Parton says Canberrans are 'more vulnerable' after budget's release

Canberra Liberals leader Mark Parton has slammed the ACT's finances in response to the annual budget. (ABC News: Stuart Carnegie)

The Canberra Liberals have responded to the government's budget, taking aim at "a massive red hole" in the ACT's finances.

Leader Mark Parton said Canberrans were more vulnerable as a result of the budget.

ACT Greens acting leader Jo Clay has criticised the government's rollout of the light rail project.

The Canberra Liberals and ACT Greens have delivered their responses to Wednesday's annual budget unveiled by Treasurer Chris Steel.

In their responses, both parties shared parallel acknowledgements and criticisms of the government's fiscal plan, principally around cost of living, transport and management of the territory's finances.

Liberal leader Mark Parton, in his first budget reply speech, declared the ACT was in "a massive red hole" and the budget "does not show us the way out".

He argued that rather than a financial plan that made life better for Canberrans, people had "been left more vulnerable, not more secure".

"Mr Speaker, this is the central failure of this budget — it does not meet the moment," Mr Parton said.

He said the Opposition would introduce legislation to establish a Charter of Budget Responsibility for the ACT, which he claimed would "strengthen transparency, accountability and fiscal discipline in the territory".

Mr Parton's speech doubled as an early set piece to lay out his leadership vision, given he has only been in charge for seven months and has endured problems within the party since.

But he made clear that the Opposition's policy offering would take some time to develop.

Mark Parton spoke of his leadership vision while responding to the budget. (ABC News: Joel Wilson)

He put forward some policy ideas in his reply, centred on community safety, financial management and better health services for women.

Mr Parton focused on improvements to Civic to address public safety and cleanliness, to make it a more appealing place to be.

This year's ACT budget reveals rates will increase for most Canberra home owners, along with the territory's deficit, but the controversial health levy introduced last year will be ditched.

He introduced the concept of a "Safer Summer" pilot program for the summer of 2028-29, which included a couple of key promises.

One was to re-criminalise recreational methamphetamine, which under existing ACT law is subject to a fine penalty rather than criminal charges, if people are found with a small quantity of the drug.

He also pledged to establish "dedicated graffiti