An inquiry into the ACT's criminal justice system will be conducted with the commitment included in a supply agreement between a key independent and the Labor party.
Member for Kurrajong Thomas Emerson and ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr signed an agreement in the early hours of Wednesday morning after the Greens decided to sit on the crossbench.
Mr Emerson's supply agreement included his support for Mr Barr as chief minister and will vote for him in the chamber on Wednesday morning.
The agreement includes commitments to increase public and community housing as an overall proportion of ACT residential dwellings, to examine new methods to reduce elective surgery wait times and to establish a strata commissioner.
It also includes a commitment for a "comprehensive, holistic, Assembly-led committee inquiry, or a set of more targeted inquiries to allow more immediate action, into ACT's criminal justice system".
This was a key commitment from the Independents for Canberra in the election campaign.
The agreement will be reviewed annually.
Mr Emerson said he wanted to see the formation of a stable government and wanted greater transparency. He said this agreement would allow for this.
"Canberrans have been calling for more transparency, accountability and responsiveness from our government. This agreement is a good first step toward answering those calls," he said.
"From the start of my campaign, I committed to retaining my independence while working collaboratively to create meaningful change. The terms of this agreement support that commitment, putting me in a position to operate as an effective independent MLA over the next four years. "
The Greens have decided to sit on the crossbench, turning down positions in cabinet after finding Labor unwilling to budge on some issues in extensive negotiations.
The Greens and Labor will have their own supply and confidence agreement.
Mr Barr has dismissed suggestions the Greens' decision would make it harder for the government to pass legislation.
"I think the election results had lessons for everyone and a little bit more collaboration across parties and independents in the Assembly is one of those lessons," Mr Barr said.
The Chief Minister said on Wednesday morning he would announce his cabinet in the next 24 to 48 hours.
The Legislative Assembly will sit for the first time since the election on Wednesday morning and members will elect a speaker and chief minister.
Mr Barr said Labor and the Greens had been through 250 individual policy proposals in detail over 25 to 30 hours of meetings.
"We've had discussions with the independents as well, and I'm optimistic of supply and confidence agreements with the entire crossbench," he told ABC Radio.
The ACT Greens wrote to Mr Barr late on Tuesday to confirm they would sit on the crossbench.
Mr Barr said Labor and the Greens had not been able to reach agreement in a handful of areas.
"I think that was expected, given the various resource constraints that there are on the budget, on our available workforce, in particular areas of construction, for example. Where we felt what the Greens were seeking was neither practical or affordable in this parliamentary term," he said.
Mr Rattenbury said housing, transport emissions, light rail investment, walking and cycling infrastructure and environment repair were areas the Greens could not reach an agreement with Labor.
The Greens leader said the party would be challenging Labor, asking questions and holding them to account, while seeking to be collaborative and constructive.
"What we've done in recent years is much of that negotiation has taken place through the cabinet process. More of it will be more visible now in the sense that the Labor Party will take their decisions in cabinet, and then they'll need to work with other members of the Assembly," Mr Rattenbury told ABC Radio.
"The Greens will continue to hold the balance of power in that regard. And so we will need to work through things, we want to get things done in Canberra. This is not about slowing things down, but it is about scrutinising and making sure that we are getting the best possible outcomes."
