“To win a seat in Kurrajong means replacing at least one of four ministers or the Liberal Party’s Leader of the Opposition,” writes political columnist MICHAEL MOORE.

The election for the ACT Legislative Assembly in October is becoming more and more interesting. 

The nomination of Paul Girrawah House, Ngambri/Kamberri Leader, for the First Nation(s) Party throws a spanner in the works for Labor and the Greens.

Noting that the ACT had the highest “Yes” vote in the Voice referendum, Mr House has entered the election with bold policies to improve the lot of indigenous Canberrans. 

The policy mandates the transfer to local Aboriginal people of full control and rights of all Crown Nature Reserves, which cover more than 60 per cent of the ACT. In addition to Namadgi National Park, the policy includes most of the urban bushland within the city boundaries.

Mr House currently works for the Australian National University as a senior community engagement officer. He has made clear that he would seek to represent all Canberrans, although with a strong focus on indigenous issues.

He is the only candidate announced so far for the First Nation(s) Party where he is also the registered officer and secretary. He joins others such as the Belco Party, the Strong Independents, Fiona Carrick Independent as minor parties or independents contesting the election

The advent of the First Nation Party may have an impact on the electoral chances of such minor parties, but particularly the Peter Strong Independents and Independents for Canberra. Both have lead candidates in Peter Strong and Thomas Emerson who are running in the same electorate of Kurrajong.

The Chief Minister, Andrew Barr, and his Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith are running in the same five-member electorate. The leader of the Liberals, Elizabeth Lee is also running in Kurrajong.

The Attorney-General and Greens’ leader, Shane Rattenbury along with Minister and Deputy Leader Rebecca Vassarotti are also standing in Kurrajong. 

To win a seat in Kurrajong means replacing at least one of four ministers or the Liberal Party’s Leader of the Opposition.

Peter Strong announced his candidacy for election at the start of the year, and has been working hard to win voters. His website is thorough and provides a clear idea of where he stands across a wide range of issues. Even so, it is a tall order to win a seat in Kurrajong.

The most vulnerable of the four ministers is Stephen-Smith who is hoping to boost her electoral chances with the opening this month of the new emergency facilities at the Canberra Hospital.

However, facilities are only one part of the equation, the government has promised 800 more staff – but considering international shortages, there is no indication where they will come from or where the money is coming from to pay for them.

Chances for grouped independents and minor parties are better under the Hare-Clark system. Voters can punish incumbents by leaving the square next to someone’s name unmarked. 

And some of the Greens’ voters will be tempted to switch to the First Nation(s) Party leaving Vassarotti vulnerable. The appeal for the Greens voters to transition is policies such as “a revolutionary yet necessary step towards rectifying historical injustices and recognising the inherent sovereignty of First Nations people. We are reclaiming what was unjustly taken from us”.

Mr House wants to improve his chances by seeking preferences from the major parties. However, at most this will be a recommendation. It is not parties, but voters who individually determine where their preferences flow.

He argues that the policies he will present mark “a bold step toward dismantling colonial legacies and restoring the rightful ownership and stewardship of indigenous lands”.

These policies include, “provision for supporting economic development through ecotourism, land-based enterprises, and employment opportunities for First Nations people. It fosters generational wealth and sustainable economic growth while respecting cultural values and environmental preservation.”

The First Nation(s) Party has only announced this single candidate in the most challenging electorate. Furthermore, only a few months out from the election the website of the party has yet to set out any of their policies or their approach.

Despite limiting his chances by running in Kurrajong, Paul Girrawah House has added to the rich tapestry of the elections that have been conducted in the ACT since self-government. It will be interesting to see how well his party performs.

Michael Moore is a former member of the ACT Legislative Assembly and an independent minister for health. He has been a political columnist with “CityNews” since 2006.