The Greens have launched a community campaign to build an economy that works for Canberrans, not corporations – calling for the ACT to become a national leader in Community Wealth Building.
“Too much of the wealth Canberrans create is ending up in the hands of large corporations and distant shareholders, while the people who keep our city running are left paying more and getting less,” said ACT Greens Leader Jo Clay.
“I regularly hear from members of our community concerned that new government contracts go to big operators who deliver worse results, while local businesses and enterprises miss out, despite bringing a wealth of innovative ideas, volunteers, deep experience and community goodwill.”
Ms Clay pointed to ACT Government data showing local procurement has dropped from over half to just a third of all procurement since 2021, with local businesses, community and environment groups missing out on the ACT Government’s $3 billion procurement spend. Operation Kingfisher found serious corrupt conduct in one instance that resulted in a local business missing out on a contract in favour of an international company, despite the local offering a superior design at a lower cost.
“It’s not an isolated case. Three river catchment groups have looked after land care and weed management across the ACT for decades, backed by thousands of volunteers. When Government reviewed their funding last year, it found their budgets should increase – but instead of raising funding, put the existing funds out to tender, and the catchment groups lost out.
“Decades of local knowledge and volunteer goodwill isn’t something you can rebuild by running another tender.
“Planning and land use is also one of government’s most powerful tools for shaping our city. But there are many cases – Big Splash, public libraries, Phillip and Civic Pools, Richardson shops – that show community has no to little say in the future of the facilities they love.
“Government shouldn’t just step in when markets fail. They should shape procurement, land and investment to build local wealth, and make the economy work for ordinary Canberrans.
“Community Wealth Building offers a different, progressive path. By keeping wealth local and putting more power, ownership and investment in the hands of Canberra’s workers, communities and local business, we can build an economy resilient enough to weather the next shocks.”
Community Wealth Building rests on five pillars:
- Fair and secure work
- Public spending that backs local businesses, social enterprises and community organisations
- Stewarding public land and assets for community benefit
- Creating opportunities for local investment in local enterprises, projects and community assets through community banking and place-based investment models
- Giving more people a stake in the economy through employee ownership, social enterprises and co-operatives.
“Earlier this year, Scotland became the first country in the world to legislate for Community Wealth Building, making it a central pillar of its economic development. The legislation passed unanimously with support from across the political spectrum. Canberra can do the same,” said Ms Clay.
“After this community conversation, the Greens intend to develop legislation based on the Scottish Community Wealth Building Act, tailored to the ACT – committing government to building the economy Canberrans choose, not just managing the one we’ve inherited.”
Ms Clay is inviting Canberrans to share their views, with a discussion paper setting out the five pillars in more detail.
