NewsBite

Andrew Barr

February

Bill Shorten, the new vice chancellor of the University of Canberra, with chancellor Lisa Paul during his investure.

‘Just call me Bill’: Shorten brings ‘X factor’ to new job

The former Labor minister was joined by an eclectic crowd at his investiture as University of Canberra vice chancellor.

The ACT government has a budget deficit of nearly $1 billion and is danger of joining Victoria as the country’s most financially struggling jurisdiction.

ACT risks Victoria-style downgrade as deficit blows out to $1b

S&P has told the ACT it must turn its finances around within a year or two, or else it will join Victoria as the lowest-rated Australian government.

October 2024

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr.

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.

ACT Opposition Leader Elizabeth Lee gives the finger to a journalist after a Canberra press conference.

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.

July 2024

Builders must inform union delegates which subcontractors are awarded work as soon as possible.

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. 

Advertisement
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan.

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.

June 2024

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr

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.

April 2024

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has rebuffed calls for a “foundational” review of state-federal spending responsibilities.

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

September 2023

Australian universities are an attractive option for students seeking a safe and healthy environment in which to acquire world-class education and skills for their future.

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.

August 2023

Walter Sofronoff, KC, during the inquiry into the handling of the Lehrmann case.

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.

Walter Sofronoff could face disciplinary action for leaking details to the media.

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.

May 2023

Speculation persists Daniel Andrews will hand over to deputy Jacinta Allan, leaving her to deal with the mess

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.

December 2022

Shane Drumgold.

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.

November 2022

Independent Senator David Pocock has been pushing to overturn a Howard-era ban on euthanasia bills in the NT and ACT.

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.

October 2022

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr has asked the Albanese government for action.

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.

Advertisement

September 2022

A 20-year plan to remove stamp duty in the ACT has hit a roadblock.

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.

August 2022

Labor Member for Solomon Luke Gosling and Labor member for Canberra Alicia Payne  after introducing the Restoring Territory Rights Bill 2022 into the House of Representatives. Photographed Monday 1st August 2022. Photograph by James Brickwood. SMH NEWS 2020801. FEDPOL with Nationals MP Michael McCormack

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.

July 2022

Give yourself the ability to recognise that running consistently — hitting the majority of the mileage, getting mentally tough — will land you in a position to realise your goals.

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.

June 2022

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr.

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.

February 2022

Mask

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.

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/person/andrew-barr-1yg