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Public Matter

Issues · Cost of living

New taxes and levies

Votes on whether to raise new taxes and levies to pay for services.

Votes on new or higher taxes, such as a levy on short-stay rentals and higher payroll tax for big employers.

How the 25 MLAs voted

5 always for · 1 for · 8 both ways · 4 against · 5 always against · 2 not in these votes

Based on 3 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 (5)

Voted for (1)

Voted both ways (8)

Voted against (4)

Always voted against (5)

  • Chiaka Barry · Ginninderra
    Canberra Liberals    For in 0 of 3 votes
  • Ed Cocks · Murrumbidgee
    Canberra Liberals    For in 0 of 3 votes
  • Elizabeth Lee · Kurrajong
    Canberra Liberals    For in 0 of 3 votes
  • James Milligan · Yerrabi
    Canberra Liberals    For in 0 of 3 votes
  • Mark Parton · Brindabella
    Canberra Liberals    For in 0 of 3 votes

Not in any of these votes (2)

  • Deborah Morris · Brindabella
    Canberra Liberals    Not in any recorded vote on this issue
  • Rebecca Vassarotti · Kurrajong
    ACT Greens    Not in any recorded vote on this issue

The votes

  1. 1. 7 May 2025 · Short-Term Rental Accommodation Levy Bill 2025Not yet checked

    A new levy on short-stay rentals such as Airbnb, to raise money for services. It passed its first stage.

    Voting Aye counts as for this issue. A vote for a new levy.

    Result: Ayes 15, Noes 8. Who voted each way

  2. 2. 3 September 2025 · Budget—federal government fundingNot yet checked

    A government change to a Greens motion on federal funding. It removed calls to push for a national tax on fossil fuels. It passed.

    Voting No counts as for this issue. The change removed the call for a new fossil fuel tax.

    Result: Ayes 16, Noes 6. Who voted each way

  3. 3. 4 December 2025 · Payroll Tax Amendment Bill 2025Not yet checked

    Higher payroll tax for the largest employers, with national wages over $150 million. It passed its first stage.

    Voting Aye counts as for this issue. A vote for a higher tax.

    Result: Ayes 13, Noes 6. Who voted each way

What Canberrans said about cost of living

17%picked “Delivering cost-of-living support where it's most needed” as one of their top three priorities for the ACT Government
27%of everyone surveyed agreed enough is currently being done about it

What they most wanted

  • Reduce costs of essential items (e.g. transport, utilities)70%
  • Strengthen support for financial stress and food insecurity50%
  • Support energy efficiency upgrades to reduce household bills46%

From the 2025 Community Priorities Survey (ACT Government, YourSay Panel, summary report, april 2026), carried out 21 October to 4 November 2025: 1,801 people answered. An opt-in panel of Canberrans aged 18 and over, with extra young people recruited through a second panel, weighted by age, gender and region to match the 2021 Census. “What they most wanted” is out of the 263 people who picked this area; each could choose up to three. This shows what people told one survey. It isn’t a vote, and it doesn’t say how any MLA should vote.