A new commission is needed to unlock the economic potential of the Canberra region and make it easier for governments and business to work on both sides of the ACT border and drive investment, a Labor MP says.
David Smith, the Labor member for Bean, called for the establishment of a "Capital Region Compact" and a joint economic commission established by agreement of the Commonwealth, ACT and NSW governments tasked with boosting the region's productivity.
Within its first hundred days, the commission should publish a baseline audit of duplicated regulation, approval delays, cross-border infrastructure gaps and barriers to private investment," Mr Smith told a conference organised by ClubsACT on Thursday.
The MP who represents the ACT's south said the commission should be established by the end of the year to "prove that governments can co-operate across borders, that regional communities can share growth, and that Canberra can once again be one of Australia's great nation-building stories".
"Around its table should sit the three governments, the councils, business, universities, unions, economists, First Nations representatives and the community," he said.
"And each year it should report publicly against clear measures: approval times reduced, licences mutually recognised, private capital attracted, housing enabled, commercial investment accelerated, health services coordinated, infrastructure jointly sequenced, compliance costs removed."
Mr Smith acknowledged the memorandum of understanding signed by the ACT and NSW governments but said a new deal needed the Commonwealth as a standing partner and published targets for governments to be judged against.
"We already function as a single region. A family might live in Bungendore, work in Barton, study in Belconnen and see a specialist in Garran. Our challenge is not to create a regional economy. It exists. Our challenge is to govern and plan for it accordingly," he said.
Mr Smith also used the speech to reiterate his call for a review of the ACT's self-government arrangements, which received a cool reception from the territory Labor government.
"The ACT government's response was that self-government has served Canberra well. I agree. It was how my article began," he said.
"But 'it has served us well' is where the question begins, not where it ends. A city that has doubled in size deserves to have its institutions examined on their merits, not defended by reflex. So let me be clear: I am not walking away from that call.
"Asking these questions on behalf of my constituents is not a distraction from the job. It is the job."
Mr Smith said a comprehensive review of self-government was unfinished business in the territory and the economic challenges facing the territory needed contemporary solutions.
"So here is the choice. We can keep managing a model built around public administration, land and population growth while debt and interest narrow our choices. Or we can use the strengths we still have, our people, our institutions, our universities, our councils, our clubs and our national role, to build a broader economy while we are strong enough to do it on our own terms," he said.
"A century ago, Australians built a capital out of a sheep paddock. Our generation's task is to build the economic resilience that carries it through its second century. The ACT border should remain an administrative boundary. It should never be an economic barrier."
Asked about Mr Smith's proposal, ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the territory was always interested in ideas to strengthen regional cooperation and economic development.
"There are successful examples elsewhere, including the Greater Sydney Commission model, which brings governments together around long-term planning, infrastructure and growth," Mr Barr said.
The Canberra region already benefited from strong collaboration between the ACT, NSW and Commonwealth governments, along with councils and the National Capital Authority, and the ACT government was focused on making sure those arrangements kep delivering practical outcomes, he said.
"Our priority remains advocating for fair and sustainable funding arrangements for Canberra while continuing to work closely with the Commonwealth, NSW Government, regional councils and the National Capital Authority to support the long-term growth and prosperity of the Canberra region," Mr Barr said.
