Last year shaped as one of the most challenging in his political career.

He went into 2016 leading a Labor team that appeared on the nose. There were serious doubts about whether he would be returned as chief minister at the October election.

Not only had the Labor government made the unpopular but necessary decision to deal with the Mr Fluffy asbestos legacy, there was controversy aplenty over its handling of several large development projects.

At times, the government had also appeared complacent and hard of hearing over what the community wanted.

There appeared to be strong opposition to the planned light rail the government was determined to deliver and the issue dominated the lead-up to the oft-described "referendum" - or election - on the subject.

The overwhelming and somewhat surprising support for Mr Barr and his team in the late 2016 poll was an endorsement of not only the Labor Party but the light-rail project.

Canberrans scuppered the Canberra Liberals' best chance to form government in recent history and perhaps long into the future.

Voters might have delivered the government a record fifth straight term, but with that support comes high expectations.

There are still clouds hanging over several decisions made by the Chief Minister in recent years, such as his support for the Brumbies' Griffith land deal.

Nonetheless, he and the Labor-Greens government have been given another chance.

The government has already made steps in the right direction to improve the transparency over its decisions but more needs to be done.

The new year should prove an exciting one for the ACT. There are plenty of positives to look forward to.

The expanded Legislative Assembly produced the first female-majority parliament in Australia and the new faces are set to make their mark in 2017.

In his victory speech after the election two months ago, Mr Barr said Canberrans had voted for a positive agenda with a progressive future. It's time to deliver it now.