Australian Capital Territory July to December 2017

The last six months of 2017 saw a continuation of many of the political arguments that have existed throughout Andrew Barr’s three years as Chief Minister. The Liberal Opposition, led by Alister Coe, continued its assault on what it argued was a corrupt Labor-Green government, while the government attempted to reverse this perception by continuing its post-2016 election strategy of enhanced citizen engagement. The smalltown politics of development and transport infrastructure squabbles remained the major threat to Barr and his Government, while their major advantage, the enduring social progressive attitudes of voters, saw the government actively campaign for the Yes vote on the national Marriage Equality Survey, and saw the Australian Capital Territory legislate to become the first jurisdiction in Australia to ban greyhound racing. The Legislative Assembly also voted to increase restrictions on dangerous dogs only weeks after long-time MLA, and the Assembly’s most vocal advocate for reform in this area, Steve Doszpot, died of cancer.