The last fortnight has seen some significant activity in the ACT, with the new leader of the opposition elected and disruptions to schools across the territory. We have all had to apply our vision for flexible workplaces very practically over this time.
I was disturbed by the decision of the Federal Liberal Party to abandon the net zero policy while world leaders are deciding on urgent climate action at COP30 in Brazil. My opinion piece in the Canberra Times last Tuesday highlighted our Canberra community’s support for rapid transition to renewables and our high expectations of our government and leaders in this space.
I was pleased, then, to see Mark Parton MLA come out in support of net zero after his initial question mark about what the ACT Liberals might do. I am pleased that he has put the views of his constituents ahead of the federal party’s internal conflicts.
Mr Parton now has the chance to hold the ACT Government to account for its failure to meet 2025 emissions targets.
A strong opposition is needed for a strong democracy, and ACTCOSS expects to be able to play a role in holding all political parties and leaders to account, to ensure they understand and meet the needs of our local community. ACTCOSS is a non-partisan and independent organisation, but we work in a political context, in sometimes highly politicised or contentious areas. I welcome the willingness of all parties in the ACT to consider ACTCOSS’s evidence and analysis on such issues.
Over the past weeks we have also been preparing for our Annual General Meeting. It’s important that I, as the CEO, and ACTCOSS as a whole are clearly accountable to our board and our members.
We will be publishing our 2024-25 Annual Report later this week, and members will be able to attend the AGM on Friday 28 November. Details are below.
Prior to the AGM, we are holding a Special General Meeting to vote on a change to the ACTCOSS constitution. We propose that one board member should be directly appointed by the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body. ACTCOSS supports the self-determination of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and this will enshrine this value in our governance into the future.
We are committed to taking action that directly supports self-determination, and to taking guidance from community-controlled organisations as we move through some challenging times.
I look forward to seeing members at the AGM. | 
