October 2024
Labor wins seventh term in ACT
Chief Minister Andrew Barr won Saturday’s election, despite a swing to the Canberra Liberals and high-profile independents.
- Tom McIlroy
- Opinion
- Canberra Observed
In a sea of volatility, the ACT is Labor’s ‘forever government’
Labor has held power in the territory for 23 years. The Liberals hope that will prove to be enough in this weekend’s election.
- Phillip Coorey
July 2024
Outrage at CFMEU bid to get investigation and prosecution powers
The ACT branch of the embattled construction union is seeking powers to investigate and refer matters to the ACT Director of Public Prosecutions.
- Ronald Mizen
Vic premier to pocket $500,000 as MPs handed 3.5pc pay bump
Jacinta Allan has cemented her spot as the nation’s second highest-paid politician after Victorian MPs were awarded a 3.5 per cent pay rise.
- Callum Godde
June 2024
ACT targets living costs in pre-election budget
Chief Minister Andrew Barr says the economy is slowing and many parts of the community are enduring cost-of-living pain.
- Poppy Johnston
April 2024
States back demands for tax reform review
State and territories have swung their weight behind a Ken Henry-led push to review and overhaul a “mess” of state and federal spending responsibilities
- Samantha Hutchinson, Tom McIlroy, Tom Rabe and Simon Evans
September 2023
Canberra’s next chapter as Boston on the Molonglo
Andrew Barr reckons Canberra’s future is in education and innovation. UNSW has a big role to play in that.
- Julie Hare
August 2023
What were you thinking, Walter Sofronoff?
Why would the former judge provide advance copies of his Lehrmann inquiry report to only two journalists? And a farewell tour, of sorts, for High Court Chief Justice Susan Kiefel. That’s Hearsay.
- Michael Pelly
Sofronoff could face integrity commission probe and charges
An angry ACT Chief Minister, Andrew Barr, on Monday formally released the 839-page inquiry report into the trial of Bruce Lehrmann along with his government’s response.
- Ronald Mizen
May 2023
- Opinion
- Canberra Observed
Victoria has no Kennett and no assets to clean up budget mess
Whether this week’s tax blitz triggers a backlash against Daniel Andrews politically, or shifts the dial for the federal Liberals in a state in which their brand is toxic, and in which they badly need seats, remains to be seen.
- Phillip Coorey
December 2022
ACT considers probe of collapsed Lehrmann trial
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said a wide-ranging, independent probe could be required into the collapsed trial.
- Tom McIlroy
November 2022
Territory euthanasia ban set to be overturned
A rearguard action by conservative Liberals to prevent the ACT and Northern Territory parliaments from considering euthanasia laws has failed in the Senate.
- Tom McIlroy
October 2022
Lift Medicare levy on highest earners: Andrew Barr
The ACT Chief Minister said the federal government could better fund urgent health priorities through a 1 per cent increase on the levy.
- Tom McIlroy
September 2022
- Opinion
- Property market
The property tax debacle unfolding in Canberra
The ACT once looked like a tax trailblazer when it promised to scrap inefficient stamp duties. A decade later it’s a sad example of the inertia around tax reform.
- John Kehoe
August 2022
Labor MP opposed to euthanasia wants to repeal ban in NT and ACT
A private member’s bill introduced on Monday would end the ban on the ACT and Northern Territory passing euthanasia laws.
- Tom McIlroy
July 2022
NSW, Vic might have fewer federal parliamentary seats next election
Australia’s population has more than doubled in 50 years, with new census data showing more than 1 million new residents have arrived in Australia since 2017.
- Tom McIlroy
June 2022
GST fight looms over ‘hopeless’ population counts
The census revealed the ACT is the country’s fastest growing jurisdiction. But Chief Minister Andrew Barr says that shows the territory has been shortchanged.
- Tom McIlroy
February 2022
When you need to wear a COVID-19 face mask in Australia
COVID-19 mask rules are changing significantly. Here’s everything you need to know this weekend.
- Tom McIlroy
December 2021
Here’s how testing and isolating rules have changed in your state
Health restrictions changed across the country on Friday, as premiers responded to national cabinet’s new rules for testing, isolating and close contacts.
- Michael Read
State premiers won’t rule out lockdowns if booster uptake low
Australia’s premiers are yet to clarify how booster shots will fit with COVID-19 vaccine mandates, while leaving lockdowns on the table to curb future outbreaks.
- Finbar O'Mallon