Australian Capital Territory Gains Self-Government

On May 11, 1989, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) officially gained self-government, marking a significant shift in the region's political landscape. Before this, the ACT was directly administered by the Australian federal government. However, increasing calls for local representation and governance led to the passage of the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988, which granted the territory legislative authority over its own affairs. Following this, the first ACT Legislative Assembly was elected, and Rosemary Follett became the territory’s first Chief Minister, making history as Australia’s first female head of government. The transition to self-government gave the people of Canberra greater control over policies affecting their daily lives, such as education, health, and urban development. While the move was met with mixed reactions—some residents were reluctant about managing local governance—the ACT has since grown into a fully functional self-governing territory with a strong political framework. This milestone reinforced Australia’s federal system, ensuring more localized decision-making for its citizens. #MomentsOfLife #MoofLife_Moment #MoofLife #ACTSelfGovernment #Canberra #AustraliaHistory