E&OE Transcript

TV Interview

WIN News

Monday 15 September 2025

Bruce Roberts 

Alicia Payne is showing no signs of slowing down as the countdown begins until maternity leave when you sat down with a Canberra MP ahead of tonight's Community Forum discussing everything from motherhood in Parliament to her vision for the capital.

Maddi Green 

Alicia, thank you so much for joining me today. You're part of a pretty solid ACT labor team. Does it feel like Canberra finally has a seat at the table when it comes to federal decisions?

Alicia Payne MP 

It has felt so different under the Albanese Labor government, the way that Canberra is seen, the fact that the opposition's attacks on the public service at the last election was something that our prime minister was proud to fight against, not only in the Canberra discussion, but nationally, to stand up for our public service and to stand up against that cheap political point scoring of Canberra bashing. I think we're really seeing a change in that conversation.

Maddi Green 

You've been re elected as the chair of the National capitals and external territories committee. What is your goal this term?

Alicia Payne MP 

It gives me a really unique opportunity as the member for Canberra, to bring voices of Canberrans and people all around the country who are passionate about the capital to the parliament's attention, and also to make recommendations to government about how the federal government can build on the success of our capital, on strategy for the future, all these things.

Maddi Green 

The last inquiry looked at how to promote the significance of the nation's capital is that progressing.

Alicia Payne MP 

One of the key recommendations was federal funding for the new convention center, which I'm really proud that the Albanese Labor Government is delivering. We also made a range of recommendations around national institutions being supported to work together around improving transport access to the national triangle and to those institutions. We did recommend a hop on hop off bus, and that is something that I would still like to see happen at some stage, because I think it would be a really good thing for our city. Light rail coming through the triangle in coming years will help with that as well.

Maddi Green 

Conversations continue about whether a CT should have more Senate representatives. Is that something you are for?

Alicia Payne MP 

So for a long time, the ACT has been underrepresented in terms of Senate representation, and also our senators obviously have to go to an election every three years, whereas senators around the country only do every six. And I mean, the obvious comparison that everyone makes is with Tasmania, where they've got 12 senators, we've got roughly similar population, and we've only got the two. And this is something that I hope we will see addressed.

Maddi Green 

You have a little bub on the way and you're heading off on maternity leave in a couple of weeks, you've been busier than ever. So will we see you slow down at all?

Alicia Payne MP 

Being an elected representative, it's more than a job, and it's not something that ever stops, really. So when I have my baby, I will be having a few quiet weeks, but I will be keeping in touch with my office.

Maddi Green 

Alicia, thank you so much for joining me today.

Alicia Payne MP 

Thank you