Speaker's welcome

Seventh Assembly

Welcome from the Speaker, Mr Shane Rattenbury, MLA

Welcome to the website of the ACT Legislative Assembly. I hope that you find it an interesting and useful resource with helpful and relevant information about the Assembly and the way it works on behalf of all residents of the ACT. Please take time to explore the different sections of the site.

The ACT Legislative Assembly is the newest and smallest legislature in Australia, having been created in 1989. It has 17 members elected from three electorates (Brindabella, Ginninderra and Molonglo) and is responsible for both state and local functions across the Territory.

This is the Seventh Assembly; it was elected for a four year term on 18 October 2008. As a result of that election, the Australian Labor Party holds seven seats, the Canberra Liberals hold six seats and The ACT Greens hold four seats. As a newly elected Member; it is a great honour to have been chosen by my colleagues to be Speaker and to welcome you to the Assembly site on their behalf.

This website provides access to up to date information about the members of the Legislative Assembly and details of the Assembly’s work. This includes all material relating to sittings of the Assembly, such as Notice Papers, Minutes of Proceedings and Hansard reports of debates. It provides information on the Assembly’s committees including, importantly, how to make a submission to a committee inquiry.

There are also sections describing the role and history of the Assembly and its administration and accountability. The history section is particularly relevant to the Seventh Assembly as on 11 May 2009, the ACT celebrated the 20th anniversary of self government, a significant milestone for the people of the Territory.

If you have any comments about the Assembly’s website or would like to suggest ways in which it could be improved please send them to secretariat@parliament.act.gov.au .