, Noes 12. Who voted each way · Official record, p. 1231 ·

2. 2. 25 March 2026 · Public housing—debt to commonwealthAmendment. A vote on changing the wording of a motion or bill. Voting against a change can mean "not like this", not opposition to the idea.Review in progress

   A Greens change widening the criticism to the ACT's Labor members in the federal House of Representatives. It passed. (our summary; the question as recorded is below)

   Question as recorded: That Mr Rattenbury’s amendment No 1 be agreed to. Question resolved in the affirmative.

   Voting Aye would count as for this issue (review in progress). It extended the criticism to more federal Labor MPs.

   Ayes 12, Noes 8. Who voted each way · Official record, p. 1238 ·

3. 3. 25 March 2026 · Public housing—debt to commonwealthFinal vote on a motion, as amended. The deciding vote on a motion after earlier votes changed its wording.Review in progress

   The final motion criticising federal Labor MPs for not waiving the ACT's housing debt. It passed. (our summary; the question as recorded is below)

   Question as recorded: That the motion, as amended, be agreed to. Question resolved in the affirmative.

   Voting Aye would count as for this issue (review in progress). A vote for the criticism.

   Ayes 12, Noes 8. Who voted each way · Official record, p. 1242 ·

Other Assembly decisions on housing

16 decisions on this topic since November 2024, newest first. Most were decided on the voices, without a recorded vote. Grouped into this topic by key words, so a few may belong elsewhere.

• 22 October 2026Public housing: Documents: Order to tableMoved by Rebecca Vassarotti and Thomas Emerson (co-sponsored) · Passed on the voices, no names recorded · 2 changes agreed first
• 23 September 2026Rental bonds: Improvement measuresMoved by Rebecca Vassarotti · Passed on the voices, no names recorded · 2 changes agreed first
• 17 September 2026Housing and consumer affairs legislation amendment bill 2026Moved by Tara Cheyne · Bill debated; its final outcome isn't captured here yet
• 16 September 2026Public housing occupancy: ImprovementMoved by Thomas Emerson · Passed on the voices, no names recorded · 2 changes agreed first
• 11 June 2026A motion to censure the Minister for Education and Early Childhood and Minister for Homes, Homelessness and New SuburbsMoved by Mark Parton and Jo Clay (co-sponsored) · Passed in a recorded vote, 12 to 10

See all 16 on the Decisions page →