Review of the Performance of the Three Branches of Government in the Australian Capital Territory against Latimer House Principles

This is a period of major change and development in the Australian Capital Territory and of greater complexities in and demands on the system of government. It is timely therefore that this quadrennial review of the application of Latimer House Principles should be undertaken because it allows consideration of core questions about accountabilities and relationships within and among the three branches of the ACT government as well as other matters regarding the quality of governance.

The Australian Capital Territory governance system derives from a unique combination of features, at least in Australian terms. It is a fusion of two levels of government and is therefore responsible for an extensive range of functions. The ACT has been something of a developmental site with the parameters for action evolving in its 30 years as an independent but comparatively small jurisdiction. It is a mixture of governing models producing a hybrid approach to Westminster. It is also a capital territory that lacks the standing of the Australian states. There has been a decade of significant development with regard to the individual branches and their relationships.