Latest news with #LeanneCastley
ABC News
27-06-2025
- Business
- ABC News
ACT opposition leader's first budget reply speech upstaged by Greens' health levy opposition
Despite her long career in show business, Leanne Castley may never have been upstaged quite like she was in the ACT Legislative Assembly on Thursday. But the last week may have provided material for some new country songs. The Canberra Liberals leader rose to her feet for her first budget reply speech; a major set piece event for someone who admits she's not a "typical politician". At the conclusion, she left the chamber with an easy smile, embraced by supporters congratulating her on a job well done. Yet it was the speech that followed — from ACT Greens Leader Shane Rattenbury — that left the biggest mark on budget week. The Greens' decision to oppose the government's $250 health levy is a sign that, when it comes to passing bills in this assembly, the Animal Farm theory applies; some MLAs are more equal than others. The Liberals can but oppose, while the Greens — flexing their crossbench muscle — are the ones the government must pay attention to. This is arguably the most significant political fight the minor party has picked with its former coalition partner so far. The question now is how the fight ends. Negotiations began yesterday, with no clear resolution. The Greens have indicated they're open to means-testing the levy, if it can't be removed from the budget entirely. But if either side makes the political calculation they should play hard ball, its fate could hang in the balance for months, with the assembly not sitting again until September. Greater costs for ratepayers may have been foreshadowed when Treasurer Chris Steel said there would be "tough decisions" at his mid-year budget update. The levy, however, shocked many — and stands in stark contrast to the pre-election budget we got last year which contained few, if any, surprises. It's not unusual for governments to get the tough budget out of the way in the first year of a term. But this is also not Labor's first term. By bringing down a budget of this nature after 24 years in office, the government is setting a high bar for itself to have made significant improvements by the time voters next go to the polls. Part of why Labor was successful last year even after six terms was the ability to stake a claim as the superior economic managers. The chief minister famously accused the opposition of "magic pudding economics" during the leaders debate. He might have been wishing for his own magic pudding this week. The events of the last few days have taken some of the attention away from an opposition leader, who could have used an unobstructed moment in the spotlight. Ever since Peter Cain's departure from shadow cabinet last week, Leanne Castley has struggled for clear air, with an ongoing dispute about exactly how his resignation came about. Her budget reply was the ideal opportunity, but through no fault of her own, it failed to provide the kind of moment she was after. Attention now turns to the forthcoming announcement of the revised shadow cabinet, which may provide another reset moment. If there is any lesson from a budget week, it is surely that nobody gets everything they want.
ABC News
26-06-2025
- Business
- ABC News
ACT Opposition Leader Leanne Castley slams tough budget as out of touch with Canberrans
ACT Opposition Leader Leanne Castley has taken aim at the government, using her budget reply speech to accuse Labor of missing the mark on bread and butter issues. This week's ACT budget included increased charges and levies for ratepayers as the government attempted to address a deficit of more than $1 billion. Ms Castley said the government had lost focus on the issues that Canberrans cared about. She argued that "Andrew Barr's big economic vision" had meant her political rival no longer recognised politics as local. "Most people in Canberra aren't political tragics or ideologues, they just want their lights to turn on, they want good healthcare in an emergency and an operation when they need it," Ms Castley said. "This is not a budget that's going to help Canberrans. It's taxing them more and it's a real struggle for families as it is. "We have to get ourselves to a position where we have that spending under control, which isn't about cutting jobs. "It's about understanding what needs to be done and how we need to do the best things that we can for Canberrans." While criticising the government, Ms Castley did not outline any new policies of her own. She said future announcements would include a focus on housing affordability and measures to tackle what she said was an "exodus of small businesses from Canberra". Hamid Monga is one business owner feeling the pinch. He opened a dry cleaning business in Canberra's inner north five months ago. "In the budget there's no incentives for the businesses at the moment, especially to go green." The former public servant says he's done everything he can to keep costs down while running promotions to attract more customers. "But because of the high rates and the cost of living and the inflation … [revenue] is not going up at all," Mr Monga said. The budget lowers the threshold for collecting payroll tax to capture more small and medium businesses. Those with a payroll above $1.75 million will now have to contribute, down from $2 million. Mr Monga said he was relieved that he did not have enough employees to incur payroll tax, but as a leaseholder, he feared his landlord would pass on the costs of increased commercial rates. High value commercial properties with a land value of $5 million or higher will now also have to pay more in rates. "We certainly don't like it and we don't welcome it," Ashlee Berry, the ACT and capital region executive director of the Property Council of Australia, said. "The increases on commercial rates, year on year, are just unsustainable and they're hurting our industry. They're hurting our businesses and we need to see something more happen." Canberra Business Chamber chief executive Greg Harford agreed it was becoming "It is increasingly difficult to do business here in the ACT. It is expensive … and there are a number of challenges around labour and the regulatory environment," he said. He said the government should be asking itself:
ABC News
20-06-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Leanne Castley says no formal staff complaints raised as Peter Cain resigns from Canberra Liberals shadow cabinet
ACT Opposition Leader Leanne Castley says MLA Peter Cain's resignation from her shadow cabinet was unexpected and that no formal complaints have been lodged by staff in her team. Mr Cain resigned from the frontbench yesterday, citing concerns about the direction of the leadership team and decision-making processes. "This decision follows ongoing concerns regarding the direction of the current leadership team and the processes through which key decisions have been made," he said. In the statement, Mr Cain implied there were workplace culture problems within the party. "I also have a duty of care to my hardworking staff, who deserve to work in a safe, supportive, and respectful environment," the statement said. Ms Castley, however, told ABC Canberra this morning she is disappointed Mr Cain did not come to her earlier with his concerns. When asked what she had known about Mr Cain's reasons for stepping down, Ms Castley said: "I know as much as you do". She said he spoke to her in her office on Thursday morning before issuing his statement. "So that's what happened and I respect his choice and decision. "We'd had no conversation [about his concerns previously]." She said when she took over the leadership in the wake of the 2024 ACT election, replacing Elizabeth Lee, she had "made a commitment to always have an open door". "I don't stand for gossip and I'm really keen to chat with anyone who has a problem," she said. "So always, and will remain so, my door is open for Peter any time he wants to come and have a chat with me and, yeah, that won't change." Ms Castley said she believed "communication is key". "There are definite changes … as I say, I have a completely open door policy in the assembly … but we can't do the same thing we've always done and expect a different result," she said. "So, we're getting some great wins in the chamber and I know that the team are really excited by that. Ms Castley was adamant she had a cohesive team, despite Mr Cain's move to the backbench. "Our goal is to win government in 2028. "Whether everyone is wanting to take a portfolio at this time, or wanting to take a bit of time to pause and reflect, that's OK as well." Asked about information from Liberal sources who had revealed the situation had been developing and that Mr Cain had voiced concerns previously, Ms Castley said she had not been privy to that. She said he had not raised concerns with her "about decisions the leadership team are making". She added that when she asked Mr Cain why he was resigning, he said: "We'll discuss that at another time". Ms Castley also agreed with Mr Cain's comments about a "duty of care" for staff and said no formal complaints had been lodged within their team. "We have an amazing HR team in the assembly, any question you have for them, they're always open and very good at that two-way communication as well, so I would encourage all of our staff to make sure they're taking care of themself," she said. "It's a tough job when your boss is constantly getting slammed for one thing or another." Asked if any informal complaints had been made, she said: "I think every office is having informal discussions about the way staff are being treated". Yesterday, ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr described Mr Cain's resignation from the shadow cabinet as a "reflection of deep divisions within the Canberra Liberals on key policy issues". "His comments regarding the safety of his staff are particularly concerning," Mr Barr said in a statement. "One thing is clear: the Canberra Liberals remain deeply conservative, increasingly out of touch, and more divided than ever." But today Ms Castley said she was confident she was the right person to lead the Canberra Liberals. "Absolutely, I think we're stronger than we have been," she stated. "Knowing that we're coming into budget week strong, ready for questions, ready to understand what this budget is about."
ABC News
19-06-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Peter Cain resigns from Canberra Liberals shadow cabinet over concerns about leadership
Canberra Liberals MLA Peter Cain has resigned from the shadow cabinet, citing concerns about the party's leadership. In a statement, Mr Cain said his resignation was "effective immediately". "This decision follows ongoing concerns regarding the direction of the current leadership team and the processes through which key decisions have been made," he said. Mr Cain was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in 2020 and represents the electorate of Ginninderra. He has most recently held the shadow ministries of attorney-general, planning and environment and housing services. Soon after the 2024 ACT election, Leanne Castley was named leader of the party, replacing Elizabeth Lee, and Jeremy Hanson was elected as her deputy. In the statement, Mr Cain said the decision to resign was not one he had "taken lightly". "I believe I can best serve the Canberra community and the people of Ginninderra from the backbench." He also alluded to issues around workplace culture being among the reasons for his resignation. "I also have a duty of care to my hardworking staff, who deserve to work in a safe, supportive, and respectful environment," he said. He said he would remain on the backbench as a member of the party and "continue to work hard, speak up and advocate for policies that reflect the best of what a Liberal philosophy has to offer". "I am proud of the work I have done and the advocacy I have led across the portfolios I have held, always with a focus on delivering better outcomes for Canberrans," he said. "I remain available to engage with anyone to advance the best interests of Belconnen and the ACT." Leanne Castley and the Canberra Liberals have been approached for comment.
ABC News
08-06-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Leanne Castley's plea to outlaw coercive control is painfully personal
Canberra Liberals leader Leanne Castley says coercive control stripped power, freedom and independence from the two women closest to her.
