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Public Matter

Issues · Integrity and how government works

Censures and criticism of ministers

Votes on whether to formally criticise or censure ministers.

Votes on censure motions and on statements that the government has failed. A censure is the Assembly's strongest formal criticism of a minister.

How the 25 MLAs voted

8 always for · 4 mostly for · 1 for · 1 both ways · 2 against · 1 mostly against · 8 always against

Based on 5 recorded votes. For each vote we show which side counts as “for” this issue, and count how often each MLA voted on that side. This describes how they voted, not whether they were right.

What this can’t tell you

  • Most decisions in the Assembly are made on the voices, with no names recorded. Only recorded votes appear here.
  • Many of these votes are on changes to someone else’s motion. Voting against a change can mean “not like this” or “not funded yet”, not opposition to the idea.
  • Summaries say whose proposal each vote was on, so you can see when an MLA voted on their own motion or amendment.

Not yet checked. The plain-English summaries and the links between these votes and this issue were drafted with AI help and haven’t been checked by a person yet. The votes themselves are exactly as recorded in Hansard.

Each MLA

Squares show each vote, oldest first: for, against, not voting.

Always voted for (8)

Mostly voted for (4)

Voted for (1)

Voted both ways (1)

  • Thomas Emerson · Kurrajong
    Independents for Canberra    For in 2 of 5 votes

Voted against (2)

Mostly voted against (1)

Always voted against (8)

The votes

  1. 1. 17 March 2026 · Canberra Health Services—workplace cultureNot yet checked

    The health minister's change to a Liberal motion on health workplace culture. It removed a paragraph saying the government had failed to hold itself to account. It passed.

    Voting No counts as for this issue. The change removed criticism of the government.

    Result: Ayes 14, Noes 7. Who voted each way

  2. 2. 11 June 2026 · Deputy Chief Minister Motion of censureNot yet checked

    A motion to censure the Deputy Chief Minister over problems in public schools found by an independent review. It passed.

    Voting Aye counts as for this issue. A vote to censure the minister.

    Result: Ayes 12, Noes 10. Who voted each way

  3. 3. 16 September 2026 · Attorney-General Motion of censureNot yet checked

    Mr Emerson's change to a censure motion against the Attorney-General, softening "censures" to "admonishes". It was voted down.

    Voting No counts as for this issue. It would have softened the criticism.

    Result: Ayes 10, Noes 11. Who voted each way

  4. 4. 16 September 2026 · Attorney-General Motion of censureNot yet checked

    Ms Carrick's changes adding another reason to the censure: no assessment of moving Access Canberra into Woden Library. They passed.

    Voting Aye counts as for this issue. It added to the criticism.

    Result: Ayes 12, Noes 9. Who voted each way

  5. 5. 16 September 2026 · Attorney-General Motion of censureNot yet checked

    The motion censuring the Attorney-General over Sunday library closures and seatbelt camera fines. It passed.

    Voting Aye counts as for this issue. A vote to censure the minister.

    Result: Ayes 13, Noes 10. Who voted each way