The ACT Greens are entering a pivotal year, with the party's leader, Shane Rattenbury, tasked with demonstrating that its political ambitions are matched by a tangible ability to govern and innovate.
A Strategic Retreat from Power
Following the 2024 election, the Greens made the perplexing decision to walk away from the cabinet table, ending Mr Rattenbury's long tenure as a minister. This move split the party's membership almost down the middle, casting uncertainty over a group built on consensus. However, the past year has largely vindicated the strategy, transforming what some feared would be a retreat into political irrelevance into a position of unique influence.
Now operating as a hybrid of governing partner, opposition, and progressive conscience, the Greens have carved out a dynamic space. Freed from the constraints of collective cabinet responsibility, they have been able to critique government policies they dislike without the obligation to oppose everything for the sake of it. Throughout 2025, this approach allowed them to appear more responsive and engaged than the official Liberal opposition, maintaining political relevance despite their marginal electoral footing.
The Creative Challenge of Budget Repair
In a recent interview, Mr Rattenbury identified the territory's budget repair as a central challenge requiring creative solutions. This marks a notable shift for a party traditionally more comfortable with debt than its major party rivals. It signals an attempt to appeal to a broader base of progressive voters by presenting the Greens as serious and mature economic managers.
"It's easy for a politician to say politicians ought to come up with creative solutions and much harder to come up with ideas that stick," the analysis notes. The opportunity—and the test—for the Greens is to move beyond simply identifying problems and into the realm of crafting viable, innovative policy answers.
2026: The Year of Proof
The Greens argue that Canberrans voted for change in 2024, pointing to the continued long-term slide in Labor's primary vote despite Chief Minister Andrew Barr's victory. Mr Rattenbury has observed a government in a "consolidation phase," with a limited agenda and wary of expensive promises.
This context sets the stage for the Greens' 2026 challenge. They must convince voters that the government can and should be doing more than merely coasting, all while navigating the complex task of budget repair. It will require a deft political touch. The party frequently champions ambition; this year will reveal whether their political ambitions truly align with their practical abilities to deliver change for the ACT.
