ACT Legislative Assembly Convenes as Climate Strategy and Public Infrastructure Top Today's Agenda

ACT Legislative Assembly Enters Second Day of March Sitting Week

The Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly continues its third sitting week of 2026 today, Wednesday, 18 March. Following the commencement of the session yesterday, the Assembly has transitioned into the business outlined in Notice Paper No. 50. This official document serves as the roadmap for today’s legislative activities, featuring a mix of private members' business, executive business, and the introduction of new petitions and reports.

While specific voting outcomes are typically determined by the conclusion of the afternoon session, the Assembly's focus today is expected to remain on fiscal management and social service delivery. This follows recent high-level meetings between Chief Minister Andrew Barr and representatives from the social services sector, where discussions emphasized the need for sustainable funding and cost-of-living relief for the territory's most vulnerable residents.

Community Consultation on Future Climate Strategy

Outside the Assembly chamber, a significant political and community event is scheduled for this evening. The Inner South Canberra Community Council (ISCCC) is hosting a public forum titled 'Developing the next ACT Climate Change Strategy.' The session, held at the Eastlake Football Club in Griffith from 7:00 pm, is a critical component of the government's broader engagement strategy. Political representatives and community leaders will gather to discuss the evolution of the ACT’s environmental policies and the practical steps required to meet future sustainability targets.

National Climate Risk Conference Opens in the Capital

Parallel to local community discussions, Canberra is also the host site for the 2026 Public Sector Climate-Related Risk and Disclosure Conference, which begins today. This two-day event brings together public sector leaders and policy experts from across the Commonwealth and state governments. The conference focuses on the integration of climate risk management into government operations, reflecting the Australian Government’s commitment to achieving net-zero operations by 2030. Agenda items for today include updates from the Department of Finance regarding new disclosure requirements and case studies on public sector resilience.

Government Operational Alert: Sportsground Maintenance

In addition to legislative and strategic sessions, the ACT Government has announced a significant operational shift taking effect today. Most government-managed turf sportsgrounds across the territory will close for a two-week period starting Wednesday, 18 March. This maintenance window is essential for winter sports preparation, including the installation of goalposts and the seeding of several key ovals in Belconnen, Gungahlin, and Tuggeranong. City Services crews are scheduled to begin these works immediately to ensure facilities are ready for the upcoming seasonal transition.