Independents for Canberra: 2024 promises

What each party said it would do at the 2024 election, in its own words, with a link to where it said it.

Each promise was copied word for word from the party’s own website, as saved by the Internet Archive in 2024. A person still needs to check each one against its source, so most show “Not yet checked”. Whether a promise was kept is only marked when there is evidence for it.

Community support13

Require 5 noise complaints from different households before a formal process starts“The immediate implementation of a requirement for 5 noise complaints (all from different households) to be received before a formal process is considered.”Sara Poguet and Ben Johnston (Independents for Canberra, Kurrajong) · 18 October 2024 · Kurrajong · Source · As published in 2024
More funding for grassroots arts organisations“Increased funding for grassroots arts organisations.”Sara Poguet and Ben Johnston (Independents for Canberra, Kurrajong) · 18 October 2024 · Kurrajong · Source · As published in 2024
Work with the private sector on a Canberra Festival“Working with the private sector to deliver a Canberra Festival that creates new opportunities for local artists, and in ecotourism and adventure tourism.”18 October 2024 · Source · As published in 2024
Build a new multicultural centre fit for large events“Following through on constructing a new multicultural centre that's fit for purpose for large events and meets our multicultural community's expectations.”18 October 2024 · Source · As published in 2024
A Canberra Arts Trail with a marketing campaign“The establishment of a Canberra Arts Trail with a strategic and cohesive marketing campaign that aligned grassroots artistic events to Canberra's established events program.”Sara Poguet and Ben Johnston (Independents for Canberra, Kurrajong) · 18 October 2024 · Kurrajong · Source · As published in 2024
Expect any governing party to take no backward steps on climate action, voluntary assisted dying or abortion access“Taking no backward steps on climate action, voluntary-assisted dying or abortion access.”8 October 2024 · Source · As published in 2024
Expect any governing party to move forward on reconciliation and Closing the Gap“Moving forward on reconciliation with First Nations communities and taking real action to Close the Gap.”8 October 2024 · Source · As published in 2024
Legislate against coercive control, with training and community education“Independents for Canberra candidates are calling for improved legislation to protect against coercive control and other forms of abuse”5 September 2024 · Source · As published in 2024
Establish a peak body for community sport within six months of being elected“Independents for Canberra MLAs will act immediately by establishing a dedicated peak body for community sport within the first six months of being elected.”23 August 2024 · Timing: within six months of election · Source · As published in 2024
Audit sports facilities and fund a 10-year facilities plan with yearly updates“Undertaking a detailed facilities audit; preparing and funding a 10-year strategic plan”23 August 2024 · Source · As published in 2024
Introduce $200 Active Kids sport vouchers“Introducing a $200 Active Kids sport vouchers scheme”23 August 2024 · Source · As published in 2024
Fund full-time Chair and Deputy Chair roles for the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body, and two full-time roles at Advocacy for Inclusion“Independents for Canberra candidates also declared their support for funding full-time roles for the Chair and Deputy Chair of the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body”30 July 2024 · Source · As published in 2024
Close the community sector funding gap and tie future funding to population growth plus inflation“Independents for Canberra candidates are pledging to answer calls from the community sector to close the sector’s funding gap, and to ensure all future funding for community services is tied to population growth plus inflation.”30 July 2024 · Timing: condition for support of a governing party · Source · As published in 2024

Business and the economy6

Establish a Night-Time Economy Commissioner“Following the lead of NSW and QLD in establishing a Night-Time Economy Commissioner tasked with reinvigorating Canberra's nightlife”18 October 2024 · Source · As published in 2024
Reopen Telstra Tower with food, drink and an interactive educational experience“The reopening of Telstra Tower with a premium food and beverage offering alongside an immersive interactive educational experience.”Sara Poguet and Ben Johnston (Independents for Canberra, Kurrajong) · 18 October 2024 · Kurrajong · Source · As published in 2024
Cut liquor licence fees by 80%, free late-night public transport and fund a night-time festival“reducing liquor licence fees by 80%, providing free late night public transport and funding a nighttime festival to showcase what the Night Time Economy looks like in the new City Entertainment Precinct.”Sara Poguet and Ben Johnston (Independents for Canberra, Kurrajong) · 18 October 2024 · Kurrajong · Source · As published in 2024
Matched-funded Innovation Scaleup grants of $50,000 to $250,000 through the Canberra Innovation Network (candidates support)“Offering matched-funded Innovation Scaleup grants of $50,000 to $250,000, delivered through the Canberra Innovation Network”19 August 2024 · Source · As published in 2024
Cut payroll tax from 6.85% to match or beat the NSW rate of 5.45% (candidates support)“Reducing payroll tax from 6.85 per cent to match or beat the NSW rate of 5.45 per cent.”19 August 2024 · Source · As published in 2024
Tackle insurance costs, especially workers' compensation premiums (candidates support)“Tackling insurance costs, particularly workers’ compensation insurance where premiums charged in the ACT are the highest in the country”19 August 2024 · Source · As published in 2024

Schools and education4

A catch-up program for children who fell behind before the literacy and numeracy inquiry“Delivering a concurrent program to catch up the children who have fallen behind prior to the inquiry.”18 October 2024 · Source · As published in 2024
More funding for public school art facilities and an Artist in Residency program“Increased funding for public school art facilities and staffing combined with the introduction of an "Artist in Residency" program”Sara Poguet and Ben Johnston (Independents for Canberra, Kurrajong) · 18 October 2024 · Kurrajong · Source · As published in 2024
Make sure the government implements all recommendations of the literacy and numeracy inquiry in full within four years“Ensuring the government implements all the recommendations of the Inquiry into literacy and numeracy in ACT public schools in full within four years.”18 October 2024 · Timing: within four years · Source · As published in 2024
Expect any governing party to fund the Strong Foundations education reform for full implementation within four years“Funding the Strong Foundations education reform program sufficiently to ensure its full implementation within four years”8 October 2024 · Timing: within four years · Source · As published in 2024

Climate and environment2

Protect the Western Edge from development“Protecting the Western Edge from development, focusing instead on habitat preservation and biodiversity restoration opportunities to the west of our city's current footprint.”18 October 2024 · Source · As published in 2024
More ongoing funding for environment volunteer groups (SEE-Change, Conservation Council, Canberra Environment Centre)“Increasing ongoing funding, and providing greater long-term funding certainty, to unleash the environment and sustainability volunteer workforce supported by key local organisations SEE-Change, Conservation Council ACT Region and Canberra Environment Centre.”18 October 2024 · Source · As published in 2024

Health4

Clear 75% of the elective surgery waitlist within 12 months of being elected“Clearing 75 per cent of the elective surgery waitlist within 12 months of being elected, and ensuring thereafter that all categories of surgery are consistently performed within clinically recommended timeframes.”18 October 2024 · Timing: within 12 months of being elected · Source · As published in 2024
Up to twenty $40,000 grants a year for GP registrars to train and stay in the ACT“providing up to twenty $40,000 grants per year to incentivise GP registrars to train and remain in the ACT.”18 October 2024 · Source · As published in 2024
Above-average aged care assessment turnaround times“Delivering above-average aged care assessment turnaround times.”18 October 2024 · Source · As published in 2024
A long-term strategic vision for a nation-leading, fully integrated health system“Developing a long-term strategic vision for a nation-leading healthcare system that provides fully integrated care and makes Canberra the best place in the country for a career in health.”29 August 2024 · Source · As published in 2024

Housing5

Establish a Strata Commissioner“Establishing a Strata Commissioner to protect the interests of people in apartments and townhouses.”18 October 2024 · Source · As published in 2024
Social housing trigger outcomes to be reached by 2030“achieve the following outcomes by 2030:”18 October 2024 · Timing: 2030 · Source · As published in 2024
More dedicated housing for women and children escaping violence, especially in south Canberra; Safer Families Levy to go to frontline services“The group is also committing to increasing dedicated housing options for women and children escaping violence, particularly in south Canberra”5 September 2024 · Source · As published in 2024
If holding the balance of power, a social housing trigger: priority list wait of at most 30 days, high needs at most 90 days, ACT first for public housing condition“they are committing to creating a social housing trigger whereby Housing ACT is guaranteed funding sufficient to:”7 August 2024 · Timing: condition: balance of power · Source · As published in 2024
A child and youth homelessness action plan co-designed with the community sector“Independents for Canberra candidates are also committing to implementing a dedicated child and youth homelessness action plan, co-designed with the community sector”7 August 2024 · Source · As published in 2024

Integrity and how government works11

Regular public status updates on their commitments“Sharing regular status updates on our commitments through our mailing list and on our website.”18 October 2024 · Source · As published in 2024
Quarterly community forums“Hosting quarterly community forums.”18 October 2024 · Source · As published in 2024
Introduce a Future Generations Act and a Future Generations Commissioner“Introducing a Future Generations Act that requires the development of a community-led vision for the Canberra we want to create for generations to come, and establishes a Future Generations Commissioner tasked with ensuring government decisions align with that vision.”18 October 2024 · Source · As published in 2024
Two mobile offices a month per elected MLA“Two mobile offices per month hosted by each successful MLA.”18 October 2024 · Source · As published in 2024
Require a snap audit of agreed government report recommendations still awaiting implementation“Requiring a snap audit of all outstanding report recommendations agreed by the ACT Government that are awaiting implementation.”18 October 2024 · Source · As published in 2024
Publish a voting record explaining each vote“Publishing a voting record with an explanation of each vote on our website.”18 October 2024 · Source · As published in 2024
Sit on the crossbench rather than join a coalition government“Independents for Canberra candidates intend to sit on the crossbench rather than forming part of a coalition government.”8 October 2024 · Source · As published in 2024
Introduce a Future Generations Act, making the ACT the first jurisdiction in Australia to have one“Independents for Canberra is today declaring its commitment to making the ACT the first jurisdiction in Australia to introduce a Future Generations Act”18 September 2024 · Source · As published in 2024
Ban political donations from the gambling industry, by adding it to the prohibited donors in the Electoral Act“Independents for Canberra candidates support expanding the declaration of prohibited political donors in the ACT Electoral Act”7 September 2024 · Source · As published in 2024
Call for an independent inquiry into the ACT criminal justice system“Independents for Canberra candidates are calling for an independent inquiry in the ACT’s criminal justice system”4 September 2024 · Source · As published in 2024
If holding the balance of power, seek to stop one person being Chief Minister and Treasurer at once“they will seek to prevent the same person from being both Chief Minister and Treasurer concurrently.”14 August 2024 · Timing: condition: balance of power · Source · As published in 2024

Planning and building2

Upzone RZ1 blocks to RZ2 to allow more duplexes, townhouses and terraces“Making it easier to build more duplexes, townhouses, and terraces by upzoning RZ1 blocks to RZ2 while addressing cost barriers, keeping our suburbs green and leafy, and enhancing the urban tree canopy.”18 October 2024 · Source · As published in 2024
A 'one percent for art' rule for developments“One percent of the total budget of a development must be spent on the incorporation of local artists into the project.”Sara Poguet and Ben Johnston (Independents for Canberra, Kurrajong) · 18 October 2024 · Kurrajong · Source · As published in 2024