ACT Legislative Assembly Debates Budget Review in First Sitting Week of 2026

Legislative Assembly Convenes for Mid-Week Budget Discussions

The ACT Legislative Assembly is currently in the midst of its first sitting week for 2026. Today, Wednesday, 4 February, marks a pivotal day for the Territory’s political landscape as the Legislative Assembly continues its three-day session. The primary focus for today’s proceedings centers on the formal release and debate of the mid-year Budget Review, a document that will set the tone for the Territory's fiscal priorities heading into the remainder of the year.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr’s Labor government is expected to present a refreshed financial outlook. Reports leading into today's session indicate that the government will tout an improved fiscal position, largely attributed to a new hospital funding deal reached with the Commonwealth. This agreement is expected to provide significant capital for the Canberra health system, which has been a point of contention between the major parties for several months.

Key Agenda Items for Wednesday's Session

According to the Assembly's schedule and recent government briefings, today’s session includes the following critical items:

• Tabling of the Budget Review: The formal presentation of the Territory's financial performance and revised forecasts.
• Hospital Funding Debate: Ministerial statements regarding the implementation of the new federal-territory health infrastructure agreement.
• Question Time: Intense scrutiny is expected from the Opposition regarding the Territory's debt levels and the cost-of-living measures currently in place.
• Private Members' Business: Motions focused on local community services and urban infrastructure maintenance.

Political Tensions and Coalition Stability

The atmosphere in the chamber today is heightened by recent political developments within the crossbench and the Opposition. There has been significant discussion regarding the stability of the long-standing Labor-Greens coalition. Greens Leader Shane Rattenbury has signaled that his party remains concerned about the government’s commitment to their power-sharing agreement, particularly in areas of housing and climate transition. Meanwhile, the Canberra Liberals, led by Leanne Castley, have positioned themselves to interrogate the government on what they describe as a lack of transparency in previous budget cycles.

The outcome of today’s debates and the reception of the Budget Review will likely influence the legislative agenda for the remainder of the month. Proceedings are available for public viewing via the Legislative Assembly's digital streaming services, with sessions scheduled to continue until the conclusion of the sitting week tomorrow.