22nd Jun 2023, 11:28 AM – Senate Committees - Selection of Bills Committee; Report - Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Amendment Bill 2023

The majority voted in favour of an amendment introduced by South Australian Senator Anne Ruston (ACT), which means it passed.

Amendment text

At the end of the motion, add: "and, in respect of the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government)Amendment Bill 2023 the bill be referred immediately to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 9 August 2023".

What is Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Amendment Bill 2023?

The bill was introduced by Queensland Senator Matthew Canavan (LNP) and, according to the explanatory memorandum (which is a political document prepared by the party moving the bill and not the parliamentary library):

On 11 May 2023 the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government announced it would be acquiring Calvary Public Hospital, its land and its assets, effectively terminating their remaining 76-year contract and forcibly transferring Calvary staff employed at the public hospital to ACT Health.

This decision was made with no consultation, and no inquiry by the Legislative Assembly prior to the announcement.

This has resulted in significant public outcry well beyond the borders of the ACT and legitimately raised questions about the precedent this action creates, for example for faith-based schools in the future.

The purpose of this Bill is to insert a requirement that the ACT Government conduct an inquiry into the ACT legislation that enables the acquisition. This does not impact on the ACT Government’s rights to make decisions, it is intended to ensure that there is public consultation with the decision that has been made, so that people have the ability to have their voices heard.