Australian Capital Territory — political history baseline
Last updated: 2026-05-30
System
- Assembly: 25 members, 5 electorates × 5 seats (Hare-Clark)
- No local councils — territory government performs municipal functions
Key eras
| Period | Government | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1989–1995 | Labor minority / Liberal-led | Early self-government instability |
| 2001–2024 | Labor (majority or Greens confidence) | Stanhope, Gallagher, Barr |
| 2024–present | Labor + Greens | Barr fourth term; housing and light rail |
Turning points
- 1995: Kate Carnell Liberal government
- 2008: Stanhope majority after Greens split
- 2016: Light rail stage 1 — defining infrastructure divide
- 2020: COVID border policy — high approval for Barr