Labor faithful from across Canberra have gathered today for the party’s conference. It's the first time the annual event's been held since Labor was returned to power in the ACT for a seventh term. And while there was optimism about the party's achievements there was also concern about the challenges facing the city's health system.
00:05Twice in seven months our community voted for progressive and proven governments to lead our territory and to lead our nation.
00:15The annual conference is a chance for members and elected representatives to take stock and reflect on challenges, including increased pressure on the ACT's health system.
00:24Delegates, our public hospitals do need a further injection of federal funds to help meet this increased demand.
00:32Negotiations between the states and territories and the Commonwealth on a new five-year national health reform agreement are ongoing and the ACT government has made its stance clear.
00:42We're currently now in the ACT under the agreement below 35% Commonwealth funding when we're supposed to be aiming for a trajectory of 42.5% by the end of this five-year agreement and 45% by 2035.
00:58There were promises having Labor in power at both a territory and federal level will benefit Canberrans.
01:04The collaboration between the Albanese government and the Bar government really has seen an awful lot get done over the last three years with much more to come.
01:12I'm really confident that we will have achieved substantial progress and I hope that we'll have landed an agreement by the end of the year.
01:19Labor has been in power in the ACT for almost 24 years.
01:24The next territory election isn't due for another three years, but this conference is a chance for the party to cement its platform.
01:31A platform they're hoping Canberrans continue to support.
