Marisa fronts the Assembly’s female majority
ANDREW MATHIESON meets Labor's new MLA Marisa Paterson.
Maggot-infested public housing ‘ignored’ by government
An "unlivable" social housing complex in Reid, infested with mould, maggots and dead birds, is being "ignored" by the ACT government, the opposition says.
Government fails own development rhetoric
"The government is a partner in the development while also the agency that approves development applications. How can it do the right thing about design, conservation issues or ensuring the highest 21st century standards," wonders "Canberra Matters" columnist PAUL COSTIGAN.
Power of popping a political toe in the water
“The expected outrage has not occurred. Nor has there been hugely negative media regarding the pill testing and safe-injecting facility," writes political columnist MICHAEL MOORE.
Revamped ‘Fix My Street’ cops criticism
The ACT government's recently launched, re-designed "Fix My Street" website is receiving criticism for not working.
Barr mute as Labor locals speak up for Collaery
"Where, oh where, was Chief Minister Andrew Barr? I have searched the records and can find not a single indication of his support for Bernard Collaery," writes "The Gadfly" columnist ROBERT MACKLIN.
No outcry against Canberra’s shameful ‘obscenity’
"An Aboriginal person in Canberra is 19.4 times more likely to be sent to prison than a non-Aboriginal person. The highest rate ratio in Australia. Without argument, this is more than a disgrace – it is obscene," writes columnist JON STANHOPE.
Submissions highlight overcrowding in schools
Submissions into a school infrastructure inquiry, conducted by the ACT Legislative Assembly, have highlighted over crowding and poor school maintenance is present in ACT schools.
Time to advocate the legalisation of drugs: submission
A Canberran that has been advocating for fair rental tenancy laws has spoken out to decriminalise penalties for committing "simple" drug offences.
Davis delights at being Assembly’s odd man out
ACT Greens MLA Johnathan Davis’ path to politics may not normally lend itself to life in public office and yet, as he describes it: “That’s a good thing”.
‘Dud’ voucher scheme rolls out in full
A discount voucher scheme aimed to encourage local spending is being rolled out in full next month despite its trial being declared a "dud" earlier this year.
Public health workplace recommendations ignored
A majority of the recommendations made by an independent review into the workplace culture of Canberra's public health services have been ignored, said shadow health minister Giulia Jones.
Woden town cramming, can it get any worse?
Woden town cramming; columnist PAUL COSTIGAN asks, can it get any worse?
Belco Party plans to keep more bastards honest
UNDETERRED by the party’s less-than-spectacular result at October's territory election, in which it failed to get a single candidate elected, the Belco Party is heading east and south with new branches.
Can the Libs shake off the conservative tag?
"Liberal leader Elizabeth Lee has taken action not only to protect people when they are at their most vulnerable, but to also let the community know that the Liberal Party is ready to move on true liberal issues," writes MICHAEL MOORE.
Hypocrisy trumps rights in territories’ struggle
"It is not just absurd but wrong that the residents of Australian territories do not have the same democratic right as those of states to decide whether euthanasia should be legally available," writes JON STANHOPE.
Finally, injecting some sense into drug policy
“We will never know how many lives have been lost through the lack of a supervised injecting facility. However, there is now an opportunity to proceed," writes political columnist MICHAEL MOORE.
Flawed hospital plan mired in government spin
"When asked about ambulances being put on to small suburban streets with the local school being right there, the response was all about how wonderful the ambulance drivers are – and how they are well trained," writes "Canberra Matters" columnist PAUL COSTIGAN.
Time for leadership in landscape design
"The need for design leadership in urban matters needs to be treated seriously to allow Canberra to regain some credibility in landscape design – what the place used to be about," writes "Canberra Matters" columnist PAUL COSTIGAN.
The night government demolished housing hopes
"As a Labor supporter for more than 50 years, I think the policies being pursued by the ACT government in health and housing are contrary to core Labor values," writes former chief minister JON STANHOPE.
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Biloela family moved to community detention in Perth
UPDATE: Immigration Minister Alex Hawke has released the Biloela family from incarceration on Christmas Island but confined them to community detention in Perth while their court action proceeds.
