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Views on the news from Canberra’s top columnists

Grattan / What about a Jerusalem consulate as a Morrison escape hatch?

WHEN Scott Morrison parachuted into the prime ministership, he was anxious to remove outstanding barnacles quickly. Now that he’s foolishly created one of his own, he needs to bring a similar sense of urgency to […]

Development scenario for Dickson Parklands.

Costigan / Someone in government step up and say ‘enough’!

“What matters more to Canberra is that we have an honest ACT government that deals with its residents with respect. We haven’t,” writes PAUL COSTIGAN

Letters / Time to get serious about stolen cars

I AM concerned at the apparent complacency shown by our Emergency Services bureaucracy to the dangers of vehicles being stolen and then set alight in remote parking areas such as Paddys River, Point Hut Crossing, […]

Good people / Empathy, loyalty and a kookaburra tray

Another story in our occasional series on good people in our community. Reader ANNE STEARMAN, of Downer, praises an empathetic market stall holder…

Grattan / Shorten would need non-Green crossbench to pass bills in Senate

A LABOR government would likely have to rely on at least one Senate crossbencher besides the Greens to pass contested legislation, according to an analysis from The Australia Institute, a progressive think tank. The analysis, […]

Loneliness is an unloved Airbike on a traffic island on Commonwealth Avenue. Photo by Mike Welsh

Welsh / Braddon traders want a rainbow of roundabouts

Another week in Canberra and another great Seven Days column from MIKE WELSH

The donkeys, Christmas, wise men... there’s a link there, Mr Gentleman. Photo supplied.

Costigan / The minister, the bureaucrats and the donkeys

“It is now common to encounter ACT bureaucrats who work as if the locals are something they have to put up with in their efforts to administer and regulate everything,” bemoans columnist PAUL COSTIGAN

Grattan / Morrison government brings back memories of McMahon days

AS the Morrison government thrashes around trying to stave off defeat or just save the furniture, it reminds one historian of the ill-fated McMahon administration. The run up to the Coalition’s 1972 ousting is detailed […]

Macklin / ‘Four Corners’ falls short of its high standards

“The attempt to throw light on the imbroglio surrounding the sacking of the ABC’s managing director was pathetic – and unworthy of ‘Four Corners’, an investigative flagship program for half a century.,” writes ROBERT MACKLIN

Opinion / Why the ‘need’ to ban smoking in the prison?

“I’d be concerned if a decision to ban tobacco in the AMC has already been made and the only issue of concern to the government and officials is how to prevent detainees from rioting,” says […]

Moore / Why energy policy needs a shock

“Energy prices need a cold, hard look. There are regulators. But there were also banking-industry regulators who have now been exposed as less than useless,” writes MICHAEL MOORE

The empty shopping centre at Coombs… the planning minister can't get the developer to open the shops. Photo by Paul Costigan.

Costigan / What a mess, time for a new planning minister

“This city needs a real-life planning minister who works with the electors to get great results – not one that sits on his hands and watches the city’s amenities being degraded,” writes PAUL COSTIGAN

Stanhope / Major failings mar land agency’s first year

“The Suburban Land Agency does not… hold enough liquid assets to meet all its current liabilities,” writes JON STANHOPE

Letters / No, Cedric, glyphosate is safe

CEDRIC Bryant’s recent letter (CN, October 31) contains a number of factual errors that need to be corrected. Not one country around the world has a ban on the use of glyphosate. Nor is glyphosate […]

Grattan / Morrison Government falls further behind

THE Coalition has taken another knock in Newspoll, now trailing Labor 45-55 per cent on a two-party basis. Scott Morrison’s personal ratings have also worsened, in a poll that comes in the wake of his […]

"Silent soldier" Don Longridge. Photo by Mike Welsh

Welsh / Armistice brings a busy time for a ‘silent soldier’

Armistice bring a busy time for a ‘silent soldier’, says “Seven Days” columnist MIKE WELSH

Grattan / Turnbull tells Liberals to answer that unanswerable question

MALCOLM Turnbull has delivered a hefty blow to the struggling Morrison government by refocusing attention on the one question it has desperately tried to smother. That is: why was he sacked? When he appeared on […]

Grattan / Morrison unveils measures to boost influence in the Pacific

TODAY (November 8) Scott Morrison will announce an extensive suite of military, diplomatic, financial and people-to-people initiatives in a major boost to Australia’s role in the Pacific. They include setting up a $2 billion infrastructure […]

Blackett Street, Downer… the spin has been put in place ready for announcements before the end of the year. Photo by Paul Costigan

Costigan / High-rise development terror looms in Downer

“Given the combined history on Canberra’s development and the lack of empathy on planning matters from the Chief Minister, Planning Minister and the Urban Renewal Minister, things are not looking good for Downer,” writes PAUL […]

Letters / Damage to trees ignored

I STRONGLY endorse the comments of reader Bjorn Moore (“Grumpy”. CN, October 25) about the extent of illegal parking in Canberra. I have contacted several representatives for Ginninderra, including Ministers Ramsay and Berry and all […]

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Navigation

Grattan / What about a Jerusalem consulate as a Morrison escape hatch?

Costigan / Someone in government step up and say ‘enough’!

Letters / Time to get serious about stolen cars

Good people / Empathy, loyalty and a kookaburra tray

Grattan / Shorten would need non-Green crossbench to pass bills in Senate

Welsh / Braddon traders want a rainbow of roundabouts

Costigan / The minister, the bureaucrats and the donkeys

Grattan / Morrison government brings back memories of McMahon days

Macklin / ‘Four Corners’ falls short of its high standards

Opinion / Why the ‘need’ to ban smoking in the prison?

Moore / Why energy policy needs a shock

Costigan / What a mess, time for a new planning minister

Stanhope / Major failings mar land agency’s first year

Letters / No, Cedric, glyphosate is safe

Grattan / Morrison Government falls further behind

Welsh / Armistice brings a busy time for a ‘silent soldier’

Grattan / Turnbull tells Liberals to answer that unanswerable question

Grattan / Morrison unveils measures to boost influence in the Pacific

Costigan / High-rise development terror looms in Downer

Letters / Damage to trees ignored

News

Crash closes Drakeford Drive

Grattan / What about a Jerusalem consulate as a Morrison escape hatch?

Spilt Milk goers ‘outraged’ by US rapper

Hundreds walk for ‘kosci’ repeal

Armed man dashes from club in failed robbery

Columnists

Cedric Bryant

Clare Wolski

Danielle Nohra

Dougal Macdonald

Helen Musa

Ian Meikle