Labor flags as wild cards make a
THE wild cards in the ACT election are Labor’s ability to mount an extraordinarily effective last-minute campaign and the unknown impact of minor parties such as the Greens, Canberra Progressives, Liberal Democrats and the Belco Party.
Disenchantment with the incumbent parties, and particularly the leaders of the major parties, provides an opportunity for the minors in this election.
Of all the minor parties, there are a few groups that stand out with extensive policies, prominent candidates and strong campaigning. The Canberra Progressives, the Greens and the Belco Party stand out most strongly. But there are others.
A strong crossbench capable of holding the ACT government to account has been missing for a couple of decades.
The Canberra Progressives have fielded candidates in three electorates. They have an extensive set of policies and a committed range of candidates.
Tim Böhm in Kurrajong is an experi-
Has the same complacency that has plagued Labor in government followed them into the election campaign? It seems to me that this time around the Labor campaign lacks drive. There is a sense below all the hype that they have almost given up.
enced candidate having run with the Fast Train for Canberra Party in a previous election. He has a considerable social media presence. All of the Progressives’ candidates “hope that ACT politics can be improved”. As an example, Tim wants a Canberra with “a world-class health and education system, and a future where my kids and everyone’s kids have a bright, clean and healthy environment”. He also hopes to “make the first steps in breaking the unfair cycle that the major parties have on the local and federal political system”.
Canberra Progressives’ leader
Robert Knight , in Murrumbidgee, deserves credit for pulling together such a formidable group of people and getting agreement on a credible set of policies. He explains his reason for engaging in politics because of “growing inequality, particularly when it
comes to housing affordability and the cost of living”.
Bethany Williams another interesting candidate for the Progressives. Bethany has an amaz ing 13,000 followers on Twitter with a handle “Don’t get mad. Get elected”.
Although many followers are outside of her electorate, there is an indication of strong commu nity engagement as a worthwhile candidate. If Bethany and Pollard Independents can get their voters to cross-preference, chances are improved for at least one of them being elected.
Individuals are important under the Hare-Clark electoral system. Dr Julie Smith, for example, is running with the Animal Justice Party. She is an ANU economist who has been prominent in academia and media as an advocate in such areas as vulnerable populations and women’s rights. Her expertise includes public economics, health and community care as well as taxation and revenue. The party might be based on a single issue, but such
door-to-door campaign mounted by the Labor Party.
It seems to me that this time around the Labor campaign lacks the same drive. There is a sense below all the hype that they have almost given up.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr acknowledged the possibility of Labor losing government. He told “CityNews” reporter Belinda Strahorn that he would not remain in the Legislative Assembly if Labor was not returned to government. Has the same complacency that has plagued
Labor in government followed them into the election campaign?
Campaigning has changed. COVID-19 has changed the landscape dominating the news and largely restricting door knocking.
Even if Labor mounted a similar campaign to the last election – it would be too late. Rather than wait until polling day, many voters have followed the Elections ACT recommendations and have already cast their ballot.
Indications do favour the major parties in a closely tied contest. However, there is still a possibility that voters will want to see a much more accountable government, independent of whoever takes power.
Michael Moore is a former member of the ACT Legislative Assembly and an independent minister for health. He has been a political columnist with “CityNews” since 2006.
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It’s that time for dirty tricks and shady tactics
READING “The irony of seeing corflutes from Labor candidates planted amongst the long weeds at the side of roads is lost on them,” was the boom! moment when I was editing a piece by our political reporter
Belle Strahorn
She had randomly collected six people around the city in recent weeks and asked how they were going to vote at the ACT poll and why. And they all know who and they can easily articulate why.
The vox pop isn’t science, more a fingerto-the-wind insight on how some people are feeling.
But it was Belco Party voter Simon Chapple’s droll observation on the corflutes amid the weeds that particularly got me thinking.
It is election folklore that at the last territory election in 2016 Labor and the unions mounted a mighty phone and doorknocking assault on the electorate in the final fortnight of the campaign and dragged four more years from
Labor’s mischievous letterbox flyer… its source could appear confusing to a householder given the use of typography similar to the Canberra Liberals’ logo.
the jaws of defeat right under the nose of the Libs and then-leader Jeremy Hanson, who looked confident of ending Labor’s then 15 years in government.
So, for the past couple of weeks I’ve been wondering if there were any dirty tricks or shady campaign tactics afoot in these final days. I know of one that has outraged me, which I will get to further on, but the shiftiest that I’ve seen has come from Labor.
The party has distributed, at least in the north of the city, a negative letterbox flyer that characterises Liberal leader Alistair Coe as an L-plater failing the “license” (sic) application to govern Canberra. It comes with no obvious Labor livery and its source could appear confusing to a householder given the use of typography similar to the Canberra Liberals’ logo.
Labor campaign director Melissa James’ statutory authorisation was described as “mi -
croscopic” by one irritated, “not-impressed” inner-north reader. And she’s right.
Another reader, Martin Gordon, of Dunlop, writes in this week’s letters column that “the underlying message in the flyer in Labor mythology is that only the Labor Party knows what is best for you. The reminder that they are progressive (ie the red flyer in the letterbox recently) seems to have flopped.
“Andrew Barr is unpopular, Alistair Coe is of a lower profile but that is not a disqualification. History is full of new leaders proving their opponents wrong. Many prove to be perfectly competent, and sometimes particularly good.
“The Labor (and Green) dominance is under threat, not only from the Liberals but from the people.”
Political columnist and former independent health minister Michael Moore made an interesting point to me on radio (“CityNews Sunday Roast”, 2CC, 9am-noon) the other day that being in opposition prepares parties for government. With 19 years in opposition, one could argue the Liberals are more than qualified with endless challenges of the
unwelcome text from unknown Baz the volunteer.
She got an unsolicited text message from someone called Baz on 0451 562905. He identifies himself as a volunteer, though not of what (presumably for prolonging the political fortunes of incumbent and continuing candidate Mick Gentleman).
Amy’s never heard of Baz and she can’t imagine that Minister Mick was really, truly reaching out to her for anything other than a cynical misuse of his office for political advantage via an unvetted volunteer!
She was upset that her privacy was invaded and Baz (and Mick) knew her name, that she lives in Brindabella and that they have her mobile number. How?
Then the same thing happened to me and, like Amy, I’m angry about it.
This time it was Murrumbidgee’s queen of Canberra’s crimpers and MLA Bec Cody texting me with an “**IMPORTANT**” message (not).
“Hi Ian, I’m Bec Cody, your local Labor member. Just letting you know that Pre-Poll is now open at Cooleman Court and Woden Town Centre! If you’d like more information on How to Vote please get back in touch!”
So I did get back in touch because, apart from being affronted by her redundant use of exclamation marks, I have an unidentified number and asked: “How did you get my phone number and name?”
Needless to say there has been no response from Bec on 0480 019270
But it does raise the point; how did these ratbags, both government members, get people’s names and mobile phone numbers and won’t tell us how. That’s it; I’m counting the sleeps.
Ian Meikle is the editor of “CityNews” and can be heard every week on 2CC’s “CityNews Sunday Roast”, 9am-noon. This weekend’s program will review the aftermath of the ACT election.
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‘Rat’s arse’ campaign grinds to a merciful close ELECTION 2020 / are we there yet?
CANBERRANS will decide who governs the Territory for the next four years on Saturday (October 17).
Labor leader Andrew Barr and Canberra Liberals’ leader Alistair Coe, along with all the other candidates, can see the finish line as the parties make last-minute appeals for support.
This election has been far from dazzling. The leader’s debate, usually a meaty affair, was pretty tame.
Despite bordering on tedium, the major parties have run relatively well managed campaigns despite COVID-19 bringing many challenges to the campaign trail.
This election is unique in that up to 80 per cent of voters are expected to have voted before election day. This means the parties are appealing to a smaller number of voters in the final week of the campaign than in previous times.
While the major parties have managed to dodge major gaffes of late, there were a few clangers early on. Canberra Liberal candidate Peter McKay was asked to resign over racial and homophobic comments he made to a federal enquiry in 2018, while another Liberal candidate, Vijay Dubey, was dumped following a spat within the party over campaign
Political reporter BELINDA STRAHORN looks at the election campaign that was… warts, promises and all.
resources, with Dubey defecting to the Belco Party.
While unplanned departures of endorsed candidates dogged the Liberals, it was perhaps the swipe by the Labor leader at one his predecessors that was the talk of the campaign.
In what was arguably the best one-liner of the season, Andrew Barr said: “That’s not something I give a rat’s arse about, frankly”. He was, of course, referring to former Labor chief minister Jon Stanhope’s commitment to chair a Canberra Liberals’ promised poverty taskforce and whether his decision to consort with the enemy would jeopardise Stanhope’s life membership with the Labor Party. Finally, something grunt-worthy in an otherwise ho-hum campaign.
If watching your lips during an election campaign is a golden rule, then what you put on your office wall is another, as ACT Labor candidate Maddy Northam found out.
The candidate for Kurrajong was photographed in her campaign office in front of a small hammer and sickle picture, a symbol of the Soviet regime. The photo drew criticism from the Canberra Liberals who described the symbol as deeply
offensive. Northam, also president of UnionsACT, dismissed the criticism as a political smear.
Meantime, Labor candidate Dr Brendan Long, who’s no stranger to breaking ranks with his party, landed himself in hot water with Labor heavies over comments he made about increasing Catholic school funding, chaplain programs and euthanasia.
While Labor and the Liberals dodged a few bullets here and there, the Greens, minor parties and independents came off relatively unscathed.
While Labor’s campaign battleground was fought over education, health and jobs, the Liberals targeted the hip pocket, designed to attract support with lower taxes and more financial incentives to work, live and invest in the ACT. The party had a “cost-of-living” campaign message they didn’t stray far from.
While this was to be an election fought on rates, buses, the tram, the hospital and climate, the covid pandemic brought a whole new factor to the campaign front.
Most other health policy issues were drowned out by the urgency of dealing with the COVID-19 crisis, but
important things such as the hospital upgrade had been pushed further back. Voters shouldn’t let Labor or the Liberals off the hook on this, Canberra desperately needs a hospital upgrade and shouldn’t be forced to wait an eternity for it.
It wouldn’t have been an ACT election without some further announcement being made about the extension of the tram to Woden and the political posturing by both parties around the issue.
Early in the campaign, Labor ceded the high moral ground to its Liberal opponents, in the aftermath of its controversial North Curtin horse paddocks land swap deal with the NCA, gifting the Liberals the perception of greater planning transparency than they might otherwise have enjoyed, and left Labor’s reputation in planning matters in tatters.
The rates issue also bit hard. After rates tripled under Labor, the Liberal Party pledged to freeze residential rate rises for four years, then went on to promise a hold on commercial rates, too.
Soon after Barr announced his own rates freeze as part of the COVID-19 recovery plan, with Coe labelling the move “cynical”, suggesting it was an admission to an unfair rates regime.
While the leaders traded blows over rates, Labor promised to build new schools and upgrade existing ones.
The Liberals also pledged money for school maintenance upgrades, a commitment that came after unsafe levels of lead were found in 11 classrooms at Yarralumla Primary School. They’ll also fund a teacher librarian in every school and roll out flashing lights at all school crossings.
While Labor has enjoyed advantages of incumbency, the Liberals have struggled at times to define an ideology from Opposition. It’s wrestled with notions of liberalism and economic conservatism, but it’s still unclear what sort of government Coe would lead beyond the fact it would be economically responsible, champion lower taxes and attract more people to settle in the ACT.
Coe’s conservatism is a two-edged sword, it can discredit him in the eyes of voters but could also work in his favour because it will bolster his economic credentials as an alternate leader.
Despite all the political posturing, this election outcome could be anything but straightforward. Should Labor be deprived of a working majority with the Greens, it could fall to an independent or minor party member of the ACT Assembly to play kingmaker and install the first Liberal government in almost 20 years. Whichever way the numbers fall on election night, it’s likely to be a close run for both sides.
STATE SECRETS / ACT government brings in the lawyers
Hospital secrets hidden from election spotlight
ON August 12 I wrote in “CityNews” about the severe shortage of public hospital beds in Canberra and the impact this is having on residents, in the main from low-income households.
The implications of an underfunded public-health system have in the interim been dramatically illustrated by the revelation that thousands of Canberra children are waiting for up to four years for an appointment with a specialist at the Canberra Hospital, let alone treatment.
I have also previously referred to the experience of Aboriginal work colleagues at Winnunga Nimmitytjah who, unable to afford private health insurance, have waited up to four years for surgery for debilitating medical conditions or otherwise been forced to raid their superannuation to pay for surgery for either themselves or their children.
You may recall that in the article I mentioned above, I made reference to the detailed planning undertaken in 2008/9 under the leadership of thenMinister for Health Katy Gallagher to future-proof the ACT health system and so ensure it met the needs of a growing and ageing community.
That planning resulted in the development of an exhaustive ACT Health Capital Asset Development Plan (CADP) and was backed by a funding commitment of $1 billion with an initial allocation of $300
I was more than a little surprised that all of the information of substance, including in particular the construction timeframes for the major components of the master plan for the 2008 Canberra Hospital campus redevelopment, had been deleted.
million in the 2008/9 Budget.
In essence, the CADP involved, among other things, the complete redevelopment of the Canberra Hospital precinct. A master plan, involving extensive clinical and community consultation, was prepared.
The centrepiece of the plan was to be the construction of a replacement for the main building/tower and the provision of an additional 400 public hospital beds by 2022.
However, it is clear following the departure of Katy Gallagher in 2014 that the new leadership team of Andrew Barr and Shane Rattenbury abandoned the commitment to the CADP and funding for additional public hospital beds.
My colleague Dr Khalid Ahmed and I have determined that at that time the ACT government also instituted an annual cut, in real terms, to the overall health budget of in the order of $100 million. Our analysis in support of this finding is contained in articles we have posted to the Policy Space blog of the University of Canberra.
My interest was obviously piqued by the decision to abandon the CADP and I lodged, on June 11, an FOI request for a copy of the plan.
In response to my request, I was advised by the relevant ACT Health FOI officer that the CADP was comprised of 11,000 pages and I was asked if I would refine my request, in the first instance, to a copy of the CADP table of contents and the executive summary, which I was advised, constituted only 30 pages.
The cover of the abandoned 20082022 plan for the ACT hospitals.
As an aside, the fact that the CADP is 11,000 pages is an indication of the effort and thoroughness involved in its development.
Not wishing to be unreasonable or thought to be churlish, I willingly agreed to limit the request, as proposed by the FOI officer, to just the first 30 of the 11,000 pages.
I was, therefore, as I am sure you would understand, more than a little surprised when, on receipt of the table of contents and the executive
summary that all of the information of substance, including in particular the construction timeframes for the major components of the master plan for the Canberra Hospital campus redevelopment, had been deleted.
The master plan has been published by the ACT government in a document titled “Your Health – Our Priority. Ready for the Future”.
Struggling to understand why, if the proposed master plan is publicly available, that I was denied access to the construction timeframe incorporated in the CADP for the completion of the distinct elements of the plan, I asked the ombudsman to review the decision of the ACT government to keep the timetable secret.
The ombudsman, after an
exhaustive examination of the issues, advised both myself and the government that he believed that the documents, the subject of the FOI request including the construction timeframe, should be released in full. However, the ACT government has advised the ombudsman that it has sought legal advice on his decision with a view, presumably, of instituting legal action designed to overturn the ombudsman’s decision and so keep the construction timeframe of the ACT Health CADP, which was long ago abandoned by the ALP and the Greens, a state secret, at least until after the impending election. I wonder which part of the abandoned CADP it is that Andrew and Shane don’t want us to know about?
Jon Stanhope was chief minister from 2001 to 2011 and represented Ginninderra for the Labor Party from 1998. He is the only chief minister to have governed with a majority in the Assembly.
Ashilpa
Unsure who to vote for? Not these six Canberrans
By political reporter BELINDA STRAHORN
ARE we there yet? After a season of cold calling, letterboxes stuffed with flyers and endless political ads, the big day is almost here.
Canberrans will go to the polls on Saturday (October 17), in another ACT Assembly election to decide who will govern the territory for the next four years.
Of course pre-poll voting centres have been open across the territory for almost three weeks, with as many as 80 per cent of all votes expected to be cast before Saturday.
Tipped a close race, the two major parties are pretty much neck-toneck, but there are still many voters wondering which way they should go. Here, six Canberrans share who they’ll be voting for.
illuminating. The cost of Labor’s marriage to the Greens is appalling – $1.3 billion for the light rail to Gungahlin and at least $2 billion for the exten sion to Woden. The prospect of the high-rise ruin of Adelaide Avenue and Yarra Glen to pay for it is sickening. The prison, the most expensive per capita facility in Australia, with skyrocketing indigenous incarcera tion and almost the only smoking jail left in Australia. Reports of violent biker criminal behaviour reported in the media is almost an everyday occurrence. But the greatest shame of all was and is the deferral of the building of the new hospital to make way for the tram projects. This is an appalling display of misplaced com munity values. So just on track record alone, I am voting to give the other side, the Liberals, a go. They have not got the baggage, and they certainly won’t have the Greens.
Canberra’s town centres and suburbs over the last decade. Huge and ugly monoliths blocking and spoiling our bush-capital views.
some of the constraints that the major parties face.
I’m a student studying primary school
system. For me, education, healthcare
This time I’m voting major parties are all trying to outbid each other, cynically anything you can promise I can promise better. But looking at their track record is very
Labor candidates planted amongst the long weeds at the side of roads is lost on them. Last time I voted specifically for Tara Cheyne. She was fresh, full of energy, and was keen as mustard but I feel that her ambitions for Belconnen have had to take second place to the political imperatives that come with being part of the Labor party machine. That’s why I’ll be voting for the Belco Party in this election, as a minor party they are free from
There is also a lot of misinformation out there around election time and sometimes it’s hard to work out who to vote for, but this time I’ll give Labor
the Liberals are doing some really great things at the moment in the non-government school space. Cost of living is 100 per cent a big issue for me. I still live at home, house prices are going through the roof in the ACT, it’s ridiculous how long you have to save up for to break into the housing market, it’s just really hard for young people like me to buy a house.
KATELYN KOZJAK
Probably the because that’s how my family votes. I also think
are doing as a party especially their ideas around education, health and small business. The other parties haven’t put forward anything that will sway my vote so far. I’ve lived in Canberra for 20 years, I love the community-like feel of the place and everyone is so friendly. The tram is okay, I don’t use it as I like to drive. The only thing that is not so great is how expensive it is to pay for parking in the city.
Full election coverage at citynews.com.au
JOHN RIDLEY
CANBERRA MATTERS / West Basin
Why wonderful West Basin’s
THIS piece is addressed to ACT Greens’ members who remember what the Greens used to value, Labor members who recall when Labor used to stand with residents against barbaric developers and corrupted governments, those Liberals who want to honour Prime Minister Menzies’ achievements when he fought the bureaucracy to establish Lake Burley Griffin and, lastly, those who wonder why West Basin is worth fighting for.
Visit West Basin on the weekend (easier parking) and meander west till you get close to the National Museum end, then turn around and wander back. Admire the trees, the open spaces, listen to the animals in the reeds, take in the views, watch the bird life and the ducks and swans and enjoy the ambience of a significant green, open space.
The parklands are not maintained. Those responsible for this neglect now have the audacity to portray this valuable green heritage
By trashing West Basin, the Labor/Greens government is considering the benefits for the developer lobby, not the benefits of climate change; open, green parkland; biodiversity and a peaceful lakeside haven.
asset as something requiring development to make it vibrant and activated.
Only urban-development bureaucrats could use such weird and twisted logic.
The Greens have joined with Labor and the NCA to see established trees bulldozed and biodiversity disrupted.
Bush Capital be damned! And the Greens still claim to care for trees and biodiversity. Does anyone believe them?
I do not have enough space to quote all the misinformation used by the bureaucrats who churn out the spin about West Basin. The serious worry is our elected politicians fall in line with the bureaucratic rubbish and treat their prepared statements and talking points as having legitimacy.
Here are some of the words of the City Renewal Authority’s chief about the destruction of West Basin:
• “This would have to be one of the most consulted projects in the history of Canberra.”
• “I understand people have strong
views about it and that’s why when you seek to change or make a city better there will be those people that have a view that it should remain the same.”
• “We need to interconnect the city centre back to the lake which is our best asset as a city, and we think this is a project that all Canberrans will embrace.”
• “I understand why people may be confronted by change but this is change that will result in significant benefits for future generations of Canberrans.”
Most of this is, at best, misleading and arrogant. This government’s consultation processes are based on not-negotiable decisions. People are then allowed to make comments –with little expectations of changes.
West Basin is overdue for the lighttouch design approach – not destroyed to become hard-surfaced plazas with residential towers.
The placement of Civic away from the foreshores remains a historic planning mistake. It will probably never be joined to the lake. But it does not follow that a new suburb needs to
wander
This is a project being pushed so that bureaucrats can do a version of what innovative designers did for South Bank Brisbane – which was great for Brisbane, but unsuitable for this location.
By trashing West Basin, the Labor/ Greens government is considering the benefits for the developer lobby, not the benefits of climate change; open, green parkland; biodiversity and a peaceful lakeside haven. The West Basin parklands, with well-maintained biodiversity and old-growth trees, could be of real benefit for future generations.
Unless there is recognition by the next ACT government that a serious culture change is required within planning and urban development, future ACT politicians will continue to be led by the nose to sign
bureaucrats skilled at gaming their not-so-bright ministers.
West Basin development has been the outcome of such a bureaucratic planning disaster. Will Greens’ leader Shane Rattenbury cut the ribbon and pop the champagne as the old-growth trees are felled?
The memberships of the political parties need to awake from their naive slumber and insist that the City Renewal Authority’s plunder of West Basin stop and that the lakeside parklands remain (in an enhanced form) as part of the city’s heritage and its future.
Paul Costigan is an independent commentator and consultant on the visual arts, photography, urban design, environmental issues and everyday matters.
THE GADFLY / climate change
How politicians have deserted climate change
THE Morrison Government’s decision to use funding designed for renewables in its “gas-led economic recovery” was the last straw. Our federal politicians, from both sides of the aisle, have betrayed us.
In the most critical threat we have ever confronted – climate change – they have thrown down their weapons and run from the battlefield. Collectively and individually, they have deserted in the face of the enemy.
“New York Times” columnist Tom Friedman has used a different but equally apt analogy: “Your child is sick with a disease,” he writes, “and you decided to take her to 100 different doctors to get multiple opinions. Ninety-nine doctors give you the same diagnosis and prescribed treatment; one tells you that there’s nothing to worry about. What parents in their right minds would follow the
In the most critical threat we have ever confronted – climate change – our federal politicians have thrown down their weapons and run from the battlefield.
advice of the doctor with the one-outof-100 diagnosis?”
Either way, be it Trump and the Republicans or Morrison and the coalition, the failure to act rationally to oppose the disaster bearing down on all our lives is not just unacceptable, it is a profound dereliction of duty. It gets worse. Australia’s loyal Opposition is unable or unwilling to either take up the discarded weapons or accept and pursue the diagnosis and treatment of the 99 doctors. As a group they’re utterly ineffectual. Their leader, “Albo” Albanese has been in the Parliament so long that his attitudes have become hostage to his professional pollsters. These soulless technocrats are dazzled by minutiae, adjusting and adapting
dose of dorin
their message to ever diminishing groupings.
So Albanese is afraid to confront Joel Fitzgibbon in his Hunter Valley seat and two or three Queenslanders from coal country. The result is a fanciful commitment to carbon neutrality in 2050 without the most rudimentary “roadmap” to reach it.
The idea that a party needs only to identify a life and death issue such
as climate change, do the hard yards to create the way through it, then trumpet the story from the rooftops is beyond their comprehension.
Yet the truth is that if the cause is powerful enough an electorate really can be galvanised to deliver a landslide victory. If Fitzgibbon is lost in the avalanche, too bad; there’ll be half a dozen new Labor MPs to replace him.
And just when the Greens might carry the banner high, they’re so entangled in internal squabbles and mutual bitchery that their message is lost in transmission. Once again, they have failed their countrymen, just as they did when they voted against Rudd’s cap-and-trade scheme in 2009.
So, where to from here?
It would be great if somehow we were able to co-opt a leader who could bring together the “Thoughtful Centre” like the wonderful Birgitte Nyborg in that great Danish political drama series “Borgen”. I could think of half a dozen Australian women who could lead the march, two of whom are already in the Parliament – Helen Haines and Zali Steggall.
But as yet neither singly nor together have they set out to bring other candidates into their campaign. And until then they, like the rest of us, will be frustrated and alienated by a system dominated by fossil fuel lobbyists and prancing political eunuchs.
So, what’s left? Since the parliamentarians have shunned and deserted us, maybe we should respond in kind. Just imagine if on election day we simply withheld our votes from all of them and wrote “Climate Change” on our ballot papers. Would they listen then?
robert@robertmacklin.com
At 4pm every weekday to your computer, tablet or phone, the daily digest of the day’s news. Wednesday morning the digital, interactive edition of that week’s “CityNews” magazine. As it happens… every story, every day as news breaks to your computer, tablet or phone. News, views, arts and gardening plus new crosswords and suduko puzzles every day.
LETTERS
Canberra can survive a change of government
“CITYNEWS” is right to zero in on the ALP’s negative flyer in the electorate of Yerrabi (citynews.com.au, October 3).
Negative advertising works, because it plays to well established prejudices.
Notwithstanding as Malcolm Mackerras pointed out years back that the ACT is a lop-sided jurisdiction, it is perfectly normal in a democracy to change the management occasionally.
It’s like the shareholders wanting to go in a different direction, get rid of the old grey men who have been there forever. Barr was a staffer before being an MLA and a true illustration of a functionary (aka apparatchik).
The underlying message in the flyer in Labor mythology is that only the Labor Party knows what is best for you. The reminder that they are progressive (ie the red flyer in the letterbox recently) seems to have flopped.
The flurry of new promises does not entirely conceal the non-delivery of many earlier promises and the poor performance of their management. Oddly, given the financial mess of the ACT, I am bemused by the lack of questioning of Labor promises, their cost and their sudden urgency (elections can do that!).
Andrew Barr is unpopular, Alistair Coe is of a lower profile but that is not a disqualification. History is full of new leaders proving their opponents wrong. Many prove to be perfectly competent, and sometimes particularly good.
The Labor Yerrabi flyer will sway some wavers back to their column, but it will also highlight to many others that they should change things as they will interpret it as a
sign of arrogance.
The Labor (and Green) dominance is under threat, not only from the Liberals but from the people.
Remember them; that’s the reason we have a democracy so the people’s interests are served, not those of parties let alone their transitory leaders, ministers and staff.
To end, there is no shortage of metaphors, it’s time, time’s up, not yet, mean and tricky, desperate. An analogy with another leader, none are indispensable and one day Russia will be free of Vladamir Putin, no matter whether it is death or political death, he will be gone. Russia will move on. So, too, Canberra can survive a change of government.
Martin Gordon, Dunlop
Dickson ‘placemaking’ fails the community
CEO Malcolm Snow’s latest gung-ho pronouncements on Civic (“How many times can Civic’s pavements be replaced?” by Paul Costigan, citynews.com.au, October 3) also deflect attention away from the fact that glossy City Renewal Authority charters on “placemaking” have so far failed to deliver any quality public space and amenity improvements across the whole Dickson Group Centre, whose overdue renewal is also a key part of CRA’s remit.
The three-year old Dickson Interchange still lacks a public toilet and the vast group centre area has become a far less attractive, interesting and people-friendly destination
since the last election.
It requires more than the basic infrastructure and connectivity upgrades that the CRA’s recently announced $5m spend on the area around Woolley Street is likely to deliver. Businesses are leaving the Dickson shopping area, which has become far less diversified and appealing over the years. A new CRA-sponsored mural or two makes no real difference.
As October 17 approaches, many have been left wondering what state the whole Dickson Group Centre will be in by October, 2024.
In addition, moving to and around Civic, Braddon or Dickson in the way Malcom Snow wants, is hardly helped by long-suffering local bus users across Canberra who will still face limited, two-hourly services for most of Saturday and all of Sunday after October 10, including evenings. Retention of hourly services on week nights also will not facilitate participation by all age groups in hospitality, cultural and other safe socialising activities that our town and group centres now wish to reboot.
Sue Dyer, Downer
The ‘all-about-me’ generation
IF Australia is to become less reliant on other countries, it should not be lagging behind countries such as China in education results. Although, admittedly mostly funded by taxpayers rather than by entrepreneurship,
the ACT has 1½ times the average income of other states and should be ahead of other states/territories in education results, but it isn’t.
Increasingly, more schooling time is spent on self development, environmental issues, political correctness and personal rights with less time spent on basic learning.
Our children have become an “all-aboutme” generation that would rather spend time protesting than going out and picking fruit in order to earn a buck and help get our economy back on its feet.
Instead of giving already affluent people money towards electric cars etcetera, spend it on quality teacher training and better wages to encourage more teachers who know how to get results.
Don’t leave it to Canberra Grammar to get top results!
Rewa Bate, Coombs
Canberra not good enough for Barr?
SO, if Chief Minister Andrew Barr loses the election he will leave town (“We win, I’m in; we lose, I’m gone”, CN, October 1). What?
Canberra not good enough for him? You created the dreadful, unsightly mess, ran up over $7.7 billion debt, now you say that it’s not good enough for you to live in if you lose. I wonder why?
But then again, Andrew, why wait till the election?
Paul Crowhurst, Hawker
Grateful support for walk-in clinics
WHILE I think that our local government needs changing, I heard a member of the most militant union we have in this country (the Australian Medical Association) hoping for a change so that the walk-in clinics will be abolished.
Any one that has used the service and is grateful to it will stick with the government.
Ben Gershon, via email
Thumbs up for election coverage
I WANTED to say a huge thank you to Ian Meikle and the rest of the team at “CityNews” for their fantastic coverage of the upcoming ACT election.
I have been thoroughly impressed by how “CityNews” has explained how to vote in our electoral system, provided a platform for a whole range of candidates, and let the policies of the major parties lead the discussion on who to vote for. A big thumbs up from me!
Siobhan Williams, via email
Wake up, it’s a hydrogen future
MINISTERS Steel and Rattenbury have announced purchasing a fleet of electric buses to change from diesel when (and a big “if”) re-elected.
It would appear they have not caught up with worldwide technology on fuel for cars, buses and heavy transport; electric for low emissions is on the way out, hydrogen with zero pollution is on the way in.
The only emissions from hydrogen fuel are about a litre of clean water after a full day’s running.
So which countries are switching to hydrogen power?
A few examples, London Transport, according to reports, are expected to have all their buses running on hydrogen by 2021.
The Bamford Bus Company, Britain’s only builder of buses, will have four hydrogen plants producing hydrogen from water by 2025 with a target of more than 3000 hydrogen-fuelled buses on the road in Britain by 2024. Just these vehicles alone, with only the release of water vapour, will save an estimated 280,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year. This equates to taking about 107,000 cars off the road each year!
Scania trucks, Volvo and Daimler have all announced production of hydrogen engines. All three Scandinavian countries already have hydrogen-powered buses and trucks on the road as also do France, Germany and Holland.
Toyota and Hyundai already have hydrogen buses on the road. Before spending ratepayers’ money on a fleet of electric buses, it’s time the government caught up with modern technology. All the information is readily available.
Cedric Bryant, Watson
The blessing in disguise
IT’S depressing that both the Liberals and Labor plan to increase Canberra’s population.
Australia’s current population “slump” is actually a blessing in disguise. Post COVID-19 it will provide: more jobs for Australia’s unemployed – who can be upskilled if necessary; the prospect of higher wages; less human crowding, with better housing availability and reduced commuting times; better access to support facilities in general, and; an improvement in our overall quality of life.
Another big plus will be less degradation of the environment.
All of the above would be undermined by increasing Australia’s migrant intakes and expanding Canberra’s population. The main winners from population growth are developers and those who benefit from promoting the magic pudding of unsustainable never-ending economic growth.
David Attenborough’s “A Life on our Planet” should be compulsory viewing for all of Canberra’s newly elected MLAs.
Clive Williams, Forrest
More drug tragedies ahead
OVER the past 40 years politicians of all parties in Canberra have helped, either by action or inaction, to prevent the introduction of a drug policy that aims primarily to get our kids drug-free instead of doing little to stop them from becoming dependent/addicted, either to methadone or illicit drugs.
Almost immediately the coronavirus became known, all world medical authorities demanded immediate research for a vaccine to cure it. Currently there are 20 plus such research centres.
The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre has estimated there were 1795 drug-induced deaths among Australians in 2017. Coronavirus deaths in Australia at about 875 are half the drug deaths of 2017. However, there is not one designated Commonwealth/state-funded rehabilitation clinic dedicated by charter specifically to achieving drug-free lives for those addicted.
Penington Institute CEO John Ryan has commented: “Unintentional deaths where stimulants were detected have almost tripled in the ACT in the last decade, and they’ve almost tripled nationally in the last five years alone. That points to a problem that we’re just not getting to grips with. It’s time to call this what it is: Australia’s very own overdose crisis. The ACT is no exception.”
So, as long as all our ACT politicians remain paralysed in the face of the disaster that is drug taking, Canberra parents must brace themselves for more needless family tragedies.
Colliss Parrett, Barton
INNER NORTH
Growing district is celebrated for
CANBERRA’S growing inner north is celebrated for being home to some of the territory’s oldest dwellings, with heritage listed areas including Gorman House, Ainslie Primary and Haig Park.
The inner north was also a base to the ACT’s original airport which, between 1926 and 1928, sat where the Dickson Library and playing fields now are. Growing since its early days, the population of the area is more than 48,000, with more than 21,000 dwellings, according to the 2016 Australian census. Its businesses continue to grow, too, with a variety of dedicated business owners who specialise in a range of areas.
Celebrating one year with plenty of prizes
CINCOTTA Discount Chemist at Dickson is celebrating its first birthday with a party on October 17.
From 10am-1pm, owner and pharmacist Rhonda Warne says there’ll be free hearing tests, a barbecue, a cake, balloons and prizes, with all proceeds from the barbecue going to the maternity ward at Canberra Hospital.
“There will be a lucky door draw with prizes including a Natio gift pack, a food hamper, a pack [full of Ego products] and a baby pack [full of Gaia products], as well as 50 sample bags to our first 50 customers,” she says.
The store is also giving one customer the chance to win $1000 cash, according to Rhonda, but to be eligible, she says customers need to sign up for the Cincotta rewards program and spend more than $20 from selected ranges (terms and conditions apply).
In addition, she says Cincotta Dickson is running an in-store giveaway to win one of three major prizes including a BodiSure back massager worth $130, a BodiSure cushion massager worth $130, and an Oral-B Pro 2 electric toothbrush worth $100. To enter, she says customers must spend $25 or more on any products in store.
parents-to-be.
Cincotta Discount Chemist delivers personalised customer care, with fast script services and low prices, says retail manager Tracey Chappell.
Club cooks up authentic Croatian food
THE Australian Croatian Club restaurant serves up authentic, homemade Croatian cuisine every Friday night, says president of the club Antun Sep.
“As well as our Friday night specials, some of the choices we have on the menu include cevapi, raznjici, peka, sarma, surf and turf, schnitzel and snapper,” he says.
“The Croatian cuisine in the restaurant is all homemade – our wonderful volunteers in the kitchen all make brilliant meals and there’s a
catered for if there is room.
The Australian Croatian Club also features a licensed bar and function rooms available for rent on weekends for occasions like Latino dance nights, weddings or birthday parties. The club has been based at its current location in O’Connor since 1969, having celebrated its 50th anniversary in October last year. Being located in O’Connor in the inner north is great for its central location, with plenty of free parking, Antun says.
Cincotta’s special offers will be focusing on baby products, with 10 per cent off baby foods, a Medela breast pump available for hire at $35 per week, and bounty bags for new parents or
Cincotta Discount Chemist, 1/30-42 Dickson Place, Dickson. Call 6247 7944 or visit @cincotta. dickson on Facebook.
Australian Croatian Club president Antun Sep giving a speech for the club’s 50th anniversary last year. Photo: Eddie Misic
Retail manager Tracey Chappell of Cincotta Discount Chemist.
HISTORIC INNER NORTH
Medical practice has room for new patients
AFTER taking over Dickson Medical & Travel Clinic in October last year, co-owner and director Guillaume Prudent-Richard says the practice continues to provide a high level of care to patients and the community.
Established in 1987, Dickson Medical & Travel Clinic offers three lines of service to its patients, says Guillaume.
He says the clinic offers general practice, travel medicine (being one of two places in Canberra accredited to vaccinate against yellow fever), and occupational medicine, such as employee medicals and screening.
and men’s health, Dr Di Hannaford, who specialises in women’s health, and Dr Doug Randell, who performs employment checks and supports musculoskeletal issues. The practice also has two nurses, Margaret McLachlan and Susan Webster.
“We have a large, experienced team, offering flexibility and choice for patients, with a number of emergency appointments available each day,” says Guillaume.
“With a comprehensive suite of services, from standard general practice services such as diabetes and asthma management to tropical vaccinations and
Chamberlains Law Firm, Level 8, 224 Bunda Street, Civic. Call 6188 3600, email hello@chamberlains.com.au or visit chamberlains.com.au
Previous HKH directors Alison McNamara and Ben Hatte have joined Chamberlains Law Firm.
Staff at Dickson Medical & Travel Clinic, from left, nurse Margaret McLachlan, office manager Caroline Thorncraft, receptionist Alayne Walsh, Dr Tereza Prouza, Dr Les Buczynski and nurse Susan Webster.
Chamberlains Law Firm have merged with HKH Solicitors
Chamberlains Law Firm and Howes
Kaye Halpin Solicitors (HKH) have successfully merged and integrated under Chamberlains’ flag. The merger turns Chamberlains into one of the largest law firms in the Canberra region.
The merger further strengthens Chamberlains’ full-service offering particularly in:
• Personal Injury • Property
• Corporate Law • Wills & Estates
Joining Chamberlains’ board from HKH are Ben Hatte and Alison McNamara.
Ben Hatte, Director – Property Law:
Ben joins the Chamberlains’ board with over 10 years of experience, having headed the HKH Property and Commercial practice.
Ben is an expert in all aspects of property law, having guided many first-time homebuyers, investors, and builders and has developed one of the strongest property practices in Canberra.
Ben brings determination and enthusiasm to Chamberlains as well as a heavy technical competence, attention to detail and commercial acumen.
Alison McNamara, Director –Compensation & Estate Litigation:
Alison brings a wealth of experience in the personal injury and litigation sectors, with specialty in the areas of civil, commercial and estate litigation.
Alison has a solid history of achieving outstanding results for clients who have suffered physical and psychological injury from workplace accidents, medical negligence, motor vehicle accidents and public liability matters. Alison also regularly acts in wills and estate disputes.
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HISTORIC INNER NORTH
Devoted dentists strive for optimal oral health
AINSLIE Dental Care offers family-friendly general dentistry, cosmetic care, preventative care and children’s dentistry, says owner Dr Vicky Pusnjak.
The practice can also provide general check-ups, dentures, mouthguards, cleaning, fillings, whitening, crowns and bridges, orthodontics, emergency appointments and root canal treatment.
It’s been almost two years since Dr Vicky, of Canberra City Dentistry on University Avenue in Civic, took over Ainslie Dental Care.
The team at Ainslie Dental Care includes general and cosmetic dentist Dr Edward Davies, oral therapist Koko Clarke, and Dr Kam Sinn, who has specialised interests in gum disease, dental implants and minor orthodontics.
Dr Vicky, known for her gentle, quality care, graduated in 1993 from the University of Queensland dental school, and moved to Canberra for a job in Woden at the start of 1994.
She says the practice takes great pride in help ing its clients create a magnificent smile which enhances facial aesthetics, and in achieving and maintaining optimal oral health.
“We’re devoted to creating world-class aesthetic treatments and strive to develop longlasting, trusting relationships,” she says.
Ainslie Dental Care accepts HICAPS, private health funds and DVA health cards.
Ainslie Dental Care, Ainslie Chambers, 100 Wakefield Gardens, Ainslie. Call 6248 7662.
A NON-INVASIVE procedure that can help treat mild to moderate urinary incontinence is available at Wattle Street Medical Practice, says Dr Tuan Quoc Tran.
Dr Tran says the BTL EMSELLA chair, pictured, uses electromagnetic technology to stimulate the pelvic floor muscles, with no recovery time required, and patients remain fully clothed during treatment.
“This BTL EMSELLA chair can help patients with weak bladder causing urine leaking when coughing, laughing, sneezing, running or jumping, and urgency in rushing to the toilets frequently,” says Dr Tran.
Patients must book in for an initial assessment with Dr Tran to determine suitability for this treatment, and Dr Tran recommends six 30-minute sessions, scheduled twice a week,
for three consecutive weeks, for optimum results.
“Scientific research shows that 95 per cent of incontinent patients reported significant improvement in day-to-day life and 85 per cent improvement was observed in overall intimate satisfaction,” says Dr Tran.
“Here at the practice I have treated 36 patients so far, 34 patients responded with excellent results, and two patients without improvement.”
A BTL EMSELLA spokesperson says the chair can support muscle re-education of incontinent patients, women after childbirth and those with decreased intimate satisfaction.
Wattle Street Medical Practice, 83 Wattle Street, O’Connor. Call 6248 5446 or 6247 4807.
Ainslie Dental Care owner Dr Vicky Pusnjak.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Painted tribute to ballet that may never be seen
By Helen MUSA
OSCAR Wilde’s story “The Happy Prince” has been with Kim Carpenter for many years.
Published in 1888, the story of the prince who asks the swallow to take the ruby from his hilt, the sapphires from his eyes and the gold leaf covering his body to give to the poor, affected the artist/designer deeply.
“Every line has gravitas and as I went over and over it, it became more and more meaningful to me,” Carpenter says.
Turned into a ballet by himself, director Graeme Murphy and composer Christopher Gordon, the Australian Ballet’s production of “The Happy Prince” would have thrilled young people on our mainstages right about now, but after a short season in Brisbane during February, COVID-19 hit.
Believing that “today, as we go through the pandemic, what Wilde is saying about the disparity between the rich and the poor couldn’t be more relevant,” Carpenter has
produced a suite of 26 watercolour paintings for an exhibition in Kings Cross and online, partly in tribute to Wilde, who was born on October 16, 1854, and partly to reflect the ballet we may never see.
Like most kids’ stories, Carpenter says Wilde’s tale is about survival.
Another version for his former company, Theatre of Image, toured Australia and Canada for 16 years from the early 1990s, but the new exhibition has nothing to do with that and everything to do with the ballet.
Carpenter relates how about five years ago he took a list of 10 possible stories to David McAllister and Nicolette Fraillon from the Australian Ballet and it was only when he got to number 10, “The Happy Prince”, that they showed interest and it became a deal.
Murphy, meantime, was already well into it and had done his research.
“David knew much more about the romantic potential for choreography which also embraced fantasy,” Carpenter says.
“The look of characters is different in ballet,” he explains.
“Live theatre is about strong characterisation, but ballet is the most pure visual theatre medium,
conveying the story through music, image and dance… and this was a story ballet, not a text.”
Carpenter noticed that younger dancers weren’t experienced in character, but more seasoned artists like Adam Bull, the very first prince, were right into it and spoke to him about their interpretations,
something rare for a designer.
He began his designs in 2016, but as it was over budget, they postponed it and scheduled it as the 2019 season opener.
Fate struck when Graeme Murphy became seriously ill in hospital then Carpenter was diagnosed with cancer.
ter rehearsing in late 2019, it opened in Brisbane this year with plans to show at the Sydney Opera House and the Arts Centre, Melbourne. But with COVID-19, the company pulled the show.
Both Carpenter and Murphy weren’t optimistic when the second wave struck in Victoria and this time the ballet company suspended the production until further notice –Carpenter can’t see it happening any time soon.
But, he says, “I still had the imagery and the costumes in my mind. There is no limit to a painting… it exists within a piece of paper, that is the world, that is the atmosphere.”
So he got painting and secured a cancellation at the ARO Gallery in William Street, where he will hold a series of openings, since only 20 people at a time are allowed.
“I didn’t set out to tell a story,” he says.
“I started in the middle, but suddenly I realised it was forming a story and that’s how it’s being presented in terms of colour, all based on the ballet.”
Rose Mulready, publications editor of the Australian Ballet, tells him it would make a good book.
“She may well be right,” Carpenter says.
“The Happy Prince”, ARO Gallery, William Street, Darlinghurst, until October 25. The paintings may be viewed at kimcarpenter.com.au/exhibition
Kim Carpenter’s “Distributing Gold to the Poor”. Kim Carpenter, in his studio.
Trouble when true-love triangle goes off course
“Dirt Music” (M)
TIM Winton wrote a novel, Jack Thorne turned it into a screenplay and Gregor Jordan turned its paper characters into moving, talking images.
And the filmed result looks beautiful, scary and passionate. So what’s it about?
Georgie (Kelly Macdonald – no relation) has alcohol problems. And sexual problems – if resolving emotional issues by bonking more than one partner is a problem.
The fortunate chaps are Jim (David Wenham), the big man in the local rock lobster fishery and Lu (Garrett Hedlund) who fishes unlicensed under cover of darkness. Georgie’s going to have to make a choice.
“Dirt Music” sprinkles a dust of modern music over the film’s triangular romance to divert the tensions arising when Jim learns of Georgie’s fondness for Lu.
The tension escalates when Lu, his small boat immobilised probably by sabotage by we-all-know-who, decides to swim ashore, treads on a sharp object, and has to tough it out alone among coastal rocks not suitable for sustaining human life.
I’d like to heap praise on “Dirt Music” for its dramatic conflict, for its environmental beauty and for its cast of minor characters played by notable Aussie actors. But as the tensions developed, as Georgie’s search for Lu whom we know, but she doesn’t, is on the brink of dying
from a very sore foot, the drama began to lose credibility.
The filmmakers should have identified and fixed that defect before asking actors to portray the story’s tensions. The film’s dramatic build-up toward denouement is top stuff, unhurried, pointing in a tense direction.
At Dendy, Limelight and Hoyts
“The Leadership” (M)
THE focus of this Australian documentary, written and directed by Ili Baré, is a voyage to Antarctica in a pretty little cruise ship
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carrying 76 highly educated women led (a term synonymous with the film’s theme) by Fabian Dattner, whose profession is leading. Here’s her mission statement for the voyage – and the film – in a media statement released on the eve of her departure to board the ship: “In this time we cement deep personal insight, personal strategy, purpose and values, the art of visible leadership with a focus on the skills required. We share the contexts in which women work and we bond
to become an unshakeable collaboration for the greater good.”
That’s demanding stuff. If that were its full complement, “The Leadership” would be much shorter than its 97 minutes. But Antarctica is full of visual statements that, as well as being visually beautiful, have much to do with the future of life on our planet.
That, more than any issues of leadershiprelated analysis, scares the billy-oh out of me. The environmental images need no voiced commentary. They’re beautiful. And terrifying.
At Dendy
“Lucky Grandma” (M)
UNLESS you’ve fled here to escape the political turmoil and danger currently blighting the US, it’s probable that Sasie Sealy’s name hasn’t landed on your list of filmmakers to watch.
After a short film career in TV, Ms Sealy’s move into the big league goes to New York’s Chinatown where, today, diminutive 80-year-old chain-smoking Grandma (Tsai Chin, the first Chinese member of Britain’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art) is mourning the passing of the husband by whose side in the shop she has toiled from morn to night.
WATCH IT! / streaming and stuff
Grandma expects a large inheritance. But $1750 isn’t going to last, is it? So off in a group of locals to the casino where, betting on the number “8” in a variety of games, she wins a motza. Which she bets again on “8” and promptly loses.
In the coach back to the city, she finds herself sharing the seat with an obnoxious fellow whose dilly-bag is chock full of banknotes. And who conveniently karks it during the journey. Grandma heads home carrying the cash, unbeknownst to her family. Those events form a comical prelude to the film’s dramatic theme. And we know what happens when Chinese crooks want the money. So Grandma hires a bodyguard Big Pong (Hsiao-Yuan Ha, aka Corey Ha) whose size would scare away the most determined crook until the bullets start flying between gangs.
Billed as a comedy, even when gangwar tensions build, it matters little that improbable happenstance pops up several times to sustain the 88 minutes that “Lucky Grandma” needs to tell its story.
At Dendy
Fabulous ‘Fargo’ sets the quality bar
WE’RE lucky enough to be living in a golden age of television. So much to watch, so many places to watch it, and so much quality, it’s near dizzying.
And if you need evidence, check out the series “Fargo”. SBS On Demand will inevitably be drawing in the viewers as it nabbed the rights to premiere the fourth and newest season of this hit show in Australia.
This is a powerful move for the platform. The popularity of “Fargo” also sees it in a prime place on Netflix’s catalogue here Down Under, though SBS looks the winner in the race for the latest instalment.
Running since 2014, “Fargo” is an anthology crime series like no other. Each season focuses on a different, offbeat set of characters who find themselves in the most bizarre of crime scenarios.
The first season is heavily based on the 1996 film that shares its name with the show. It scored lead Frances McDormand an Oscar for her performance as Marge Gunderson, a wholesome and humble police woman navigating a strange set up where a down and out car salesman (William H Macy) tries to earn extra cash by secretly hiring two deadbeats to kidnap his wife for ransom.
Fargo season 1 takes the strange plot beats of the film but twists them into a new 10-part episodic series that’s captivating, quirky and poetic. Martin Freeman channels the energy of William H Macy’s performance into a new dud salesman who ends up taking quite the dark new lease on life.
In the second season, we’re thrown back to the ‘70s American mid-west where a couple,
played by Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons, try to cover up the hit and run of the son of a powerful criminal matriarch.
Season 3 gives us one of Ewan McGregor’s finest performances, where he plays twins trying to dig their way out of another of these surreal and stupendous scenarios. So crisp is the editing that sees them talking to one another throughout the story, the viewer can easily forget it’s one man playing both roles.
“Fargo” is hard to pin down in just a few words – “crime drama” doesn’t do it justice. There’s sweeping musical scores backdropping dramatic kidnappings, murders and mayhem, and it’s supported by a dark comedic style that’s black as night.
Each story is contextualised for its time period and offers not only a riveting tale of crime, but one that grasps with philosophy, history, politics, economics and almost everything in between.
The fourth season is sending us to ‘50s Kansas City and will deal with the
face-off between two rival gangs fighting for control of the city. However, with “Fargo” there’s always more behind what’s said in a simple plot description.
The series has seen massive success both critically and among viewers, and it’s made the now nearly 25-year-old film (a masterpiece in my humble opinion and streaming on Stan) all the more recognised, too.
NETFLIX may have missed the boat for “Fargo” but it does have a peculiar new documentary that’s making headlines. We’ve already seen one rare unit this year become friendly with tigers, but what about octopi?
“My Octopus Teacher” is a film about the reallife friendship between a diver and an octopus, off the coast of South Africa. After studying the octopus on a day-to-day basis for a few months, eventually the diver earns its trust and the two become closely bonded in a way that, incredibly, seems almost human.
Some reviews have been calling it the best film of the year and it’s earned quite the renown as a major tearjerker.
Two entirely different productions trending this week indeed, but certainly a testament to the quality and variety coming out of the streaming world.
Television revolution.
More of Nick Overall on Twitter @nick_overall
Chris Rock in “Fargo” series four.
Garrett Hedlund as Lu and Kelly Macdonald as Georgie in “Dirt Music”.
Pollock’s ‘Normal’ becomes real
By Helen Musa
IT’S an ill wind that blows nobody any good, and Canberra Youth Theatre seems to have been unusually blessed by the misfortunes of 2020 as it approaches its next production.
Katie Pollock’s play “Normal” had already been scheduled for production in May and the cast had enjoyed one session together before corporate health orders struck, but director Luke Rogers remained optimistic and now they’re opening on October 22.
It didn’t look promising at first and after some Zooming, which one cast member describes as “horrendous”, they’ve been together in person since August.
Meantime, the theatrical gods smiled on the company when the Canberra Theatre offered to house the show on the main stage of The Playhouse.
“They are looking after us very well,” Rogers says in understatement, explaining that this is not only the realisation of his dream of bringing the company to wider public attention but also an opportunity for Canberrans to see young emerging professionals aged between 19 and 25. The other stroke of serendipity is
that Pollock’s play is about an unseen, unknown virus and how the subsequent hysteria tears a town apart.
Pollock’s script was written long before the virus was even thought of, so it’s a case of happenstance.
“Of course, I had no idea when I wrote the play that the idea of things going viral would be quite so relevant right now. It really does speak to how connected we all are, and how much we rely on each other as we move through the world,” the playwright says.
Rogers chuckles as he considers the timeliness of the theme and the publicity that might accompany it but says: “It’s a universal theme and what interests me in it is people having agency over their own bodies, the virus is an allegory”.
To that end he has billed the play as “an urban detective story in which the investigator is a teenage girl and the body is her own”.
It has an all-female cast of highly theatrical characters. Briefly, Holly Ross plays Poppy, who falls victim to a mysterious illness characterised by a twitch that spreads through her body. Soon others follow, such as Poppy’s “friend-ish” Sasha, played by McKenzie Battye-Smith, and Sky, Poppy’s real best friend, played by Elektra Spencer. All but Ross as Poppy, double and triple as adults and teenagers, creating tension in a blink of an eye.
by Jemma Collins, is a malicious character (“wonderful to play”), who pressures her daughter into thinking the virus is an act of God. Collins also plays Ms Holt, the school principal, sure the condition is caused by toxins in the soil.
Sheila Harrington the psychiatrist (Spencer), is one of the only stable characters in Poppy’s life.
“She is the one who can remind Poppy of who she is,” Rogers notes.
In complete contrast is Shop Girl, also played by Jemma Collins, who works in the local fashion store and who has no part in the hysteria.
Battye-Smith says that class is
DINING / Eighty/Twenty, Kingston
Vibe of Kingston’s ‘urban village’
By Wendy JOHNSON
and her mum Heather, whom she plays, from different classes.
Is “Normal” about Canberra? Well that wasn’t Pollock’s intention, although she lived and wrote here for many years. Rogers thinks it’s set in a small regional city in NSW.
“It’s important for the parents of teen women, important for people in their late teens and early 20s and a definitive analysis of the way young women are repressed… It’s a very complex 80 minutes,” says Rogers.
“Normal”, The Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre, book at canberratheatrecentre.com.au. Suitable for ages 15+.
Blistering Rats in rumbling concert
By Helen Musa
CANBERRA’S lively Romanian-style band Super Rats is promising a concert of hard-luck music, prison songs, flower-sellers with roving eyes and dances from the backstreets of Bucharest, played on the cimbalom, along with “blistering accordion, sinuous violin, and rumbling double bass”. At Smith’s Alternative, Civic, Saturday, October 24, 7pm and 8.30pm. Book at smithsalternative.com
THREE Canberra-produced shows have been nominated for the 53rd “AWGIE” (Australian Writers’ Guild) awards, to be announced in December: Alana Valentine’s libretto for composer Sandra France’s “Flight Memory”, commissioned and produced by The Street; former Canberran Katie Pollock for “Normal”, to be staged by Canberra Youth Theatre this month; and Grace De Morgan’s play “Collapse”, commissioned and presented last year by Youth Theatre.
“HEAD to Head” is an exhibition of ceramics by Steve Roper, revolving around the imagination, the subconscious, and personal expression, showing alongside “Lost and Found”, vessels by Robert Linigen following the loss of his home and studio in the 2013 bushfires, which explore the human experience of loss, rebuilding and regrowth. At Canberra Potters, Watson, until November 1.
CASSETTE Connection is a new podcast featuring an in-depth artist profile and the first episodes have seen, among other Canberra music identities, musical star Kirrah Amosa, bassist and composer Brendan Keller-Tuberg and Benjamin Drury, who has performed for the Canberra International Music Festival and You Are Here. Follow the podcasts at cassetteconnection.podbean.com
VETERAN Canberra region ceramicist Hiroe Swen is holding an exhibition called “Hiroe Swen, a lifetime in ceramics”, career milestones and new work at Sturt Gallery, Mittagong, until November 15. Inquiries to 4860 2083.
THE highly popular Eighty/Twenty in Braddon has branched out with a second café in the innovative Kingsborough Village, Kingston.
Just across from the increasingly popular Warehouse Roast Tap Brew, Eighty/Twenty has only a few seats indoors (around 10) but plenty outdoors in the com munal courtyards, with tables surrounded by flowering plants, citrus trees, lawn area and other greenery. There’s a real community vibe to this “urban village”, which suits Eighty/Twenty’s personality to a tee. It was lunch and a gorgeous spring day for sitting outside.
Eighty/Twenty’s menu features all-day meals, snacks, salads, Acai bowls and more. To be honest, it was a tough pick. The menu is impressively extensive for a small cafe, but the two of us got there in the end.
My friend opted for the vegan burrito bowl, which arrived bursting with colour and flavour ($23). The chipotle beans were beautifully spicy and the dish loaded with other healthy ingredients, including mushroom, cauliflower hummus, spinach, brown rice (great fibre!), salsa and a nest of taco pickle. We feast with the eyes, and the greens, reds, pinks and oranges in the dish were tantalising.
I was in for lamb (it’s spring!) and the chermoula pulled-lamb dish was just as packed with yum ingredients as the vegan burrito bowl ($24). I adore a great chermoula and this version had lovely flavours. Eighty/Twenty is into healthy food and this dish was no exception – pumpkin, quinoa, cherry tomato, hummus, pine nuts and sweet currants.
The lamb was tender, and the combination of other ingredients worked incredibly well together. I gave it a
Vegan burrito bowl… the greens, reds, pinks and oranges in the dish were a tantalising feast for the eyes.
Wendy Johnson
good go but couldn’t finish the generous serve (Eighty/ Twenty offers good value for its dishes).
Also on the all-day menu is a vegan buckwheat waffle ($19), green nourish bowl with a whopping 10 ingredients ($19), scrambled green eggs with beans ($19), a risotto ($19), a grilled lime fish ($29) and some chicken dishes. If you’re into something smaller, Eighty/ Twenty has a large range of breads available for toasting, which can be enjoyed with just butter, or peanut butter, house-made jam or honey ($8).
The range of smoothies is also extensive (all $9.90) and the hot-drink range includes your regular suite of coffees, a Belgian hot chocolate, Prana sticky chai, 100 per cent matcha/turmeric latte and a range of organic teas. As we ate, we could see people stopping to order takeaway at Eighty/Twenty. It will serve the area well. It’s early days for this community hub at Kingsborough, but its reputation is growing quickly. The area is an easy walk from the Foreshore and old Kingston and there’s a fair amount of parking around the place.
At Eighty/Twenty you order at the counter and are served at your table.
Holly Ross as Poppy.
Photo: Lightbulb Studio
Photo:
PUZZLES PAGE
Joanne Madeline Moore
ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)
You’re feeling rather impatient, as projects seem to stall at every turn. Retrograde Mars and retrograde Mercury are doing a number on you plus Uranus throws a spanner into the mix. So you’re set for a frustrating, disruptive and unpredictable week. Avoid having a hot-headed Aries melt-down! The current celestial cocktail is forcing you to slow down… something that definitely doesn’t come naturally. Smart Rams will spend valuable time revisiting, revising and recalibrating.
TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 21)
This week, with Mars and Mercury both in retrograde mode, don’t take anything for granted. If you want to minimise disruptions and problems, then be extra diligent and double-check everything. Uranus unsettles you on Tuesday, when a personal project or a relationship matter encounters obstacles and then takes off in a totally unexpected direction. Keep your cool! You’re also keen to help someone in need but don’t promise more than you can realistically deliver.
GEMINI (May 22 – June 21)
This week, with retrograde Mercury, retrograde Mars and unpredictable Uranus all stirring things up, expect some frustrating disruptions and delays involving work, commerce, cars, computers, travel, holidays and/or phones. And make sure you are especially careful with what you put on social media, as it will be very easy for other people to completely misinterpret your true meaning. If you are a smart Twin, then you’ll check and re-check everything before you post.
CANCER (June 22 – July 23)
Crabs are feeling frustrated and cranky! With Mars reversing through your career zone (until November 14) it’s definitely not a good week to apply for a job, pitch your boss for a promotion or launch a big new work project. Instead, focus your attention on a romantic relationship, business partnership or creative joint venture that has real potential. It’s also a suitable time to show loved ones how much you really care via a warm hug, a welcome gift or a thoughtful gesture.
LEO (July 24 – Aug 23)
With Venus, Jupiter, Pluto and Saturn all stimulating your wealth zone, tap into the abundance that is all around you – and not just on a financial level. It’s time to combine your outer creativity with your inner strength, so that you shine brightly for all the world to see. Strong self-esteem and self-acceptance are your Leo birthright! So your motto for the moment is from entertainer Katy Perry (who turns 36 on October 25): “Self-acceptance is the key to be truly free.”
VIRGO (Aug 24 – Sept 23)
Virgos are usually awesome organisers. But with Mars and Mercury both retrograde, your managerial mojo may have (temporarily) deserted you, as your confidence takes a nose-dive. Put aside time to recharge your rundown batteries and reboot your self-belief. You also need to tap into your inner beauty and zest for life. So your mantra is from birthday great, legendary actress Sarah Bernhardt: “Life begets life. Energy creates energy. It is by spending oneself that one becomes rich.”
LIBRA (Sept 24 – Oct 23)
You’ll be walking on a financial and communication tightrope this week Libra! With retrograde Mercury, retrograde Mars and disruptive Uranus all stirring up your money and partnership zones, you’re primed for a spontaneous spending spree or a relationship debacle. In order to avoid messy (and unnecessary) problems you must think before you spend… and think before you speak. It doesn’t take long to blurt something out but it takes a lot longer to repair the damage afterwards.
SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 22)
Expect a topsy-turvy kind of week Scorpio. With Mars and Mercury both retrograde, strive to manage misunderstandings and patch up problems in a patient and cooperative fashion. You’re very focused on professional projects but don’t put all your eggs in the one work basket. Make sure you diversify your interests, experiment with creative ideas and keep your options open. Your motto is from birthday great Carrie Fisher: “Sometimes the tide’s in, and sometimes it’s out.”
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23 – Dec 21)
You’re keen to be in charge but are you being the boss – or just plain bossy? This week the planetary patterns encourage you to utilise your leadership skills in more subtle, disciplined and diplomatic ways that result in cooperation rather than consternation! Your creativity, compassion and spiritual side are also stimulated, as you connect with your inner muse or help a friend in need. Yoga, meditation, contemplation, relaxation and journal writing are particularly favoured.
CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 20)
It’s a good week to review and finish projects as you tick the to-do list. But retro Mars, retro Mercury and unpredictable Uranus stir up your family and peer group zones. So prepare for a domestic drama or a friendship fiasco. Explain to loved ones that you need plenty of personal space at the moment, and make sure you pace yourself. Your dry sense of humour will see you through! As Capricorn acting legend Maggie Smith observes: “Usually you can find a funny side to practically anything.”
AQUARIUS (Jan 21 – Feb 19)
Aquarians are feeling restricted and reckless! The retro Uranus/retro Mercury opposition increases your impulsive and unpredictable side and makes you more accident-prone than usual. So steer clear of distractions and stop rushing. Plus avoid the tantalising temptation to rock the relationship boat (especially with work colleagues and family members). Perhaps it’s time to backtrack and heal a frustrating rift, as you build bridges with a loved one and let bygones be bygones?
PISCES (Feb 20 – Mar 20)
Retrograde Mars, Mercury and Uranus rev up your restless (and reckless) side and amplify your tendency to become distracted. So be extra careful when walking near traffic, driving, cycling or jogging. And have you been contemplating doing some sort of humanitarian, community or volunteer work? It’s a good time to tap into your compassionate side as you get involved in a charitable cause with a global reach or lend a helping hand to someone in your local neighbourhood.
Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2020
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24 Which North Queensland river rises in the Great Dividing Range, and flows west to the Gulf of Carpentaria? (6)
25 What is a fraudster also known as? (8)
26 Which fusible alloy unites metal surfaces? (6)
4 Name the capital of the
5 What was Russia once known as (init)? (4)
6 What is another name for a bill of fare? (6)
7 Name the earlier occupation of Paul Hogan. (6)
12 To box lightly, is to do what? (4)
14 Which US term applies to Australian duffers? (8)
15 Name that one of the two bones of the forearm that is on the side opposite to the thumb. (4)
17 What are acquired relatives? (2,4)
18 Which woman’s garment is knotted around the waist? (6)
20 Name a cloth that is used for wiping and drying something wet. (5)
21 Who has the care of the sick or infirm? (5)
23 What is a male horse, not past its fourth birthday? (4)
GARDENING
Colourful masses of cape weed
THE masses of yellow flowers on virtually every nature strip at present are not part of Mr Barr’s alternate Floriade, colourful as they are.
Arctotheca calendula may not be a familiar plant name to most. Commonly known as cape weed or cape dandelion; from the Cape Province of South Africa, it’s an annual that germinates in late spring and flowers in autumn, usually dying down in late summer. It’s classed as an environmental weed in most states.
The seeds can lay dormant for years until the right conditions, and this year, with regular rainfall, has been perfect. The only way to get rid of cape weed invading the garden is to
dig it out while it’s in full flower, before it sets seed.
HANGING baskets often adorn verandas, with the plants possibly having died years ago. One of the main reasons is the liners used for the baskets. I have found coconut liners useless. Firstly, water drains straight through and secondly, birds, especially in spring, find the coconut fibre delightful for building their nests. The solution is a sponge multi-coloured carpet underlay. I have hanging gardens with this liner that are more than 10 years old, and the plants still look happy. Place the blue plastic on the inside and punch a few holes for drainage.
FOR A massed display of one plant, try phlox, seen here growing in the Horticultural Society’s demonstration garden at Bruce is P.
“McDaniel’s Cushion”. Who was or is McDaniel, perhaps a reader can help me? Phlox is perfect as a groundcover or in baskets, and presents a spectacular show. There are at least a dozen different coloured varieties readily available.
I HAVE been experimenting with hellebores
as a cut flower for the home. After almost eight weeks with just the occasional change of water, the flowers finally started to fade and droop. Pretty amazing! Hellebores have seemingly delicate, paper-thin flowers in a variety of colours from white to pink and deep purple.
IF YOU have not already done so, perennial, autumn-flowering salvias should be cut back to ground level. It’s still a good time to dig up and divide the plant, trimming back the scraggly roots for two possibilities, filling in bare spots in your own garden or potting up for the church/ school plant stalls. When transplanting in the garden, dig in some of that good stuff from the compost heap. Water in with organic liquid seaweed as this specifically promotes new root growth. Also keep an eye out for new varieties, keeping in mind their ultimate size which ranges from 30cm to 1.5 metres.
SUMMER and autumn flowering bulbs will now be available at garden outlets, including tubers and corms. Plant these progressively over a few weeks, which means they will then flower over a longer period for greater enjoyment. Some suggestions include oriental lilies, hippeastrums, calla lily, dahlias and nerines. Depending on the season, some of these may be autumn rather than summer flowering.
Cape weed brightens up the nature strips, in Antill Street, Dickson. Phlox “McDaniel’s cushion”, but who is McDaniel?
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