The ACT Greens are, for all intents and purposes, a political party operating within the confines of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). They are a constituent member of the larger federation known as the Australian Greens . Both the territorial and national iterations of the party were established in 1992, a mere three years after the ACT reluctantly embraced its newfound self-governance in 1989—a development I’m sure was met with universal enthusiasm, or at least a collective shrug.

From their inception, the ACT Greens have managed to carve out a rather significant, if often precarious, niche within the ACT Legislative Assembly . One might even say they’ve become consistently inconvenient. They have, with visible reluctance on all sides, formed either minority or full coalition governments with the Labor Party since the 2008 election, proving that even the most disparate elements can sometimes be forced into a semblance of cooperation.

Overview of the ACT Greens

• Leader: Shane Rattenbury

• Deputy Leader: Jo Clay

• Founded: 1992

• Headquarters: ACT

• Ideology: Green politics , Progressivism

• Political Position: Left-wing

• National Affiliation: Australian Greens

• Colours:   Green

• Legislative Assembly: 4 / 25

• House of Representatives (ACT seats): 0 / 3

• Senate (ACT seats): 0 / 2

• Website: greens.org.au/act

• Politics of Australia

• Political parties

• Elections

History

The narrative of the ACT Greens is one of persistent, if sometimes lonely, representation. Their journey through the Australian Capital Territory ’s unique political landscape, characterized by the Hare-Clark electoral system , has seen them transition from a minor protest voice to a recurring, albeit begrudging, partner in government.

1995–1998 Assembly

The 1995 ACT election marked a notable entry for the Greens into the ACT Legislative Assembly . This was the inaugural election conducted under the multi-member Hare-Clark system , an electoral design known for its proportional representation which, by its very nature, tends to favor smaller parties and independent candidates. In a rather unexpected turn for a nascent party, two Greens candidates, Lucy Horodny and Kerrie Tucker , successfully secured seats. The election itself concluded with the predictable outcome of a hung parliament , a situation where no single party commands an outright majority. Despite the Greens’ presence, the Liberal Party ultimately managed to cobble together a government, relying on the support of two independent members to achieve a working majority. The Greens, at this juncture, found themselves on the crossbench , observing the machinations of power from a distance.

1998–2001 Assembly

The subsequent 1998 ACT election proved to be less fruitful for the ACT Greens . Only Kerrie Tucker managed to retain her seat, leaving her as the sole representative of the party within the assembly. This period saw the Liberal Party once again forming a government, again with the indispensable, if somewhat transactional, assistance of independent members. One can only imagine the burden of being the singular voice for an entire political movement, attempting to sway policy from a minority position.

2001–2004 Assembly

The pattern of singular representation continued into the 2001 ACT election . For the third consecutive assembly, Kerrie Tucker remained the sole Greens member. During this term, the Labor Party found itself in a similar predicament to its Liberal predecessors, forming a minority government . To govern, they relied on the support of both Kerrie Tucker and Roslyn Dundas of the Australian Democrats . Interestingly, or perhaps tellingly, there was no formal parliamentary agreement or written accord established between these three parties for this assembly. One might infer that the understanding was more of a mutual, unspoken acknowledgment of necessity rather than a robust ideological alignment.

2004–2008 Assembly

The 2004 ACT election ushered in a new era, being the first territorial election held after the enactment of a fixed four-year term for the Legislative Assembly . This offered a degree of stability, though perhaps not for the Greens’ representation. Deb Foskey emerged as the new, and once again, sole Greens member of the assembly. The Labor Party during this period held an outright majority, meaning the Greens’ influence was largely confined to advocacy and holding the government to account, rather than direct participation in executive power.

2008–2012 Assembly

The 2008 Australian Capital Territory election marked a significant, if rather unsettling, shift in the fortunes of the ACT Greens . For the first time, the party achieved a substantial presence, securing four seats in the then 17-member Legislative Assembly . This unexpected surge placed them squarely in the position of holding the balance of power between the Labor party, which held seven seats, and the Liberals , with six. The four Greens members were Amanda Bresnan, Meredith Hunter, Shane Rattenbury , and Caroline Le Couteur. After what were undoubtedly protracted and rather uncomfortable deliberations with both major parties—a process that must have been akin to choosing between two equally unappealing options—the Greens made the pragmatic decision to support a Labor minority government . This decision was formalized through a parliamentary agreement, demonstrating their newfound leverage and signaling a more active role in the territory’s governance.

2012–2016 Assembly

The 2012 ACT election saw the ACT Greens experience a considerable contraction in their representation, a stark reminder of the fickle nature of electoral politics. Shane Rattenbury was the only Greens MLA to successfully retain his seat in the Legislative Assembly . Despite this reduction in numbers, the unique dynamics of the ACT’s proportional representation system meant that his single vote remained crucial. Consequently, Shane Rattenbury entered into another power-sharing arrangement, allowing the Labor Party to once again form a minority government . This agreement, a testament to the influence a single, strategically positioned member can wield, saw Shane Rattenbury appointed to significant ministerial portfolios. He oversaw Ageing; Housing; Corrections; and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, in addition to Territory and Municipal Services, serving across both the Second Gallagher Ministry and the First Barr Ministry . It’s a rather telling demonstration of political necessity, where ideological differences are temporarily shelved for the sake of governing.

2016–2020 Assembly

The 2016 ACT election saw the ACT Legislative Assembly expand in size, and the ACT Greens managed to improve their standing. Shane Rattenbury once again successfully retained his seat, a consistent presence in the assembly. Notably, Caroline Le Couteur , who had lost her seat in the 2012 election, made a successful return. This meant the Greens secured two seats, allowing them to maintain their familiar position in the balance of power for a third consecutive term. This consistent leverage underscored their importance in the formation of government in the ACT. Following the election, the ACT Greens and ACT Labor parties formally signed another parliamentary agreement, meticulously outlining the terms of their power-sharing arrangement within the government. Shane Rattenbury continued his ministerial duties, taking on the portfolios of Climate Change and Sustainability; Corrections and Justice Health; Justice, Consumer Affairs and Road Safety; and Mental Health, reflecting the party’s core policy priorities.

2020–2024 Assembly

The 2020 ACT election proved to be an exceptionally strong showing for the ACT Greens . The party achieved what was described as an “excellent result,” securing an additional seat in four out of the ACT’s five electorates, with the exception of Murrumbidgee where they already held a seat. This impressive performance saw them take two seats directly from the Labor party and another two from the Liberal party . Their representation surged to six MLAs in the 25-seat assembly, a significant increase that solidified their influence. With these six members, the Greens formed a formal coalition agreement with the 10 Labor MLAs , establishing a clear governing partnership. This agreement led to three Greens members—Shane Rattenbury , Rebecca Vassarotti , and Emma Davidson —being appointed to the nine-person cabinet , marking a new high point for the party’s executive representation and demonstrating a deeper integration into the machinery of government.

However, this period was not without its significant challenges. On 10 November 2023, Johnathan Davis , a member of the Greens MLA , was stood down from his duties and referred to police by the ACT Greens leadership. This action followed grave allegations that he had engaged in sexual relationships with an individual under the legal age of consent (which is 16 years old in the ACT) and another teenager who was legally still a child, under 18 years old at the time. The incident sent shockwaves through the party and the broader political landscape, highlighting the severe consequences of such alleged misconduct. Following the intense scrutiny and legal implications, Johnathan Davis tendered his resignation from parliament and as a member of the Greens on 12 November 2023, just two days after the allegations became public, leaving a vacancy and a considerable stain on the party’s otherwise progressive image.

2024–present

The 2024 ACT election saw a reversal of fortunes for the ACT Greens , as the party experienced a notable reduction in its parliamentary representation, shedding two of its six seats. Rebecca Vassarotti lost her seat in the second Kurrajong electorate to Thomas Emerson , who ran under the banner of Independents for Canberra . Similarly, Emma Davidson was unseated in Murrumbidgee by Fiona Carrick , representing Fiona Carrick Independent . These losses to independent candidates underscore a shifting dynamic in voter sentiment within the territory.

Following this electoral setback, the party moved from its previous position in a governing coalition to the crossbench . Instead of a formal coalition, the ACT Greens entered into a confidence and supply agreement with the Labor Party , which, for the first time in over a decade, managed to form government alone. This arrangement means the Greens commit to supporting Labor on motions of confidence and supply (like budgets) but retain the freedom to vote as they wish on other legislation, offering a more flexible, albeit less influential, role in policy formation.

In a rather prosaic, yet symbolic, development, the party vacated its Braddon office located at 2/18 Lonsdale Street in December of 2025. One might interpret this physical move as a subtle reflection of their broader shift in political standing, a quiet relocation away from the immediate heart of executive power.

Leader

The leadership of the ACT Greens has, like any political entity, seen its share of transitions. The role, while perhaps less grand than its federal counterpart, carries the weight of guiding a party through the intricate, and often thankless, landscape of territorial politics.

Party leaders

Party deputy leaders

The role of Deputy Leader often involves the unenviable task of supporting the primary leader, stepping in when necessary, and generally being the second in command in a party that often finds itself negotiating from a position of limited numbers.

Electoral results

The electoral performance of the ACT Greens offers a quantitative measure of their public appeal and political trajectory within both the territorial and federal spheres. The numbers tell a story of fluctuating support, persistent presence, and the perennial challenge of a minor party in a system often dominated by larger forces.

Territory

Federal

The ACT Greens ’ federal electoral results, as part of the broader Australian Greens movement, paint a picture of consistent, but as yet unrealized, ambition for federal representation from the ACT. Despite often garnering significant percentages of the vote, particularly in the Senate contests, converting this support into actual seats has proven to be an enduring challenge.

Members of Parliament

The individuals who have represented the ACT Greens in the Legislative Assembly form the tangible face of the party’s influence and ideological commitment. Their presence, whether solitary or as part of a larger contingent, has shaped the political discourse and legislative outcomes within the territory.

Current Legislative Assembly members

As of the current assembly, the individuals navigating the intricate dance of territorial politics under the Greens banner are:

• Shane Rattenbury (serving since 2008, a remarkably consistent presence)
• Andrew Braddock (serving since 2020)
• Jo Clay (serving since 2020)
• Laura Nuttall (serving since 2023)

Previous Legislative Assembly members

A list of those who have previously held seats, contributing to the party’s history before moving on, or being moved on:

• Lucy Horodny (1995–1998)
• Kerrie Tucker (1995–2004)
• Deb Foskey (2004–2008)
• Amanda Bresnan (2008–2012)
• Meredith Hunter (2008–2012)
• Caroline Le Couteur (served two distinct terms: 2008–2012, and then again from 2016–2020)
• Johnathan Davis (2020–2023, a tenure cut short under regrettable circumstances)
• Rebecca Vassarotti (2020–2024)
• Emma Davidson (2020–2024)