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The Canberra Times
The Canberra Times
Lucy Bladen

Libs' concession 'a bit premature' with independents hoping of claiming third seat

Independents are still hopeful of holding the balance of power, with one saying a Liberal concession on Saturday night may have been "a bit premature".

But a spokesman for Opposition Leader Elizabeth Lee said on Sunday afternoon she never ruled out the possibility the Liberals would not be able to form government only it appeared unlikely.

Thomas Emerson and Fiona Carrick will be the first independent party candidates to be elected to the Legislative Assembly in this century.

But the Independents for Canberra camp are holding out hopes David Pollard in Yerrabi could be elected over the Greens' Andrew Braddock through preference flows.

If this were to happen independents would have three seats and the Greens would have two. Labor is widely expected to win 10 seats and would need to come to an agreement with three crossbenchers to form power.

Although Mr Braddock does appear more likely to win the seat at this stage.

Mr Emerson, who is the leader of Independents for Canberra and ran in Kurrajong, said it was still possible for independents to hold the balance of power.

"Saturday's night speeches struck me as a bit premature. A balance-of-power independent crossbench is still possible if preferences flow to Independents of Canberra in Yerrabi and David Pollard is elected," he said.

Fiona Carrick and Thomas Emerson are set to be the first independent party candidates elected to the Legislative Assembly in more than two decades. Picture by Keegan Carroll

Mr Emerson said he would like to see the final numbers before declaring a position but has previously said he was a progressive independent. Mr Pollard is a supporter of light rail but the Liberals would scrap a continued expansion of the project.

Ms Lee conceded on Saturday night shortly after 9pm, saying it appeared Labor and the Greens would get to 13 seats and they would govern together.

A spokesman for the Canberra Liberals leader said this was based on ABC chief election analyst Antony Green's projection it was unlikely for the party to form a government.

"If the final make-up of the Assembly is not a combined 13 Labor-Green, then all options remain on the table," Ms Lee's spokesman said.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr said he believed Labor was the only party in a position to form a government that could be "stable and progressive", saying the five crossbenchers shared these values.

"I don't think the Canberra Liberals are seeing a pathway to form government," he said.

Mr Barr said he would seek to have an agreement with the newly elected independents even if Labor is able to secure government with the Greens. He said there was an alignment between Labor and Mr Emerson and Ms Carrick.

Opposition Leader Elizabeth Lee giving her concession speech on Saturday night. Picture by Keegan Carroll

"I would still seek to have a productive engagement with [independents] and if they were willing to have some form of agreement at least around supply and confidence matters that would be useful," he said.

"Clearly Thomas and Fiona want to play a productive role in the Assembly. They've been very clear about that, to not be obstructionist, to support good policy. If you have a look at Labor's policy agenda and some of the areas they have high listed in their campaigns I think there is certainly a workable alignment there."

Mr Carrick and Mr Emerson met at the Legislative Assembly on Sunday afternoon. Both are planning to speak with Mr Barr during the week.

They ran for different independent parties, with Ms Carrick running under her own banner in Murrumbidgee.

They are planning to work closely when they are in the Assembly.

Ms Carrick said she was open to discussions with everyone in order to achieve the outcomes she wanted.

"I'm open to discussions with everyone. Of course, housing and front-line services, health professionals, teachers and police are a huge priority," she said.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr said he wanted to form an agreement with all crossbenchers. Picture by Keegan Carroll

"Of course, my local electorate is important to me but the main thing is that I maintain the ability to have a voice for my electorate."

Ms Carrick has said she won't form government with any party that diminishes policies around LGBTQIA+ rights, gay marriage, access to safe abortion and voluntary assisted dying.

Mr Emerson said he wanted to negotiate on the basis of the Independents of Canberra statement of expectations, which it released prior to the election in the circumstance it held the balance of power.

The expectations included the introduction of a Future Generations Act, a commitment to clear 75 per cent of the elective surgery waitlist within a year and an independent inquiry into the ACT's justice system.

Mr Emerson said on Monday the Future Generations Act would be a main priority but he also wanted to tackle homelessness.

"I think an outcome that everyone in our city wants is that everyone in Canberra has a safe place to sleep and that's not the case currently." he said.

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