2026-05-22
The ACT Greens have secured a key budget commitment from the ACT Labor Government – and are continuing to push hard to end underfunding and funding uncertainty for Canberra’s community sector.
"The Greens went into these negotiations with a clear agenda – and today’s arts announcement is proof we deliver on it,” said ACT Greens Leader Jo Clay.
“We welcome Minister Pettersen’s announcement today for a 25% uplift in funding for the arts sector. We’ve long backed calls for an arts sector funding uplift and we got Labor to agree to an uplift of a 25% increase with indexation,” said Ms Clay. Today’s budget announcement delivers on that commitment. This gives Canberra’s artists and arts organisations the certainty to plan, invest and grow — and keeps our city’s cultural heart beating.”
Laura Nuttall MLA has been speaking up for the community sector – charities, not-for-profits and community organisations that deliver essential services to Canberrans doing it tough. She moved an Assembly motion in March calling for a $20 million annual uplift to critical community services, pay parity with the public sector for workers, and earlier notification of funding for contract renewal.
"Canberrans are turning to food banks, financial counsellors, disability support services, and crisis services – organisations that step in when people have nowhere else to turn – in growing numbers. Those organisations need funding security, not annual uncertainty," Ms Nuttall said.
"We called for a $20 million annual uplift, parity of conditions with the public service, and proper indexation. Canberrans rely on these services to get by. We are not backing down from those calls.”