Labor wins ACT election

2 Nov 2012, 6:17 pm   -   Source: AAP
The Greens have backed Labor for another four-year term in the Australian Capital Territory. (AAP)

The Greens have backed Labor for another four-year term in the Australian Capital Territory. (AAP)

The Greens have backed Labor for another four-year term in the Australian Capital Territory.

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Labor will govern for another four years in the Australian Capital Territory, after Greens MLA Shane Rattenbury announced his support for Katy Gallagher's government.

Labor and the Canberra Liberals won eight seats each in the October 20 election, with Mr Rattenbury holding the only other seat in the 17-seat assembly.

Both parties won 38.9 per cent of the primary vote, but on numbers, the Liberals were 41 votes ahead of Labor out of more than 221,000 formal ballots cast.

Mr Rattenbury said he had conducted negotiations with both leaders with "goodwill".

"My decision about who to form government with was based on good policy and the capacity to deliver stable government in the ACT over the next four years," he told reporters in Canberra on Friday.

"I have decided to support Katy Gallagher and the Labor party into government in the ACT for the next four years."

He said a 100-item agreement would be signed, including support for a light rail project for Canberra.

The ACT assembly will meet on Tuesday for the first time since the election.

Mr Rattenbury was left shouldering the Greens agenda on his own after the party, which previously held four seats and supported the Labor government, suffered a 4.9 per cent swing against it.

Mr Rattenbury said the light rail project would transform Canberra, cut greenhouse emissions and ease traffic congestion.

He said Labor had agreed to legislate for gay marriage in the ACT, following the failure of the federal parliament to pass such laws.

Mr Rattenbury has also agreed to accept a cabinet post in the government.

"I believe it is time after 17 years of the ACT Greens being represented in the legislative assembly and on the crossbench for the ACT Greens to play a role in government," he said.

"I want this to be the most progressive and green government in Australia.

"Having the responsibility of a minister I believe I can help achieve that."

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