ACT election: Labor-Greens deal unique to territory

As he vies for re-election today, ACT Chief Minister has a warning for Labor figures wanting to replicate his success federally.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr at a light rail terminal. Picture: Sean Davey

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr warns it will be difficult for Labor to replicate his own alliance with the Greens nationally, as he vies to extend the left’s nearly 20-year-rule over Canberra at Saturday’s territory election.

A Labor-Greens government is the most likely outcome of the election — in which nearly 60 per cent of Canberrans have voted ­before polling day — due to the national capital’s left-leaning demographics and Mr Barr’s successful record on the coronavirus.

Speaking to The Weekend Australian before voting ends, Mr Barr warned Labor Left figures around the country who want a closer alliance with the Greens that Canberra may be an exception to the rule.

Alistair Coe, wife Yasmin and kids Angus, 6, and Annabel, 4. Picture: Sean Davey

“It’s an urbanised electorate. If it’s going to work anywhere, it’s going to be Canberra,” he said.

“I accept we face very different circumstances than other Labor divisions, and nationally. We have also only ever had one majority government in the ACT since it has had a parliament of its own.

“I’m lucky that the ACT Greens are more moderate than other Greens,” he added.

Mr Barr’s words will likely resonate with Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who has promised no deals with the Greens despite the minor left-wing party vying to take seats off ALP stalwarts, including former state treasurer Jackie Trad, and gain the balance of power at the October 31 election.

Leading federal Labor figures including former treasurer Chris Bowen have warned the party would be punished nationally if it ever ­attempted a Labor-Green ­alliance again, like it did in the 2011 hung parliament.

Mr Barr also has a warning for state and territory leaders who want to pursue tax reform — they will be hit for it again and again in elections.

Sky-high rates for Canberra homeowners has been the dominant topic of the campaign, which Mr Barr has put down to his moves to rein in stamp duty, insurance taxes and payroll tax.

“There’s a reason no other state or territory is undergoing this kind of reform. It’s politically very tough, and this is the third campaign on it,” he said.

“One stream of revenue has gone up, but the reforms on payroll and stamp duty are exactly what tax experts have been advising governments to do.”

The Canberra Liberals need only two more seats to win government, and ACT Opposition Leader Alistair Coe has waged an energetic and focused campaign on the rates issue.

Mr Coe told The Weekend Australian that Mr Barr’s claims of a moderate ACT Greens party was proof there was an opening for the Liberals to represent the working class.

“If they think the ACT Green Shane Rattenbury, and the Greens, are moderate, that just shows how far ACT Labor and Andrew Barr have gone to the left,” he said on Friday.

“Labor no longer represents the working poor … it thinks about what’s best for government, not what’s best for working families.”

But Mr Coe has been dogged by his longstanding conservative positions against gay marriage and abortion, which his own party feared would kill their chances in a territory dominated by university students and public servants.