Assembly focussing on critical business during COVID-19 Pandemic

Joy Burch MLA, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly

Media release

26 March 2020

The ACT Legislative Assembly will operate on a reduced sitting schedule and focus on critical business during the COVID-19 pandemic following tri-partisan agreement. Most other Parliaments across the country have implemented similar arrangements.

The Government, Opposition, and Crossbench have worked together and agreed on how the Assembly will operate during this public health emergency.

The Assembly will next sit on Thursday 2 April to consider urgent business and changes that will enable its continued function. This change has been formally gazetted.

On Thursday 2 April the Assembly will move to change the current sitting pattern so that the option can be retained to sit as needed on each Thursday of a sitting week for the remainder of the year:

Each sitting day will be discussed and considered in line with the latest health advice and any required legislative changes following decisions from the National Cabinet Keeping one day on the schedule per sitting week will help ensure urgent legislation can still be passed, including economic stimulus measures.

The Legislative Assembly and ACT Government are committed to ensuring our democratic process continues during this crisis in way that’s safe for Members and adheres to physical distancing requirements.

These arrangements reflect the unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is impacting the operation of parliaments across Australia and the world.

ENDS