"Unfortunately, the performances of local federal election candidates have not been individually or collectively too exciting," says PAUL COSTIGAN.
Paul Costigan
Paul Costigan is a commentator on cultural and urban matters. There are more of his columns at citynews.com.au
"Housing ACT's callous evictions are happening during the federal election. The federal ACT Labor and ACT Greens candidates have been silent on this terrible state of affairs," writes "Canberra Matters" columnist PAUL COSTIGAN.
"There’s a growing certainty that Seselja is going to have trouble holding his Senate job. Given the panic in his messages to members it seems that Team Zed knows that maybe time is up for him this time," says columnist PAUL COSTIGAN
"Forget planning – it is all about fiddling with rules to make bad development easier. The government should retitle the ACT Planning Authority as the ACT Development Authority," writes "Canberra Matters" columnist PAUL COSTIGAN.
"Canberra Matters" columnist PAUL COSTIGAN says roadside election signage are an indicator that democracy is at work. Let’s ignore the Greens and be proud of that.
"Another of the residents’ experience has been to observe how compliant the Planning Directorate is to the wishes of YWCA Canberra as a developer chasing yields," writes "Canberra Matters" columnist PAUL COSTIGAN.
"Canberra Matters" columnist PAUL COSTIGAN reports on two presentations to the Woden Valley Community Council – one from the plaza owners and the other by the Hellenic Club. "There was little to get excited about," he says.
"To watch ministers Yvette Berry and Rebecca Vassarotti duck for cover behind meaningless bureaucrat spin is shameful. ACT politicians do not wish to be involved with residents feeling bullied by government processes," writes PAUL COSTIGAN.
"The image of Shane Rattenbury holding up the tram to Woden as being 21st century public transport for Canberra is akin to Scott Morrison holding a lump of coal to represent future energy for Australia," writes PAUL COSTIGAN.
"This government is failing when it comes to enhancing and maintaining the complexities of the tree canopy, the biodiversity and the green infrastructure of this city," says "Canberra Matters" columnist PAUL COSTIGAN.
"ACT ministers take advice from chosen advisers (often recent graduates or party faithful) because these insiders know much more about the world than residents," writes "Canberra Matters" columnist PAUL COSTIGAN.
ACT voters are about to select three lower house and two Senate politicians to represent this territory’s interests nationally. PAUL COSTIGAN makes a call of the card.
