“The leadership demonstrated by independent MLAs Thomas Emerson and Fiona Carrick means the ACT government has now supported some of the most vulnerable people in our community,” writes political columnist MICHAEL MOORE.

The independents in the ACT Assembly have been exercising their power in an appropriate and effective manner. 

A persistent, measured and firm approach from crossbench members facilitates more effective government and better community outcomes.

The leadership demonstrated by independent MLAs Thomas Emerson and Fiona Carrick means the ACT government has now supported some of the most vulnerable people in our community.

A common factor was working closely with community members to push the government towards an outcome that they would otherwise have resisted.

This community focus is an effective approach by the independents and one that has been key to the outstanding success of recently re-elected Senator David Pocock.

An inquiry into systemic issues surrounding Aboriginal deaths in the Alexander Maconochie Centre was a result of the work of Thomas Emerson. 

The ACT correctional facility drifted well away from its philosophy of care and rehabilitation pioneered by Alexander Maconochie, after whom the prison is named. 

Mr Emerson took this into account when successfully moved a motion in the ACT Assembly to establish an independent inquiry. By offering some compromise, he has been able to gain unanimous support for the inquiry. Support from the government, and particularly Corrections Minister Dr Marisa Paterson, should mean a more open and effective inquiry.

“I’ve heard repeatedly that the treatment of Aboriginal people in Canberra’s prison is not rehabilitative or safe, let alone culturally safe,” argued Mr Emerson.

He added in a press release the following day: “The grieving mothers and First Nations community leaders in the gallery yesterday were relieved to see their calls for a powerful, well-resourced, independent inquiry finally answered.”

Other local community members watched the debate from the gallery. They included prominent First Nations activists, Wiradjuri woman Julie Tongs, Bundjalung man Joe Hedger, and chair of the elected Aboriginal and Torres Strait body Maurice Walker. Having raised the issue multiple times, they were there to see the matter carried through.

The outcome of the inquiry into the prison and the response of the government is well down the track. However, the groundwork has been prepared.

A parallel approach was taken by Fiona Carrick. Her extraordinary persistence paid dividends. Again and again Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith pursued the closure of Burrangiri Aged Care Respite Centre in Rivett. 

Despite this, Ms Carrick challenged the minister while working with the community to identify and make public the acute shortage of respite care places.

A petition was launched by her in conjunction with the community group. It pointed out “there is already an acute shortage of respite places in the ACT. The Burrangiri Centre offers a day care program and short stay respite for up to three weeks without requiring an ACAT assessment”. 

A motion was put to the Assembly and passed. However, the Minister remained stubborn, rejecting the thrust of the motion.

It was not until May 14 that the minister finally saw the light, recognised the strength of argument and the will of the majority of members of the Assembly, and facilitated a two-year extension of operations for the centre.

In early March the Assembly passed a motion requiring the minister to extend the contract for Burrangari. As this decision involved direct expenditure of money, the minister was within her rights to reject the motion of the Assembly. 

However, this was not enough to make Ms Carrick back down. On May 8 the Assembly again directed the minister to keep the Burrangari Respite Centre open.

Her persistence is to be admired. It took months – but the outcome was achieved.

Ms Carrick gave credit where it was due, as she acknowledged “the tireless and relentless advocacy of the Save Burrangiri Action Group, particularly Penny McKenzie and Peter Lyons, who have been the driving force behind the community’s powerful advocacy on this issue”.

However, the community would not have been able to reverse the government’s decision without the relentless support of the independent member for Murrumbidgee.

In the meantime, the Greens members, who form the remainder of the crossbench, are finding their feet in their new role. 

Greens leader Shane Rattenbury has highlighted the government’s tardy approach to community consultation. He highlighted the series of advisory bodies that have been disbanded or ignored. 

The independents and the Greens, who no longer have influence through the cabinet, are doing their job in keeping the government accountable.

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.