ACT Legislative Assembly expansion under committee inquiry

A new committee inquiry is examining the model of political representation in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The investigation follows a review by the Latimer House Principles, which recommended increasing the number of members in the Legislative Assembly from 25 to 35.

The report suggested that the current number of Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) may be insufficient, posing a risk to the Territory’s achievements. While acknowledging fiscal concerns, the reviewers proposed increasing the number of MLAs as a more cost-effective parliamentary solution than establishing local councils.

The inquiry will explore several facets of representation, including the number of ministers required to run the Territory, the potential creation of an Upper House, the establishment of local councils, and the infrastructure impacts of expanding the Assembly. Elizabeth Lee, chair of the Standing Committee on the Integrity Commission and Statutory Office Holders, noted that the ACT is unique because its Legislative Assembly has performed both state and local government functions since self-government began in 1989.