Jo Clay

{{Short description|Australian politician (born 1977)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}} {{Use Australian English|date=October 2020}} {{Infobox officeholder | honorific_prefix = | name = Jo Clay | honorific_suffix = MLA | image = Jo Clay 2024 election (cropped, full torso).jpg | alt = Jo Clay standing and smiling with her hands resting together on her stomach with a ring on her right middle finger. She has black hair, parted at the middle and out. She is wearing an unbuttoned green button-up coat, with an olive green shirt underneath, and a black shirt poking out at the collar beneath that. She is standing in the foreground of blurred greenery. | caption = Clay in 2024 | office = Leader of the ACT Greens | status = Incumbent{{efn|While Clay is officially plainly leader rather than serving in an interim or acting capacity, a leadership election of the membership will still be held after Shane Rattenbury's replacement as MLA is elected via countback.}} | term_start = 15 May 2026 | term_end = | predecessor = Shane Rattenbury | successor = | office1 = Deputy Leader of the ACT Greens | term_start1 = 19 December 2024 | term_end1 = 15 May 2026 | leader1 = Shane Rattenbury | predecessor1 = Rebecca Vassarotti | successor1 = ''Vacant'' | constituency_AM2 = Ginninderra | assembly2 = Australian Capital Territory Legislative | term_start2 = 17 October 2020 | term_end2 = | predecessor2 = Gordon Ramsay | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1977|02|07|df=y}} | birth_place = Weetangera, Australian Capital Territory, Australia | birth_name = | citizenship = | party = ACT Greens | relations = | spouse = | occupation = | profession = | children = | cabinet = Clay frontbench | committees = {{Plainlist| * Fiscal Sustainability (Chair) * Environment & Planning (Chair) }} | alma_mater = University of Wollongong (LLB) | portfolio = {{Plainlist| * Finance * Environment * Arts & the Nighttime Economy * Planning & Urban Renewal * Circular Economy & Waste * Animal Welfare * Heritage }} }}

'''Joanne T. Clay''' (born 1977)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://act.smartvote.org/en/profiles/candidate/n7wleJ2CXOlUPpD7W4cB/1|title=Jo Clay|work=smartvote Australia|publisher=Australian National University}}</ref> is an Australian politician serving as Leader of the ACT Greens and a member of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly for Ginninderra since 2020. Clay was previously the ACT Greens Deputy Leader from 2024 until Shane Rattenbury's retirement in May 2026.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2 October 2020|title=2020 ACT election: Jo Clay interview|url=https://www.nowuc.com.au/2020/10/2020-act-election-jo-clay-interview/|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=20 October 2020|website=}}</ref>

== Early life and career ==

Clay grew up in Canberra and attended Weetangera Primary and Radford College in Canberra.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Clay |first=Jo |date=2026-01-14 |title=Jo Clay, Candidate for Ginninderra |url=https://greens.org.au/act/person/jo-clay-0 |access-date=2026-01-13 |website=greens.org.au |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Jo Clay – Radford Collegians' Association|url=https://radfordcollegians.com.au/collegian/jo-clay/|access-date=2020-10-19|website=radfordcollegians.com.au|language=en-US}}</ref> She went on to complete a Bachelor of Law and a Bachelor of Creative Arts at the University of Wollongong and a year on exchange at University of Colorado, Boulder.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jo Clay |url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-clay/ |website=linkedin.com |publisher=Jo Clay |access-date=30 November 2025}}</ref><ref name=awards/>

Clay was a writer in the 2000s and early 2010s, developing and publishing the RomZomCom ''A Single Girl's Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse'' which won Marion's Olvar Wood Fellowship Award.<ref>{{cite web |title=Olvar Wood Fellowship Award |url=https://marion.ink/cacm/tag/Olvar+Wood+Fellowship+Award |website=marion.ink |publisher=MARION |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251130045020/https://marion.ink/cacm/tag/Olvar+Wood+Fellowship+Award |archive-date=30 November 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=awards/>

Prior to entering politics, Clay worked in various companies focused on improving the environment, including setting up Send and Shred, a company that recycles shredded documents, and The Carbon Diet about reducing her carbon footprint.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jo Clay {{!}} ACT Greens|url=https://greens.org.au/act/person/jo-clay|access-date=2020-10-19|website=The ACT Greens|language=en}}</ref>

== Political career == === First Term === At the 2020 Australian Capital Territory election Clay won one of the five seats in Ginninderra, unseating Labor MLA Gordon Ramsay.<ref>{{Cite web|title=ACT Election 2020 Results - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/act/2020/results|access-date=2020-10-19|website=ABC News|language=en-AU}}</ref>

During that term, Clay was responsible for the spokesperson portfolios of Transport, Active Travel, Parks and Conservation, Animal Welfare, Arts and Culture, Circular Economy, Science, and Women.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jo Clay Member for Ginninderra |url=https://greens.org.au/act/person/jo-clay |website=greens.org.au/act |publisher=ACT Greens |access-date=12 November 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311072606/https://greens.org.au/act/person/jo-clay |archive-date=11 March 2022 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Second term === Clay retained her seat at the 2024 election. Following the election, she nominated for the position of ACT Greens after Rebecca Vassarotti, the incumbent Deputy Leader, lost her seat. Clay was elected by a ballot of the party general membership, running unopposed but still requiring a majority support vote to take office.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jo Clay elected Deputy Leader of ACT Greens |url=https://region.com.au/jo-clay-elected-deputy-leader-of-act-greens/835462/ |access-date=12 November 2025 |work=Region |date=19 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250905102417/https://region.com.au/jo-clay-elected-deputy-leader-of-act-greens/835462/ |archive-date=5 September 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Clay is responsible for the spokesperson portfolios of Planning & Urban Renewal, Environment, Circular Economy & Waste, Arts & the Nighttime Economy, Animal Welfare, Heritage, and Finance.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jo Clay Deputy Leader of the ACT Greens & Member for Ginninderra |url=https://greens.org.au/act/person/jo-clay |website=greens.org.au/act |publisher=ACT Greens |access-date=12 November 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250621224530/https://greens.org.au/act/person/jo-clay |archive-date=21 June 2025}}</ref>

== Key advocacy and achievements ==

=== Climate and environment === Clay has been a tireless advocate for Climate and the Environment. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Twyford |first=Lottie |title=How parenthood led Jo Clay MLA to stop running from climate change and start fighting it |url=https://region.com.au/how-parenthood-led-jo-clay-mla-to-stop-running-from-climate-change-and-start-fighting-it/537471/ |access-date=2026-01-11 |website=Region Canberra |language=en}}</ref>

In 2021 she compelled the ACT Government to sign the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-06-02 |title=ACT endorses fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty |url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7280380/act-endorses-fossil-fuel-non-proliferation-treaty/ |access-date=2026-01-11 |website=www.canberratimes.com.au |language=en-au}}</ref> with all Greens MLAs and Ministers Barr, Berry, Cheyne and Steel from Labor also signing in their own right. Notably, following the 2024 election, new Minister for Climate Change Suzanne Orr did not sign the treaty.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Parliamentarians Call for a Fossil Fuel Free Future {{!}} Join the Movement Today |url=https://www.fossilfuelfreefuture.org/ |access-date=2026-01-11 |website=Parliamentarians Call for a Fossil Fuel Free Future |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Fossil Fuel Ad Ban === In 2024 Clay introduced a bill that would ban fossil fuel companies from advertising in ACT Government owned sports facilities. Senator David Pocock welcomed the bill but Labor refused to support it. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-05 |title='Labor is timid': Greens, Pocock ramp up bid to ban Canberra sport fossil fuel ads |url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8510676/act-greens-jo-clay-david-pocock-keen-to-ban-fossil-fuel-ads/ |access-date=2026-01-11 |website=www.canberratimes.com.au |language=en-au}}</ref>

=== City Limits ===

==== Bluetts Block ==== After years of campaigning by community groups Friends of Bluetts Block and Clay, in 2025 the ACT Government amended the Territory Plan to designate Bluetts Block as a nature reserve.

Clay welcomed this win for the community but wanted to further protect the western edge so brought a motion to the ACT Legislative Assembly, which was passed, calling on the ACT Government to set an urban growth boundary this term of government, setting a hard edge on Canberra’s urban sprawl. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Wensing |first=Dr Ed |date=2025-04-27 |title=Placing a limit on Canberra’s urban sprawl? |url=https://www.planning.org.au/pia/news-resources/articles/latest-updates/act/[canberras%20urban%20sprawl].aspx?name=%5Bcanberras+urban+sprawl%5D |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-10 |website=Planning Institute Australia}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Copland |first=Simon |date=2025-04-16 |title=Big news! The ACT Announces a Hard Edge to Canberra’s Urban Development |url=https://conservationcouncil.org.au/blog/2025/04/16/big-news-the-act-announces-a-hard-edge-to-canberras-urban-development/ |access-date=2026-01-11 |website=Conservation Council ACT Region |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-10 |title=ACT agrees to set hard limit on Canberra's future urban sprawl |url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8939876/act-sets-firm-boundary-on-canberras-urban-sprawl/ |access-date=2026-01-11 |website=www.canberratimes.com.au |language=en-au}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Coleman |first=James |title=Years of campaigning has given the ACT a new nature reserve, but does it go far enough? |url=https://region.com.au/years-of-campaigning-has-given-the-act-a-new-nature-reserve-but-does-it-go-far-enough/846207/ |access-date=2026-01-11 |website=Region Canberra |language=en}}</ref>

==== Dragons ==== Clay has campaigned against developments that push the critically endangered Canberra Grasslands Earless Dragons further towards extinction. The species which is at risk of becoming Australia's first mainland extinction since colonisation. One of Federal Environment Minister Watt’s first actions after being re-elected in 2025 was to approve a road destroying Canberra Grasslands Earless Dragon habitat. The Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment has announced an inquiry into this decision. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Schuster |first=Grit |date=2025-08-07 |title=Australian Labor Government approves northern airport road, destroying vital habitat of Canberra's very own lizard |url=https://conservationcouncil.org.au/blog/2025/08/07/australian-labor-government-approves-northern-airport-road-destroying-vital-habitat-of-canberras-very-own-lizard/ |access-date=2026-01-11 |website=Conservation Council ACT Region |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Coleman |first=James |title=Environmentalists accuse Canberra Airport of sneaking through new road construction |url=https://region.com.au/environmentalists-accuse-canberra-airport-of-sneaking-through-new-road-construction/863668/ |access-date=2026-01-11 |website=Region Canberra |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-05-07 |title=Plan to bring Australia's 'most endangered reptile species' back from the brink |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-08/canberra-earless-grassland-earless-dragon-fight-for-survival/105265240 |access-date=2026-01-11 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-11-19 |title=Independent investigation launched into the future of the Canberra Grassland Earless Dragon {{!}} ACT Greens |url=https://greens.org.au/act/news/media-release/independent-investigation-launched-future-canberra-grassland-earless-dragon |access-date=2026-01-13 |website=greens.org.au |language=en}}</ref>

=== Local issues ===

==== Belco Busway ==== In 2023 Clay worked with Liberal MLA Mark Parton to pass a motion urging the government to undertake a feasibility study to complete the Belconnen transitway. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Fenwicke |first=Claire |title=Long-awaited Belconnen Transitway given three year deadline to become reality |url=https://region.com.au/long-awaited-belconnen-transitway-given-three-year-deadline-to-become-reality/700986/ |access-date=2026-01-11 |website=Region Canberra |language=en}}</ref>

==== Belconnen school ==== Clay has long lobbied the ACT government to commit to building a new school for the rapidly developing Belconnen Town Centre, which is located in her electorate of Ginninderra. <ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Greens Urge Renewed Pledge to Belconnen Town Centre School |url=https://www.miragenews.com/greens-urge-renewed-pledge-to-belconnen-town-1131935/ |access-date=2026-01-11 |website=Mirage News |language=en-AU}}</ref>

In May 2024 she secured tri-partisan commitment to her parliamentary motion for a new primary and secondary school for the Belconnen Town Centre.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-15 |title=GREENS WIN NEW SCHOOL FOR BELCONNEN TOWN CENTRE {{!}} ACT Greens |url=https://greens.org.au/act/news/media-release/greens-win-new-school-belconnen-town-centre |access-date=2026-01-11 |website=greens.org.au |language=en}}</ref> . The ACT Labor Government has yet to deliver the school.

==== Freestanding Birth Centre ==== In 2023 Clay tabled a petition of over 3000 signatures calling for a Freestanding Birth Centre for Canberra and secured government commitment to undertake a feasibility study.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fuller |first=Nicholas |date=2023-02-08 |title=Canberra will have a freestanding birth centre |url=https://canberradaily.com.au/canberra-will-have-a-freestanding-birth-centre/ |access-date=2026-01-11 |website=Canberra Daily |language=en-AU}}</ref> Following the study, it has been announced that there will be an alongside birth centre as part of the new Northside Hospital.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bushnell |first=Ian |title=Government to build standalone birth centre on new Northside Hospital campus |url=https://region.com.au/government-to-build-standalone-birth-centre-on-new-northside-hospital-campus/871323/ |access-date=2026-01-11 |website=Region Canberra |language=en}}</ref>

==== Big Splash ==== In 2024-2025 Clay led a community campaign to save local water park, Big Splash. She sponsored a petition calling on the government to keep the facility open for the summer and guarantee that the zoning would remain recreational.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Coleman |first=James |title='We need something to happen here': Greens push government to bring back Big Splash |url=https://region.com.au/we-need-something-to-happen-here-greens-push-government-to-bring-back-big-splash/842933/ |access-date=2026-01-11 |website=Region Canberra |language=en}}</ref>

In May 2025, Clay moved a private member’s motion which passed unanimously committing the government to not rezone the site and for the site to remain zoned for community recreation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reporters |first=Staff |date=2025-05-12 |title=ACT Greens to government: 'open Big Splash this summer' |url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8965017/act-government-urged-to-save-big-splash-pool/ |access-date=2026-01-11 |website=www.canberratimes.com.au |language=en-au}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=13 May 2025 - Motion on Big Splash |url=https://www.thomasemerson.com/250513vr |access-date=2026-01-11 |website=Thomas Emerson MLA |language=en}}</ref>

== Awards == {{Awards table}} ! Ref |- ! scope="row" | 2008 | rowspan="2" | ''A Single Girl's Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse'' | Hachette Queensland Writers Centre Manuscript Development Award | {{won}} | rowspan="2" | <ref name=awards>{{cite news |last1=Cerabona |first1=Ron |title=Zombie love turns to humour |url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6149928/zombie-love-turns-to-humour/ |access-date=30 November 2025 |work=Canberra Times |date=17 June 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20251130042913/https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6149928/zombie-love-turns-to-humour/ |archive-date=30 November 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" | 2010 | Olvar Wood Fellowship Award | {{won}} |- ! scope="row" | 2019 | rowspan="1" | ''Send and Shred'' | Australian Information Industry Association Merit iAward | {{won}} | <ref name=awards2>{{cite news |last1=Clay |first=Jo | title=AIIA Merit iAward | url=https://sendandshred.com.au/blogs/news/send-and-shred-wins-act-iaward-merit | access-date=13 January 2026 | date=22 May 2019 | url-status=live}}</ref> {{end}}

== Notes == {{notelist}}

== References == {{reflist}}

{{ACTCurrentMLAs|state=expanded}} {{ACT Greens}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Clay, Jo}} Category:1977 births Category:Living people Category:Members of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly Category:21st-century Australian politicians Category:Women members of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly Category:Australian Greens members of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly Category:21st-century Australian women politicians Category:People educated at Radford College Category:Politicians from Canberra