Well written, well read
Housing: No wonder young people feel shafted MICHAEL MOORE
The Chief’s new solar rebate scheme KEEPING
Who got the local gongs? KING’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS Why the future is calling neurodivergent kids STACEY KERSHAW-BRANT The Australian
By Elizabeth KOVACS
Canberra is home to three branches of the Country Women’s Association – Gungahlin, Belconnen and Canberra – and is looking at marking 80 years of advocacy in the ACT next year.
Early activities for the initial Canberra branch included making wartime food parcels for England and donating books to the Bungendore Li brary, which was being run by its local CWA branch.
“Even though Canberra isn’t exactly rural, we do so much for our friends over the border,” says Canberra Branch president Joy Garland.
“For such a small group, nationally, we do so much.
“We are an advocacy group current ly fighting against domestic violence and for better healthcare facilities in rural regions.
“We are initiators, fighters and lobby ists, but it is hard to fight assumptions.”
“We do so much more than just bake scones, contrary to popular belief,”
The now-retired ex-home economics teacher says she is “quite frankly” sick of baking.
Although some branches do some
Arts & Entertainment 19-22
Crossword 23
Dining & Wine 21
Gardening 18
Letters 12
News 3-14
Politics 4, 8, 10
Streaming 22
Sudoku 23
Since 1993: Volume 31, Number: 23
General manager: Tracey Avery, tracey@citynews.com.au
Advertising account executives: Damien Klemke, 0439 139001
Ashika Nambiar, 0425 149860
Editor: Ian Meikle, editor@citynews.com.au
Journalist: Elizabeth Kovacs, elizabeth@citynews.com.au
Arts editor: Helen Musa, helen@citynews.com.au
Production manager: Janet Ewen
Distribution manager: Penny McCarroll
they will target this year.
“Six hundred to 800 women attend and that’s where we get stuff done,”
Now pushing for young women to “Find Your Place”, Joy says: “We’ve already got some young women who are incredibly passionate about the cause and making a difference.
“But it’s the assumption that we are just a bunch of old ladies that is hard
According to Joy, it isn’t all serious at their meetings, with the women forming lifelong friendships over a cuppa.
“It’s a friendly space for women to come together,” she says.
Meeting every other Friday in their building at 8 Barry Drive, Civic, Joy encourages women of any age and background to pop by and say hello.
To join the Country Women’s Association, email cwacanberra@gmail.com or call 0413 711534.
Andrew Leigh, local MP and Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury, has taken a swipe at the ACT government for its failures around housing policy.
Prof Leigh’s speech to the Chifley Research Centre in Melbourne comes at a time when the OECD is warning that the Australian economy is being “hamstrung by a dysfunctional housing sector” and warned Australia to overhaul planning and competition laws or see a drop in the standard of living.
The minister reflected on his own suburb of Hackett – “typical of the mid-century Australian public housing aesthetic. They weren’t designed to win awards. They were designed to meet need”.
They were homes rather than “architectural masterpieces” and they were “delivered fast, built to last and priced within reach”.
At a time when there were just over 100,000 people in Canberra, the city was delivering 2400 new homes annually. Compare this to today’s Canberra with a population approaching half a million. Last year there were even less dwellings approved than in the mid-1960s, with just 2180 approvals.
No wonder there is a housing crisis,
and young people are feeling shafted.
As Leigh explains: “The collapse in supply isn’t just a statistic – it’s a signal”. It should also be a wake-up call for the ACT government. The consequences of government failures are “rising rents and overcrowding, to the growing number of people priced out of the communities they grew up.”
In his book Battlers and Billionaires: The Updated Story of Inequality in Australia, he identified “from the 1960s to the 1980s, the typical home cost the average worker around four years’ earnings. Today, it costs 11”.
Over the last 15 years the average
•
• Enhanced Collagen Production
• Stimulates deep layers for improved skin elasticity and firmness.
• Comprehensive Reju enation
• Targets both superficial and deep layers of the skin for an overall revitalised appearance.
Shop 3/22 Franklin Street, Griffith info@totalbodycontouring.com.au totalbodycontouring.com.au
While Andrew Leigh is singing the praises of traditional suburbs such as Hackett, the ACT Government’s ideological mindset is to strategically bomb them with more apartments and higher-density living.
annual dwelling approvals has been around 4700. Despite the increase in population approvals are not quite double what was achieved in the 1960s.
While Leigh is singing the praises of traditional suburbs such as Hackett, the ACT government’s ideological mindset is to strategically bomb them with more apartments and higher-density living. Planning Minister Chris Steel remains ideologically bound to focus on “townhouses, terraces, walk-up apartments”.
This mindset is based on limiting the city’s footprint. Suburbs such as Denman Prospect and Whitlam have a mix of the more traditional blocks and higher density. The lack of supply of traditional blocks has pushed the price of housing in these suburbs well beyond the reach of the next generation. It is not as though there is a shortage of land in this country, and more is needed for housing.
The real criticism of governments around Australia, as Leigh sees it, “isn’t a lack of wealth, or ideas, or demand. It’s the quiet accumulation of obstacles”. Success in areas such as housing supply is “about competence. About saying yes – not to everything, but to the right things”.
It is not just in Canberra. There is a similar story across Australia –enough to motivate the OECD to point the finger at our nation. So where does the problem really lie? “Too few homes, delivered too slowly at too high a cost”. The problem is largely institutional with a “housing system where it is simply too hard to build”.
In his conclusion, Leigh identifies the problems with the systems including “approvals, compliance, coordination” being slow, fragmented, and over-engineered”.
Over the years this column has regularly identified delay as a key tool
to hamper decisions. In this context, Leigh points out “they don’t say ‘no’ outright. They just make ‘yes’ harder than it needs to be”.
His speech concluded with five recommendations to “build systems that deliver”. The ACT government would do well to take on board the thinly veiled criticisms of their federal Labor colleague. It is time to focus on throughput, align planning and delivery, remove the chokepoints in process and build institutional confidence with “trusted, accountable public institutions”.
This is not the time for grand announcements (that have become the hallmark of the Barr government) but rather to focus on repairing the parts of the system that retard progress.
Michael Moore is a former member of the ACT Legislative Assembly and an independent minister for health. He is a past president of the World Federation of Public Health Associations.
As artificial intelligence reshapes the way we live and work, the dominant narrative is one of loss.
We hear about jobs disappearing, skills becoming obsolete and machines replacing human labour. But there is another story unfolding. It is a story about human difference becoming our greatest strength.
Neurodivergent children, including those diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and/or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), are often labelled as disruptive or behind. Too many are told to sit still, follow the rules and try harder to fit in. But what if their differences are not deficits at all? What if they are the very traits the future needs most?
AI is exceptional at repetition, structure and pattern recognition. It can analyse vast amounts of data and complete tasks with precision. What it cannot do is care, imagine, empathise or think creatively. These are the traits that make us human. And the children who do not conform to traditional systems often have them in abundance.
The most resilient innovators of tomorrow may be the same children who struggle in classrooms designed for uniformity. Their tendency to question norms, think in unconventional ways and follow their own curiosity could be exactly what the workforce of the future demands.
“Too many are children told to sit still, follow the rules and try harder to fit in. But what if their differences are not deficits at all? What if they are the very traits the future needs most?”
Photo: Dan Peled/AAP
Studies are beginning to validate what many parents and educators have long observed. Research from La Trobe University’s Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre shows that autistic people often bring unique and inventive approaches to problem solving. Children with ADHD are known to excel in divergent thinking,
The future is not looking for people who do what they are told. It is looking for people who see things differently. Neurodivergent children already
do. We should be listening.
particularly in environments that offer flexibility rather than rigid structure.
These strengths are not just useful, they are critical. Creativity, complex problem solving and emotional intelligence are among the top skills predicted to shape the next decade, according to the World Economic Forum. And these are precisely the areas where neurodivergent individuals often thrive.
We must also recognise the value of emotional experience. AI cannot build trust or understand hardship. But many neurodivergent children, especially those who have faced barriers and exclusion, develop deep empathy and insight. They can become exceptional advocates, mentors, carers and leaders, precisely because they understand what it means to be
left out or overlooked.
Of course, this is not to say the road is easy. Many systems still fail to accommodate different ways of thinking. But the challenge is not just about helping neurodivergent children fit in. It is about preparing the world to benefit from their differences.
If we continue to measure children against a narrow standard, we will continue to miss their potential. But if we recognise and support their strengths, we might just discover the thinkers and leaders we need most.
The future is not looking for people who do what they are told. It is looking for people who see things differently. Neurodivergent children already do. We should be listening.
Stacey Kershaw-Brant is a Canberrabased advocacy writer with lived experience of ADHD, both personally and as a parent. She writes on issues including youth homelessness, domestic and family violence, perinatal wellbeing, and food security for schoolaged children.
The quarterly Hawker Community Repair Café and Made Local Markets is being held at the Hawker International Softball Centre, end of Walhallow Street, 10am-1pm, June 15. Members will repair broken things such as jewellery, furnishings, toys, electrical household appliances and shed tools, mowers, small motors and bicycles, and offer advice on repairing fabrics, woollen clothes and leather goods. The club says its success rate of repairs to date is 87 per cent with 1193 items saved from land fill.
The Bold Bandannas Relay for Life Team charity stall will be at the Harmonie German Club in Narrabundah, 9am-1pm on June 22 selling its “trademark” jams, pickles, chutneys, marmalades and lemon butter, plus beanies, scarves, mittens, ear warmers, knee rugs and children’s hand-knitted jumpers. Proceeds in aid of cancer research.
Feltmakers on show
Canberra Region Feltmakers is showcasing its members’ work with the Rapt in Felt 2025: Street Felt show where visitors can see, buy and experience handmade felt. At the Kambah Scout Hall, Kett Street, from 10am over the weekend of June 28-29. There is a fashion parade on the Saturday and workshops on the Sunday. Bookings to canfelt.org.au
Winnunga Nimmityjah AHCS is an Aboriginal community controlled primary health care service operated by the Aboriginal community of the ACT.
In Wiradjuri language, Winnunga Nimmityjah means Strong Health. The service logo is the Corroboree Frog which is significant to Aboriginal people in the ACT.
Our aim is to provide a culturally safe, holistic health care service for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of the ACT and surrounding regions. The holistic health care provided by Winnunga AHCS includes not only medical care, but a range of programs to promote good health and healthy lifestyles.
Our services include:
• GP and Nursing
• Midwifery
• Immunisations
• Health Checks
• Men’s & Women’s Health
• Hearing Health
• Dental
• Physiotherapy
• Podiatry
• Dietician (Nutrition)
• Counselling
• Diabetes Clinic
• Quit Smoking Services / No More Boondah
• Needle Syringe Program
• Mental Health Support
• Healthy Weight Program
• Healthy Cooking Group
• Mums and Bubs Group / Child Health
• Optometry Service
• Psychology and Psychiatrist
• Community Events
• Groups
Winnunga AHCS is a national leader in accreditation, was one of the first Aboriginal community controlled health services to achieve dual accreditation under RACGP and QIC standards. Winnunga AHCS has been at the forefront of setting a national agenda for quality improvement in Aboriginal community controlled health and continues to advocate locally and nationally for best practice standards in operational and governance areas of Aboriginal health services.
CLINIC hours | MONDAY TO FRIDAY 9am-5pm
Ph: 6284 6222 | 63 Boolimba Cres, Narrabundah www.winnunga.org.au
One of the more interesting aspects of the federal election was the role international rela tions played.
Initially, this was part of a broader Labor reframing and narrative strategy to mitigate any chance of op position momentum on their natural areas of strength such as immigra tion, defence and national security.
However, with Trump’s MAGA strategy unleashed on unsuspecting nations in the form of “unexpected policy variations” (to quote a nice buzzterm from the RBA) Labor took the lead from leaders in other first world nations with centre governments, especially Canada, to rebrand themselves as “progressive patriots”.
let bravado get the better of them and let slip some interesting points they believe cost their opponents victory.
Why? Opinion polling in the Canadian election showed a remarkable turnaround for new PM Mark Carney and his centre-left government that had wholeheartedly embraced this term and stood hard against all Trump was threatening to do.
From looking at a wipeout just weeks before under previous PM Justin Trudeau, they were never headed in the polls and went on to win very comfortably.
Labor had not just taken notice, they copied.
The evidence? After elections in Australian politics the victors usually
For Labor this is less “fair shake of the sauce bottle”, and more “sink the slipper”. Yet it also revealed the brand strategy that Labor is now crafting to implement their objective as being seen as the natural government by voters.
While the 2022 win was more about getting settled and hanging on, especially against a resurgent Dutton last summer, this win, and nicely integrated to the slogan, is more about brand building.
So progressive patriotism has become the two-word strategy guiding Labor this term. They will be progressive in policy areas which the Coalition are still arguing over the 1950 or 2010 version of, and patriots
Progress always has a price. As does being patriotic. But Labor will be hoping that its two-word strategy will mean it can do both, and build a brand that keeps that light on the hill.
in how Australia is seen on the world stage in all areas.
Clearly the prime minister is really going to enjoy this term. He wants to have more of a presence on the world stage, to be seen to be representing us all as what Malcolm Turnbull called for in his press club address, an Australian-centric prime minister.
His global trips in his first week reinforced that. Presence. Patriotism. Progressive.
You could see the confidence of what 94 seats in the lower house does for a leader. Howard had it too in 1996 when he had the same number, albeit in coalition, and he built his presence and networks on the world stage at a time when the centre right was dominating globally.
But when patriots meet patriots things get very interesting very quickly. The biggest challenge, and the one which will flow on domestically, is meeting the US president.
The strength of our relationship
with the US and its leader will be measured very publicly by one simple metric: is it a scolding in the Oval Office in front of Team America, or will it be a more polite affair in a warm and colourful Rose Garden?
It’s one to watch as the Americans are already laying down some early markers on the patriotism angle by targeting our defence spending and the Port of Darwin issue. The reaction from the prime minister revealed just how sensitive this topic is.
The progressive is more about the domestic for now. Early announcements on climate, energy, the economy, taxation and wages for the low paid all signal Labor ensuring that progress is made on, well, progress.
The defection of Senator Dorinda Cox from the Greens would have been a nice public validation of that early strategy.
Yet Labor needs to be careful, too, in some of these areas. They have to keep aspiration alive in the voters’ minds lest the Coalition wake up one day to the potential of that term being connected to their brand.
Cost of living is still the number one issue for so many, and killing aspirational policy offerings, even if
like the super tax they are pitched as just targeting the rich, will quickly link regressive and austerity into the brand offering.
Labor now will be the government that will have to introduce structural reforms into the economy so large spending, such as the NDIS and AUKUS, doesn’t derail the economy into ongoing deficits funded by debt borrowed on, hopefully, a AAA credit rating.
That is going to burn significant political capital as none of the changes required, such as a possible GST increase, will be embraced when introduced.
Progress always has a price. As does being patriotic. But Labor will be hoping that its two-word strategy will mean it can do both, and build a brand that keeps that light on the hill. Powered by solar batteries, of course.
Dr Andrew Hughes lectures at the ANU Research School of Management, where he special ises in political marketing.
If the federal cabinet ministers were animals, Murray Watt would be Alice in Wonderland’s Cheshire Cats – both of them.
He had reason to smile when he was trade minister and figuratively brought home the Chinese bacon –booze and lobsters.
But like Lewis Carroll’s peculiar pussies, only Murray knew the joke when he pridefully announced the extension of Woodside’s NorthWest Shelf gas project until 2070.
In doing so, he committed a crime against humanity. His decision will unleash more than four billion tonnes of climate pollution. This is the equivalent of a decade of Australia’s current emissions. It contributes substantially to our descendants’ struggle with the hellfire of climate change.
It was not Murray Watt’s decision alone. It would not have occurred had Prime Minister Anthony Albanese not backed it to the hilt. In our system of government, the PM is the equivalent of the titleholder in Niccolo Machiavelli’s The Prince, which Albo has apparently read, marked and followed.
Niccolo also used animals to illustrate his lessons in political chicanery. He likened the leader’s best qualities among the “beasts” to
greyhound, Jim Chalmers, and the silky Nanny Goat, Penny Wong. And above them all, softly snarling, was Canis lupus italicus, Albo himself,
Machiavelli advises the ruler to become “a great liar and deceiver”. Men are so easy to deceive that the ruler won’t have an issue with lying to others, he says. “Men are wicked, and never keep their words, therefore the ruler doesn’t have to keep his. He should appear to be compassionate, faithful to his word, guileless, and
The election decimated the former Liberal-Nationals Coalition, where the leadership of both parties is so weak they will no longer play a convincing role as the opposition. Albo and his frontbench will laugh them out of question time.
devout. And indeed he should be so. But his disposition should be such that, if he needs to be the opposite, he
That’s Albo to a “T”. This is the man who crowed when first elected to The Lodge that Aboriginal advancement was his first priority, then he turned it into the policy that dare not speak its name. And now he’s ordered his Cheshire Cat to announce the certain destruction of the irreplaceable Aboriginal rock art treasures by Woodside’s pollution.
He chose not to announce it before the election to avoid the protest that might well have saved the Greens’ seats that he so desperately wanted
to win.
Indeed, he did it so effectively that they are left with a lone seat in the House of Representatives where Elizabeth Watson-Brown is overwhelmed by Albo’s 94 Labor-seat majority. Instead, he waited until the eve of Reconciliation Week to drop the bombshell on the First Nations’ hopes and dreams.
But here’s the rub: the election decimated the former Liberal-Nationals Coalition, where the leadership of both parties is so weak they will no longer play a convincing role as the opposition.
Albo and his frontbench will laugh them out of question time. And since politics abhors a vacuum, the real opposition will arise from a mix of Labor’s right and left – led by the lumbering bullock with AUKUS branded on his rump. That’s when Albo will re-read Niccolo and play the lion.
Good luck with that.
robert@robert macklin.com
“In
a last-ditch attempt to ensure that the residents of Canberra be kept in the dark about the cost of light rail, Barr claimed executive privilege over the relevant documents.” JON STANHOPE & KHALID AHMED track the difficult politics of discovering the tram costs.
Finally, Canberrans have available to them some detail on the cost of a project that will burden them – and coming generations –with a mountain of debt.
In a March column we called on the Prime Minister Albanese and Chief Minister Barr to stop treating the Canberra community with contempt and release the light rail business case.
Unsurprisingly, they ignored our plea. It took a Liberal Party motion in the Legislative Assembly, along with a review by an independent legal arbiter on the basis of the refusal to release the business case, that finally led to its publication.
Reading through the business case documents, we can understand the potential embarrassment and hence the secrecy by the Labor-Greens government. We will provide a detailed analysis and comments on the business case in the coming weeks.
The motion in the Legislative Assembly was moved by Opposition Leader Leanne Castley and supported by the crossbench and the Greens.
The ALP, outnumbered on the floor, threw in the towel after refusing for years to release the business case, and supported the motion.
It would have been nice to have been able to believe, as reflected in the mainstream media, that the members of the Legislative Assembly
came together to agree on the release of the documents, with some technical matters relating to executive privilege and commercial confidentiality also being addressed.
In reality, the path Castley was forced to tread to gain the support of the Legislative Assembly for her motion on the documents related to light rail was not at all smooth.
In fact, in preceding debates her attempt to seek basic information on the business case for the project and related documents was vigorously resisted by the government with extraordinary and bizarre arguments.
For example, Andrew Barr argued that the standing order under which Castley was seeking the documents was never intended for that purpose; that she was abusing the standing orders; and that other avenues such as Questions on Notice, questions during committee hearings and freedom of information (FOI) requests should firstly have been pursued.
We have sought information through FOI requests, and can attest to unexplained delays, obfuscation, claims of exemption under executive privilege or commercial confidentiality, large parts of relevant documents being blacked out, and being forced to go through appeal processes. However, surely Barr is not suggesting that members of the Legislative Assembly
have to rely on executive processes to access basic information?
On March 18 Castley was forced, in light of the continuing refusal of the ACT and federal governments to release basic information about the light rail project, to move the following motion that in its wording highlighted the depth of the resistance of the ALP to its release.
in government and holding key ministries, the Greens were party to key information, such as the cost and benefits of light rail, being withheld from Canberrans?
For example, Canberrans remain unaware of why, in 2012, the Greens deemed a public private partnership (PPP) to be the most beneficial form of procurement and demanded its inclusion in the Parliamentary Agreement. However, there has been no disclosure of the interest costs on the borrowings for Stage 1 of the light rail project and whether they were less, or more, or the same as the rate at which the government with its AAA credit rating could have borrowed.
There has, so far as we are aware, been no post-implementation assessment of costs and benefits or the extent to which they have been incurred and realised, respectively.
In the debate, the Greens made a fair contribution to public confusion and the creation of red herrings.
They claimed, for example, that the light rail project had received more financial scrutiny than some road projects and repeated the government’s concocted concern about costs and the public service resources required to respond to the motion’s requirements.
In the end, their hand may have been forced, noting that they have claimed credit for the existence of the very standing order under which the opposition sought the documents, and as such, would presumably have found it difficult to deny a reasonable request for documents under that standing order.
That this Assembly resolves that:
(1) orders for the production of documents are an inherent power of any Westminster Parliament, including the ACT Legislative Assembly, and an essential tool by which the legislature ensures the transparency and accountability of the executive;
(2) the ACT Legislative Assembly may order the executive to produce a document and, where a document does not exist, such an order compels the executive to create and produce a document containing the information sought by the order; and
Interestingly, Barr had argued that FOI is a far more effective mechanism than the Assembly process adopted by the Liberals.
(3) there is no obligation on members to first seek information through questions without notice, questions on notice, freedom of information, or other mechanisms before seeking an order in the Assembly.
In response, Barr observed that there had been more use of Standing Order 213A in the preceding four sittings than over the last 15 years, and while acknowledging that the opposition is entitled to it, complained about the change in approach.
He reiterated that the said standing order was not intended to be a substitute for FOI, and that “there is not an army of ACT public servants sitting by, doing nothing, ready to respond to 213A requests. This will, of course, divert resources away from other activities.”
Castley’s motion was eventually passed with amendments from the government, which among other things, provided “that under standing order 213A where a document or documents is considered by the chief minister to be privileged, a claim of privilege can be made”.
We acknowledge the Greens’ commitment, albeit new-found, to transparency and open government, for without it, the motion was doomed to fail.
However, it begs the question, why over the three terms from 2012 to 2024 when they were
In a last-ditch attempt to ensure that the residents of Canberra be kept in the dark about the cost of light rail, Barr claimed executive privilege over the relevant documents, which necessitated the appointment of an independent legal arbiter, the Keith Mason AC KC, to evaluate the validity of the claims by the chief minister. He concluded, unsurprisingly, that the documents are not privileged, and that: “Each business case contains detailed estimates of the financial, environmental and social aspects and risks of a major capital project anticipated to span several years.
“Very significant sums of money are involved, placing the information at the heart of that which is of primary interest to a Legislature tasked with fiscal oversight and the appropriation of money. Nothing has been advanced to suggest any risk to the future tendering strategy.”
Interestingly, Barr had argued that FOI is a far more effective mechanism than the Assembly process adopted by the Liberals, which requires the Assembly to pay for a retired judge to make determinations on matters. We think it fanciful to suggest that an FOI process conducted by public servants would deliver the same outcome.
In a bizarre twist, Barr reportedly justified his opposition to the release of the light rail business case on the basis that he was required under the standing order to claim executive privilege – a provision he introduced himself. In other words, Barr apparently believes that a standing order which he introduced and under which the Liberals were seeking to access documents that disclosed the expenditure of public monies on light rail requires him to deny access to those documents to both members of the Legislative Assembly and the Canberra community more broadly. Bizarre, indeed.
Jon Stanhope is a former chief minister of the ACT and Dr Khalid Ahmed a former senior ACT Treasury official.
When is the chief minister going to resolve the many issues of the disgusting mess he and his Labor government have allowed to happen under their watch for a decade-plus years?
After almost 30 years in the Australian Army of continual moving/ postings around Australia and overseas deployments, my family settled in Canberra. I was proud of our “bush capital” Canberra and its cleanliness and open spaces.
Now, Canberra has become a national embarrassment due to many issues left unresolved by our ACT Labor government.
Okay, I understand the need for the future of transport for our residents from the far north of Canberra, also the further expansion of light rail to the Woden Valley hub, but the cost to the community is mind boggling, enormous!
However, some issues I have observed that should be resolved, between the chief’s cafe lattes, are:
Potholes, come on, you cannot blame the massive rains of some years ago. We pay exorbitant vehicle registration fees for such a small area bound by NSW. The cost for me this week was a replacement tyre. It was covered by insurance, but the excess is much more than the cost of a new tyre!
Weathered roads – one can now see the underseal strips. For instance, Ashley Drive southbound was resealed to perfection. However, Ashley Drive northbound, completed no doubt by a cheaper tenderer is showing wear
dose of dorin
and previous road markings are now visible and delaminating in some areas!
White line road markings in many areas are considered exceptionally dangerous to motorists especially in inclement weather/ rain/fog conditions. Without the aid of cat’s eyes it can be exceptionally difficult to negotiate the correct lane to be in.
Many pedestrian crossing marking/ strips have faded, becoming almost invisible and a danger for both pedestrians and drivers alike.
Signage is an eyesore by delamination and peeling.
The litter and rubbish on the side of our roads, in particular the Monaro Highway, has
been there for eternity.
Speed bumps are a great embuggerance, but necessary. However, the continually lifting of these “judder bars” from the road due to poor-quality workmanship causes damage to vehicles.
‘Clean Up My Street’ – when?
My heart goes out to the many Canberra businesses that are struggling to stay afloat due to the constant light rail project. Also, the Richardson Shopping Centre lies in a disgusting vandalised state of disrepair, but why?
I suggest that our chief minister drive around Canberra by day in order to witness his government’s mess.
Ross E Smith, OAM, JP, Richardson
As bad as the situation is in Gaza, columnist Robert Macklin’s claim that Israelis “are bent on starving the Gazans to death” is false (“Fear when the ‘antisemitism’ bat starts swinging”, CN May 29).
If Israel was bent on genocide, as Hamas propaganda claims, the IDF would have razed Gaza in 2023.
Robert, like so many commentators, brushes over the hostage dynamic and Hamas tactic of using Gazans as human shields. This morass looks bleaker every day; simplistic anti-Israeli posturing only prolongs the horror by heartening Hamas.
Peter Robinson, Ainslie Wait one
The answer to columnist Robert Macklin’s final question is, yes (“Fear when the ‘antisemitism’ bat starts swinging”, CN May 29). Fifty per cent of Australia is under native title with a further 12 per cent pending. How would Australia today look if the British hadn’t laid the foundations for what we enjoy now? They brought many modern technologies such as roads, bridges, ships, automobiles, modern medicine, hospitals, industry, schools, shops, airports, communication networks, etcetera.
Has Macklin got proof that the Aboriginals settled every part of it for 65,000 years?
That is a big statement for a reasonably small population in such a large landmass, most of it inhospitable.
Macklin states he regards all religions as dangerous fables. How come we never hear him write anything bad about radical Islamists who preach such hate and vile against the people he seems to have it in for, the Israeli Jews?
Maybe he could adopt the motto he is so fond of: “the behaviour you walk by is the behaviour you accept”.
Oh dear, wait one minute, is that antisemitic?
Ian Pilsner, Weston
Donald Trump’s tariff policies, cuts to foreign aid, demonising of refugees, gutless response to the atrocities of Putin and the Netanyahu government have diminished America’s stranding the world.
His rhetoric of making America great again is code for making he and his billionaire cronies even richer. Any attempts to address disadvantage by improving the health and welfare systems are dismissed as Socialism, while any criticism is called fake news or coming from very nasty and stupid people.
God help America and the world to survive this ignorant and incompetent autocrat.
Mike Quirk, Garran
So the Greens have elected Larissa Waters to their top job.
I hope she does a better job than Adam Bandt who inflicted Lydia Thorpe on us for six years, rookie Max Chandler-Mather and multi-milliondollar property owner Mehreen Faruqi who famously wanted to chop down 20 trees in prime koala habitat to build double-storey townhouses on her property!
Apart from that, Waters has refused to comment on whether Hamas should be abolished or not and led a boycott and walkout of taxpayer-paid Green senators from question time when they are paid big salaries to attend parliament.
As an ex-Green supporter, when the party was led by Bob Brown, I never voted Greens again after he left and am not likely to until it returns to its environmental roots and gets rid of parliamentary members who were selected by Bandt to boost his numbers rather than on merit.
A number of these members have already left, such as Lydia Thorpe and Senator Cox, and I expect more to leave for reasons of self-interest.I saw enough of this after working for a number of years on ATSIC under my minister at the time, Senator Bob Collins.
Ric Hingee, Duffy
Re letter from Murray May (CN May 5): I would like to know how the Medical Journal of Australia article in 2023 can claim the number of deaths in the ACT are attributable to wood heaters similar to the 2019-2020 Black Summer bushfires? This is complete nonsense.
I have lived in Canberra for over 40 years and have never seen the pollution anything like that of those bushfires.
How do they know that some of the deaths were maybe caused by smoking, or from the indigenous smoking ceremonies where they waft the smoke and breathe deeply over the fire.
Vi Evans via email
John L Smith is right to be worried about cyberattacks on energy systems (“Infrastructure vulnerable to cyber attack”, letters, CN June 5).
Three years ago, the energy sector broke into the top 10 ranking of Australia’s most attacked targets. However, attacks in Australia have involved the exposure of customer data rather than blackouts. Even the 2021 ransomware attack on CS Energy in Queensland did not lead to a blackout because the company isolated the affected servers, ensuring electricity supply continued uninterrupted.
It should be noted that many of Australia’s older technologies were not designed with cybersecurity in mind, and they lack the modern security features that are built into newer systems.
According to the report Cyber Security and Energy Networks, security is a core focus of the Electricity Network Transformation Roadmap being developed by Energy Networks Australia and the CSIRO. In summary, while synthetic inertia technology does have cyber risk due to its reliance on digital and networked systems, with proper cybersecurity standards and practices, it can be secured to a level comparable to other grid technologies. Its advantages in stabilising modern power systems make securing it a priority rather than avoiding it.
Ray Peck, Hawthorn, Victoria
Year, singer/songwriter and public servant Fred Smith was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to music and foreign affairs.
Governor-General Sam Mostyn said the King’s Birthday 2025 Honours List recognised 830 Australians, including awards in the Order of Australia (General and Military Divisions), meritorious awards and recognition for distinguished and conspicuous service. This represented an increase of awardees of almost 30 per cent since the Australia Day 2025 awards list.
“I am delighted to congratulate all those recognised in The King’s Birthday 2025 Honours List,” she said. “These honours recognise the selfless service, integrity, achievement, creativity, and care that flourish across our country.
“As your Governor-General, I see the values of care, kindness and respect in the many Australians who are honoured today, and in those who have been recognised throughout the 50-year history of our Australian honours system.”
Local recipients of Order of Australia honours include:
Companion of the Order of Australia (AC)
Professor Stuart Mark Howden, ACT, for eminent service to environmental science, to the global response on climate change and adaptation, to agriculture, and to tertiary education.
Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)
Mr Roger Leo Franzen, Oxley, for distinguished service to the space sector, to complex systems engineering, and to aerospace and satellite communications technology.
Mr Thomas Joseph Rogers, Forrest, for distinguished service to public administration, and leadership and administration of Australia’s democratic electoral system.
OAM , Bungendore, NSW, for significant service to contemporary dance as a director, performer and teacher.
Ms Christine Ann Faulks, Forrest, for significant service to education, to business, and to the community.
Emeritus Professor Anthony Hearle Johns, Ainslie, for significant service to tertiary education, particularly to language and culture.
Professor Raymond William Lovett , ACT, for significant service to indigenous health and research as an epidemiologist.
Dr Rolf Guenther Oberprieler, ACT, for significant service to entomology, particularly as an insect systematist.
Mr Neville Robert Tomkins OAM , Aranda, for significant service to youth through leadership roles in the Scouting movement, and to the community.
Mr Michael Llewellyn Young, McKellar, for significant service to the project management industry, and to hockey
Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
The late Mrs Georgia Alexandrou, ACT, for service to the Greek and Cypriot communities of Canberra.
Dr David Bagnall, O’Connor, for service to rowing.
Ms Nanette Jane Bak , ACT, for service to the community of Canberra
Mr Malcolm Henry Barlow, Stirling, for service to local government, the environment, and to education.
Emeritus Professor John Adrian Carver, Ainslie, for service to science in the fields of chemistry and biochemistry.
Dr Edward Peter Chapman, ACT, for service to medicine in Otorhinolaryngology.
Mr David Ian Cocking, Hawker, for service to youth through Scouts, and to sport.
Dr Mandy Evans, ACT, for service to
swimming teacher.
Mr Scott Desmond Gorringe, ACT, for service to the indigenous community, and to leadership development.
Mr Peter Granleese, ACT, for service to people who are blind or have low vision.
Mr Colin Steven Greef, Chisholm, for service to veterans, and to the community.
Mr Hieu Huy Hoang, ACT, for service to the community of Canberra.
Mr Terence Maloon, ACT, for service to the museums and galleries sector.
Mrs Clare Veronica McGrath, ACT, for service to community safety.
Mr Iain Campbell (Fred) Smith, O’Connor, for service to music and foreign affairs.
Dr John Dennis Vinen, former Director of Medical Services, Calvary Hospital, Canberra, for service to emergency medicine.
Mr Nigel Bruce Webster, Fisher, for service to child safety, and to veterans.
Ms Kirsten Anne Williams, ACT, for service to the arts through music.
Public Service Medal (PSM) Federal
Ms Philippa Jane Brown, Mawson, for outstanding public service in fiscal policy leadership.
Ms Bina Chandra , ACT, for outstanding public service in the delivery of property outcomes, both nationally and internationally.
Ms Robin Edmonds, ACT, for outstanding public service for the co-founding of the Australian Public Sector Neurodiversity Community of Practice.
Dr Bridget Gilmour-Walsh, ACT, for outstanding public service in
NSW, for outstanding public service in leadership and delivering complex information and communication technology solutions in the delivery of Medicare services.
Ms Kylie Wright , ACT, for outstanding public service in the establishment of the Australia, UK and US licence-free environment.
Emergency Services Medal Federal
Ms Julia Joanna Rozycka for distinguished service as a member of an Australian emergency service.
8.30pm-9.30pm
In this third column on the effects of zoning on ‘missing middle’ dwellings – duplexes, dual occupancies, townhouses and low-rise apartments – planning columnist MIKE QUIRK looks at land values and housing affordability.
A major objective of the zoning reforms announced by the government on May 20 is to increase the supply of affordable housing in established areas.
But will the reforms provide sufficient affordable dwellings with designs that meet the needs of occupants?
Auckland is often used as the poster child of those advocating upzoning. In 2016 three quarters of its suburban area was upzoned, which resulted in an increase in dwelling construction and a fall in rents.
However it has been suggested the fall in prices was influenced by the cyclical nature of markets and recent higher population growth has led to rents increasing faster than the national average. A downside has been a haphazard development pattern that has been difficult to efficiently service.
The cost of the housing is a product of land values (partly influenced by zoning) and construction costs including profit margins and govern -
ment charges.
Zoning does influence the variety and availability of housing in established areas but provision is also the outcome of other factors including underlying demand, cost of finance, labour and materials; design and construction quality; price, land values; and the lower appreciation in values of higher density dwellings when compared to detached houses.
Will two-storey flat development result in increased supply and affordability?
Under current zoning, the economics of development have led to few affordable dual-occupancy dwellings, terraces or low-rise apartments being developed.
Will reforms such as the possibility of two-storey flat development, the ability to develop on blocks as small as 600sqm and to subdivide, result in a substantially increased supply and affordability?
Upzoning will increase the value of land with the largest increases in areas of high accessibility. In doing so it delivers windfall gains to existing property owners.
To improve the financial viabil-
ity of missing-middle projects it is sometimes argued the lease variation charge (LVC) be reduced or removed. Its removal may widen the housing choice of the reasonably affluent, but would do little to address the housing needs of many lower and middle-income households, including those with children, who have little choice but to live in unsuitable higher density dwelling.
Given the level of housing need and the undersupply of social housing it would be perverse to use the LVC, intended to recoup some of the increase in land values for the community, to subsidise the housing choice of relatively well-off households.
If the provision of affordable housing is the aim, the policy focus should be on constructing social housing,
overcoming labour and material shortages, reducing taxation concessions, lowering construction costs through innovations such as manufactured housing, avoiding policies that stimulate demand and improving the design and quality of redevelopment dwellings. More action is needed from all levels of government.
The housing affordability problem is extreme. The Grattan Institute estimated in Canberra the median dwelling price increased from 3.1 times median household incomes in 2001 to 6.1 times in 2024. Homelessness has increased and the number of social housing dwellings fell between 2012 and 2024, despite an increase in the population of more than 90,000.
ACTCOSS in 2022 estimated there was a shortfall of 3100 social housing and 2400 affordable rental dwellings.
The massive decrease in housing affordability since 2001 has limited the tenure, locational and dwelling choices available especially to the most disadvantaged.
The Anglicare 2025 Rental Affordability Snapshot found nationally only three of 51,238 rental listings were within the reach of somebody on Jobseeker allowance and less than one per cent were affordable on the full-time minimum wage.
The root cause of the housing crisis is the use of housing as a vehicle for wealth creation. This can be effec -
tively addressed by reform of negative gearing and capital gains taxes and consideration of an inheritance tax. The concessions represent revenue forgone each year in the tens of billions of dollars. The absence of a capital gains tax on the family home encourages the development of larger and more resource intensive homes. Commonwealth rent assistance payments have exploded in response to the high rent increases.
Most voters will not support reforms that reduce their wealth. Even modest reforms such as grandfathering and limiting investment properties to one or two dwellings have experienced strong resistance. By default, improving housing supply is the policy focus. If past performance is a guide, (eg since self-government the public housing share of the housing stock in the ACT has fallen from 12 to under 6 per cent), funding will be insufficient.
Some additional funds could arise if governments divert funds from less urgent projects (light rail in the ACT context). Without major taxation reform, insufficient housing will be provided.
Those in greatest housing need deserve more than crumbs from the rich man’s table.
Mike Quirk is a former NCDC and ACT government planner.
The name of Woden Valley is said to have been taken from the name of a nearby homestead owned by a James Murray, who named his home in October 1837 after the Old English god of wisdom, Woden. However, historian Harold Koch considers that the name may have its origins in the Aboriginal word for possum, either wadyan or wadhan, influenced in interpretation by the term known to English speakers of “Woden”. Woden’s urban development began in 1962, a
year before its first residents arrived in 1963. Initially planned as a series of 10 suburbs, Hughes, Curtin, Chifley and Lyons were among the first built. Twelve suburbs now call Woden home.
According to the 2021 census, there were a total of 39,279 people living in the Woden Valley, of which there were 10,505 families.
Woden Valley was planned as a satellite city, with its own shopping centre, employment opportunities and suburbs located around the town centre.
• Extensive range of shoes for Runners, Joggers, Walkers and Gym enthusiasts of all ages
• Brands include Asics, Brooks, Nike, New Balance, Mizuno, Saucony, Hoka and On
• Great range of technical running apparel which breathes (wicks moisture) all year round
• Extensive range of nutrition products from Endura, GU, Hammer and Tailwind
Specialising in massage for people with cancer, anxiety, in recovery or in palliative care, Deakin Wellbeing House owner Nim Osborne has been practising massage therapy for more than 15 years.
A member of the Australasian Lymphology Association (ALA) and an accredited lymphoedema practitioner, Nim says her training in complex physical therapy for the assessment and management of lymphoedema is supported by her background in remedial, pregnancy and oncology massage.
“My training and background provide me with the knowledge and skills to assist people who are in pre and post-treatment for cancer, or other similar conditions,” she says.
“This includes people recovering post-surgery conditions that may have affected their lymphatic system.
“This is observed through swelling of the limbs and may require a medical practitioner’s referral for post-surgery treatment.”
Retiring from her 20-year public service career 10 years ago, Nim reskilled into health and wellbeing, something she
always had a passion about.
Nim now wants to pass that knowledge on and is conducting weekend workshops in her Woden clinic.
These workshops are designed for people to care for their
families through basic massage techniques.
Deakin Wellbeing House, Unit 12, 40 Corinna Street, Phillip. Call 0412 885804 or visit deakinwellbeinghouse.com.au
Curtin Optical stocks a wide range of eyewear and accessories, says owner Corey Nicholls.
Having been a part of the Curtin com munity for 30 years, he says Curtin Optical has three experienced optometrists available for appointments from Mondays to Fridays.
“We cater to all tastes – from budget to well-known brands,” says Corey.
Curtin Optical also offers mobile optical dispensing services – spectacle selections and deliveries to the elderly or people unable to come into the store due to disability, he says.
“This includes spectacle repairs and adjustments, and an after-hours service,” says Corey.
“In addition, Curtin Optical offers an express service for those who have lost or broken their spectacles (Rx dependent).
“Curtin Optical’s in-store services can of fer a same-day turnaround and its mobile jobs have a 24-hour turnaround.”
Corey says its independence from large chains gives customers a more personal ised service.
He says they are also providers to the ACT pension scheme and DVA, with Curtin Optical offering a 10 per cent discount to ACT Seniors Card holders on complete spectacles, when their card is presented at ordering.
Curtin Optical. Shop 1B, Curtin Place, Curtin. Call 6281 1220 or visit curtinoptical.com.au
• We stock all brands which include Resmed, Philips, Fisher and Paykel Healthcare, Transcend, BMC
• Rental of CPAP machines, Masks and Nightshif t devices
• Reviews and Repair s of CPAP machines
• Batter y and Travel Options available
• Sleep health Foundation approved. Only company in ACT
Travel CPAP Machines • CPAP Machines Por table Oxygen Concentrator s Nasal Masks • Nasal Direct Masks • Full Face Masks
Benchmark Sleep Ser vices the premier supplier for the provisions of CPAP machines, masks and oxygen concentrator s in Canberra.
By Jackie WARBURTON
The Kurrajong bag moth has been prevalent this season.
The green caterpillars group together in summer and autumn. They protect themselves by rolling a shelter of leaves with silk until a mass is formed.
The caterpillars shelter during the day and emerge at night to feed on young fresh foliage leaving skeletonised leaves behind.
While they can cause damage to Kurrajongs (Brachychiton populneus), they won’t kill the tree, a tough and hardy native to eastern Australia. Affected trees usually recover.
The caterpillar is small – only about two centimetres long – and emerges
into a bright yellow adult moth with black zig-zag lines on its wings. They are nocturnally attractive to light, so ensuring there are no night lights around the Kurrajong tree can limit them.
All Kurrajong species can be affected, with the most damage occurring in the Kurrajong tree (B.populneus) and the Queensland bottle tree (B.rupestris). Both of these slow-growing trees can be seen at the National Arboretum. They are now a good size and don’t seem to have been affected by the moth.
The Kurrajong tree can also be seen in local bushland.
To grow a Kurrajong: the seeds are ripe when the pods are dry and begin to open. Seeds can be soaked in lukewarm water overnight and placed in seed-raising mix and kept in a warm place to germinate, which can take up to four weeks in optimum growing conditions.
Putting small seedlings in pots benefits their growth and ensures the root system is not disturbed to keep them growing fast.
Once a small plant is a good size they can be planted into the ground. They have very invasive root systems, so ensure they are away from the foundations of buildings or water pipes.
They can also be a little fickle to grow and need a good amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium to grow well. If stressed, they drop their leaves in summer or if their water intake is diminished for survival.
The flowers are beautiful bellshaped petals that are attractive to all birds and pollinators.
On rare occasions there can be a parasitic mistletoe that can live off this tree and will take over if given the chance.
The mistletoe foliage and flowers are different from the Kurrajong. They are easily identifiable and should be removed when seen or the mistletoe may kill the tree.
WITH most trees and shrubs dormant, there is little colour in the garden. But the vegetable patch can be a vibrant space by growing edible, ornamental kale.
Popular with florists, these small plants are biannual, that is they
grow the first year and set seed the second year. They like to grow in colder climates and will bolt to seed once the weather warms.
Another advantage of growing these plants in the winter time is that the cabbage moth is not around, so no spraying of netting is needed. Ornamental kale has frilly, ruffled leaves. Green kale, with broad, flat leaves, is a little more palatable than its counterpart. A little bitter to the taste, ornamental kale is generally used as a garnish for winter dishes. To combat this, the leaves can be softened by massaging them with lemon to break down the texture, making them easier to chew and less bitter.
jackwar@home.netspeed.com.au
• Apple, pear and pome trees can be pruned now.
• Prepare soils for tree plant- ing in the next few months.
• Divide rhubarb and replant.
• Plant wallflowers for late winter colour.
By Helen Musa
When the curtain rose on the new Canberra Theatre on June 24, 1965, the public was dazzled by flags, floodlights and fanfares as a crowd of VIPs crammed in to see Minister for the Interior Doug Anthony launch Australia’s first multipurpose theatre centre.
Apart from the razzle-dazzle, there was a gala performance by the Australian Ballet, supported by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, of Act II from Petipa’s Swan Lake and The Display devised by Robert Helpmann.
Now, in an act of nostalgia mixed with theatrical savvy, the theatre has engaged the flagship ballet company once more to perform in its 60th gala season in late June.
But with its assertively modern production of Carmen, audiences
chest and arms and a lot of forward aggressive movements, contrasting with the women.
But Ogai is not about to whitewash the character of Carmen, who is often as aggressive as the men.
a new Playhouse in 1998, that part of the complex also housed an art gallery and a popular restaurant.
From the outset, the theatre effectively replaced Albert Hall as the city’s main civic focal point and that’s
theatre for concerts and it also served as a cinema before the 1970s.
Proof that the theatre is still “owned” by the public, he believes, was seen at the recent open day when 5000 Canberrans packed in to
In the immediate future, the 60th
celebrations roll on with several Naidoc Week related shows – the rock ‘n’ roll theatre extravaganza Big Name, No Blankets celebrating Sammy Tjapanangka Butcher of the Warumpi Band, Daniel Riley’s Australian Dance Theatre’s Marrow and Bangarra Dance Theatre’s Illume.
By Helen Musa
A 19-year-old Canberra jazz singer is well on her way to success, with a scholarship and a place at the noted Eastman School of Music in upstate New York.
Matilda Lorenz leaves town in late July to settle into campus accommodation in Rochester, not far from the Canadian border, but not before she performs a gig blending traditional jazz sounds with fusion and soul, alongside four of Canberra’s most respected jazz instrumentalists, Lachlan Coventry, guitar; Chris Pound, bass; Luke Glanville, drums and John Mackey, saxophone.
Originally from Germany, Lorenz grew up in Germany and Austria, but came to Canberra when her mum, a social scientist, took a job at the ANU.
When I catch up with her at the School of Music coffee shop, it’s clear the excitement of being accepted into Eastman has not abated. The scholarship pays most of her tuition but she’ll have to pay the costs of living, she tells me, and the Bank of Mum will come in handy.
This four-year degree will be her first and she describes her trajectory to getting the Eastman place as “a crazy story” that began when she grew up as a child listening to American jazz singer Sara Gazarek.
“My mother was a jazz pianist so I was
singing and had good pitch.”
At age nine when visiting New York, her mum heard that Gazarek was performing at a jazz club and took her there.
“I remember it, I was speechless, I thought, this is what I want to do. Mum asked her if she did vocal lessons and she did.”
But geography meant that it never happened.
Meantime at age 11, Lorenz taught herself to play piano and read music, and, around the same age, living in Vienna, took jazz singing lessons from Austrian vocalist Deniz Malatyali, who taught her that emotional connection is the most important thing.
At that stage she was singing mostly jazz standards, but she also liked Afro music, blues and anything that affected her rhythmically.
“My faves were Bye-Bye Blackbird and soul, mostly Aretha,” she says.
At the beginning of this year, she got tertiary offers from ANU and Berlin but, uncertain what to do, she emailed Gazarek for advice. A Zoom meeting followed, in which Gazarek said she should apply to Eastman, where she was heading up a new jazz vocal degree likely to be the best such course in the US, one with a new focus on creativity in singing.
“I missed the deadline but she put me straight through,” Lorenz says, adding that the subsequent audition involved singing but also talking for an hour.
By this time, she was studying in the jazz stream at the ANU while playing gigs around town, where she found a “big sense of community” and had impressed the faculty, so when the word got round that she’d got a place at Eastman, they rallied.
Sax player and ANU School Music faculty member John Mackey says that when he first heard her he thought: “Wow, she’s got a real feeling for the music.”
“When I heard she’d got a scholarship to Eastman I thought it would be nice to send her off before she leaves and good for her profile to play with professionals,” he says.
Matilda Lorenz Quintet, Smith’s Alternative, Civic, June 17.
By Helen Musa
dren’s Choir and Luminescence Chamber Singers, who will together celebrate the artist-led vocal organisation’s 10th birthday. Joined by mentor Roland Peelman and pianist Sally Whitwell, the gala concert at Albert Hall on June 15 will premiere a new work by Elena Kats-Chernin.
Canberra Rep presents Lucas Hnath’s sequel to Henrik Ibsen’s most notorious play in A Doll’s House, Part 2. Directed by the ubiquitous Joel Horwood, it sees Nora Helmer, 15 years after slamming the door on her husband and kids in A Doll’s House, back in a modern piece of theatrical fan-fiction that stars Lainie Hart as Nora. Canberra Rep Theatre, Acton, June 12-28.
Inspired by historical events, a blistering fire ignites between the steely Queen Mother and her children’s doting nanny in Melanie Tait’s new black comedy drama, The Queen’s Nanny. It’s loosely based on the memoir of Marion “Crawfie” Crawford, governess to Princesses Lilibet and Margaret Rose, until she is ostracised without warning. The Playhouse, June 19-21.
Now in its 19th year, Step into the Lime -
staged across all the gallery spaces at M16 Artspace, Griffith, until June 29.
StoryFest, Milton-Ulladulla’s storytelling festival, returns with Aussie authors, journalists, musicians, chefs, poets, broadcasters and thinkers. Headliners include Richard Glover and Markus Zusak, but also Toby Walsh, the worldleading AI expert and winner of the Eureka Prize for Promoting Understanding of Science. All around Milton-Ulladulla, June 19-22.
Celebrating Cuban music as a world of rhythm, soul and innovation, soprano Ayşe Göknur Shanal, cellist Karella Mitchell, percussionist Jess Ciampa and pianist Cheryl Oxley plan to stir up a storm in a concert simply titled, Cuba. Wesley Music Centre, June 15.
An exhibition of prints and poetry by the late Kevin Gilbert recalls the First Nations artist, writer and activist, beginning in what would have been his 92nd year, with lino prints, poetry and photography created during his lifetime. Tuggeranong Arts Centre, June 13-August 9.
It took a cool $4 million to fit out the gorgeous-looking restaurant at Murrumbateman’s Shaw Estate, and the massive space is picture-perfect with views of a small dam and new vineyard plantings.
Both refined and relaxed, the restaurant focuses on a Mediterranean-inspired culinary experience.
We made matters easy by ordering banquets ($79 a person). All dishes are the same except the first banquet has two meat dishes as mains and the second banquet two veggie dishes as mains.
First was soft, fluffy focaccia, enjoyed with a whipped ricotta and lemon dip, and a Tuscan broad bean dip. We loved the small dish of silky olive oil and sweet balsamic.
Arancini was next, well prepared with punchy sundried tomatoes marrying well with creamy goats’ cheese for a beautifully more-ish dish.
The caprese salad was stunning in its appearance and taste – gorgeous slices of ripe heirloom tomatoes plated with large slices of mozzarella. Fresh basil leaves added taste and colour.
The meat banquet featured a tasty and tender flank steak, artfully sliced on a bed of vibrant rocket and topped with thinly shaved parmesan.
Lamb ragu and ribbon-shaped pasta was the second “meat main”. The menu promised citrus, which was hard to detect, and more lamb, please.
The winning dish was the large, stuffed pasta shells, a feast for the eyes. Spinach and ricotta are a great combination and the Neapolitan sauce was well executed.
The tiramisu was exciting – creamy, moist, boozy and decadent.
Shaw Wines’ top drops feature – at pleasantly reasonable prices – but other wineries are avail -
While the Doma Hotel Group is running operations, its extensive hospitality experience wasn’t consistently on show. While we had booked, we were seated late and then waited patiently for someone to bring us menus and a wine list. Forty minutes had now ticked by.
The serving of the banquet dishes was confusing. A clearer explanation was needed on how matters would work, especially since a few of our party ordered the vegetarian banquet and the rest the meat banquet. It took too much effort for us to move dishes around, so people got what
bill could be split evenly and were told yes. But after waiting for yonks, we were presented with individual bills with random differing amounts. Eventually, management was called to sort matters out. We were then told that splitting bills wasn’t an option. We waited once more while everything was recalculated as one total. Frustrating.
In the meantime, our poor bus driver waited outside… Thankfully, he was patient.
One of the best ways to finish a meal that I’ve experienced was in Rheims, France in the 1980s where, despite dining solo, I had the degustation menu.
The waiter recommended I finish with a glass of aged Moet & Chandon Marc de Champagne. It is similar to brandy but clear as water. The Marc de Champagne is in fact the distillation of the grapes already pressed to make champagne. The grapes are de-stemmed, left to ferment and then distilled. The Moet & Chandon is matured in oak casks for several years. My strong recollection is that it tasted smooth and mouth filling, clean yet powerful. It was the perfect end to a meal.
Plus, this is a good way to use the remnants of wine making. It takes about 1.2 kilograms of grapes to produce a standard 750ml bottle of wine and after the grapes are processed, about 20 per cent of that weight remains in the form of grape skins, seeds and stems known as pomace.
On my recent trip to Greece, I came across a product that is also the result of distilling the marc or grape pomace. At an olive oil retailer in central Athens, where we tasted three different types of extra virgin olive oil, we were offered a small glass of tsipouro from
Macedonia as a way to clean our palates at the end of the tasting session.
This is an un-aged brandy and is around 40 alcohol by volume, the same ABV as Marc de Champagne but often distilled twice. It was slightly bitter and fiery. The proprietor of the shop told us that it was usually made without ad ditions, but sometimes aromatic plants are added or anise that gives it a similar flavour to ouzo.
The next time we came across a brandy made from pomade was in Rethymno, Crete. At the end of a meal in a harbourside restaurant, we were of fered, free, a small piece of strawberry cheesecake and a glass of what was referred to as raki.
Even though the locals called it raki, Turkey has trademarked that name and the official title is tsik oudia, which is once-distilled pomace compared with the usually twice-distilled tsipouro.
Again this distillation was 40 per cent ABV and it was a good way of cleaning the palate after the sticky cheesecake, although it was wobble making when departure from the restaurant was required.
Part of the tour was a farm visit. We wended our way up narrow Cretan roads, thanking the heavens for the skill of the bus driver, and we visited a working farm where the farmer showed me and two others on the tour how to milk a goat.
With the newly made cheese from the goat I’d helped milk and rusk-like dried bread, the farmer’s mother produced a jug of dark orange-coloured liquid that she poured into small glasses. This was not orangeade. It was the
farm-produced tsikoudia (which they and the translator called raki) infused with a plant that we were told was similar to the geranium but gave a sweet lingering flavour to the liquor and settled down the fire in the brandy and gave it a pleasant albeit slightly medicinal flavour.
It was the best of the drinks made from pomace that I tried on the tour. The best arises in unexpected places. But even this homemade effort was a pale shadow of the Marc de Champagne.
When the world was gripped by the OceanGate disaster in 2023 the comments about a Netflix documentary had already begun ringing out across social media.
People just knew that the streaming giant would undeniably be among the first to jump on making a film or series about the strange and sad saga of the doomed submarine.
Boy, were those comments accurate.
Just over two years on from the day the Titan submersible disappeared while on an expedition to the Titanic, a documentary has already made its way into the Netflix catalogue.
It’s called Titan: The OceanGate Disaster and it promises to dive deep into new detail about how the catastrophic endeavour went so wrong and why.
But Netflix might not have been quite quick enough to the punch his time around.
A BBC2 documentary called Implosion: The Titanic Sub Disaster cheekily aired in late May, getting ahead of Netflix’s documentary release by just a few weeks.
Which is the more authoritative account of the disaster?
While BBC’s doco has been released first, Netflix’s almost doubles it in length and, in turn, does offer a more comprehensive look into the tragedy for those who want as much detail as possible.
Winding back the clock a few years, it also takes an up-close look at the psyche of
OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, the man who infamously went down with the ship.
It turns out there’s a lot more to this story than what’s already out there, making the doco’s tag line “the deeper you look the darker it gets” pretty spot on.
UNMISSABLE on Disney Plus this month is David Attenborough’s epic new documentary Ocean.
In it, the 99-year-old naturalist has delivered one of the most awe-inspiring looks at the underwater world ever put to screen.
What sets Ocean apart though is its focus on unsustainable fishing that is devastating marine environments.
For the first time, cameras have captured the destruction caused by trawling and the results are frightening, to say the least.
In a behind-the-scenes interview that was included in the cinematic release of the film, one of the cameramen comments on how the footage of this trawling will do more for the conservation effort than anything else they’ve shot before.
It’s an urgent and powerful message. Attenborough puts forward a sensible argument not to eliminate industrial fishing but to rethink its boundaries. Even if you’re unable to watch the documentary on Disney Plus, the bottom trawling is still worth a watch on YouTube. It only takes a minute and
it’s absolutely eye opening. With Attenborough about to hit 100 years old there’s a good chance Ocean may be his swan song. If it is, there couldn’t be a more important film for it.
IS there any modern actor more synonymous with playing gangsters than Tom Hardy?
Lawless, Legend, Peaky Blinders. These are to name just a few of the films and TV shows where he’s played the players of
criminal underworlds.
Hell, he was even cast as Al Capone in the 2020 biopic about the most notorious gangsters of all time.
It’s no surprise then that Hardy is front and centre of Paramount Plus’ new series MobLand, which has proved a streaming hit.
He’s cast as Harry Da Souza, a middle man called into mediate a gang war threatening to spiral out of control in modern-day
The fuse is lit when Eddie, the son of an Irish crime dynasty patriarch, is stabbed at a nightclub by a rival mob.
Now it’s Harry’s job to navigate the brewing tension and power struggle that ensues.
Doubling down on the talent, the creative direction of MobLand is in the safe hands of Guy Ritchie. If you don’t recognise his name, you might recognise his work. The Gentleman, Sherlock Holmes and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels are just a few examples.
The pairing of him and Hardy has proven a powerhouse success for Paramount Plus. MobLand managed to rack up almost nine million viewers in its first week alone. Well deserved.
‘Although Chalk and Cheese has strong comedic elements, this timely novel explores issues uniquely faced by the elderly.’ –Nigel Marsh, Smart, Stupid & Sixty
Ross Fitzgerald and Ian McFadyen’s powerful new fiction, Chalk and Cheese, is a tale of two 80-year-old former radio stars, Bill and Ben, who hate each other, but who end up in the same nursing home. Published by Hybrid Publishers
9781922768469
$24.99
www.hybridpublishers.com.au
By Joanne Madeline Moore
June 16-22, 2025
ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)
Mighty Mars (your boss planet) moves into fussy Virgo on Tuesday so you’ll find the more disciplined and diligent you are, the better the week will be. Then the Sun transits into your home zone on Saturday, when it’s a good time to focus on home and hearth, domestic matters and your blood relatives or family of choice. Whatever projects you tackle this week, make sure you complete tasks properly before embarking on exciting new ventures.
TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 21)
This week neighbourhood activities and local connections are favoured as the Sun, Mercury and Jupiter encourage you to be more community minded. Don’t let stubbornness, false Taurus pride or silly misunderstandings stop you from taking a giant leap forward when it comes to love, forgiveness and generosity. With Venus transiting through your sign, accept the opportunity for healing and connection with outstretched arms and an open heart.
GEMINI (May 22 – June 21)
The focus is on financial matters as the Sun, Mercury and Jupiter activate your money zone and your spontaneous spending gene. Which is okay – as long as you have the cashflow to fund a shopping spree. If you don’t, then you’ll have to entertain yourself in more frugal ways. Friends and finances are a particularly messy mix, so strive to keep the two well-separated. Sunday’s Mars/Jupiter link favours proactive communication and keeping busy, especially at home.
CANCER (June 22 – July 23)
This week Saturn and Neptune square Jupiter (in your sign), so be aware that all is not as it seems (especially involving a professional matter or a work colleague). Jupiter and the Sun (moving into Cancer on Saturday) encourage you to jump out of your comfort zone, shake off bad habits, embrace opportunities and fast-track changes. As birthday great Nicole Kidman observes: “Life has got all those twists and turns. You’ve got to hold on tight and off you go.”
LEO (July 24 – Aug 23)
Are you impatient for excitement and success? Awesome opportunities are circling around you, but they’re not immediately obvious. They are hidden in unexpected places, waiting for you to discover them. Ambitious, creative Cats love to spring into immediate action but – at the moment – some of your best work will be done quietly, behind the scenes. Others may not notice what you’re currently doing but your efforts will be rewarded in the months ahead.
VIRGO (Aug 24 – Sept 23)
Dynamic Mars barnstorms through your sign from Tuesday until August 6, so it’s time to be bold, brave, and passionately proactive! The stars also encourage educational matters, travel, international connections and local networking. But don’t let yourself be deceived by fake news, sidetracked by dubious friends, or distracted by empty promises. Keep your eyes wide open and your feet firmly planted on the ground. Sunday favours being physically active.
LIBRA (Sept 24 – Oct 23)
Librans are clever and capable but are you confident enough for big-time success? This week the Sun joins Mercury and Jupiter in your career zone, so step up and assume a leadership role as you network and socialise with your extended peer group, and mix business with plenty of pleasure. But your deft diplomatic skills may be required to sort out a messy misunderstanding (especially on Monday and Thursday). Sunday is all about rest and relaxation.
SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 22)
This week Venus transits through your relationship zone – which highlights love, romance, companionship, consultation and creative joint ventures. And Mars moves into your peer group zone – which favours socialising and networking. Then it’s the Solstice on Saturday – the shortest day of the year (in the southern hemisphere) and the longest day (in the northern hemisphere). So, make sure you spend quality time sharing the day with someone special.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23 – Dec 21)
Most fiery Sagittarians are spontaneous folk. But this week you need to carefully consider the consequences of what you do and say. If you act in haste – without all the relevant facts at hand – then you could find yourself deep in a disagreement or a messy misunderstanding (especially with a child, teenager, lover or friend). Sunday’s super Mars/Jupiter link favours sport and travel, and boosts confidence and optimism, so make the most of it!
CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 20)
It’s not all about you this week, Capricorn! The Sun joins Mercury and Jupiter in your partnership zone, so the focus is firmly on relationships of the romantic, platonic and business variety. It’s time to walk around in the shoes of others for a while. Be inspired by birthday great, actress Meryl Streep (who turns 76 on Sunday): “The great gift of human beings is that we have the power of empathy.” Sunday favours travelling with loved ones.
AQUARIUS (Jan 21 – Feb 19)
This week’s stars affect your communication and work zones, so steer clear of a smooth operator who could lead you up the primrose path to trouble. Check all news, proposals and information carefully. If something sounds too good to be true, then turn around and start walking in the opposite direction! And ask a trusted colleague for a second opinion. It is a good week to eat well, exercise often and make relaxation a daily priority. Balance is the key.
PISCES (Feb 20 – Mar 20)
Piscean plans could be turned upside down as nebulous Neptune (your patron planet) squares Jupiter and throws unrealistic expectations and confusing misunderstandings into the mix. Especially involving financial matters, children, creativity and/or friends. Don’t let other people lead you astray, and don’t let selfdoubt stymie your confidence and derail your dreams. There are serious Saturn lessons to be learned, so learn them quickly and then move on.
Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2025
1 Name a kind of celestial being. (6) 7 Bib and brace refers to which item of clothing? (8)
8 What is a superior grade of morocco, used for book binding? (6)
9 To thaw out, is to do what? (8) 10 To be insane is to be what? (6)
Which term describes inactivity? (8)
A male native of Edinburgh is a what? (8)
18 What was the first name of the star of the 1981 movie, Arthur? (6)
19 To be derisive, is to be what? (8)
21 Which term describes blunt in form? (6) 22 Name a reclining type of seat. (8)
(6)
1 Who is
Is it okay to leave device chargers plugged in all the time? GLEN FARIVAR explains.
are open spaces in cities? (6)
12 What is a person who leases a building to a tenant? (8)
13 What is an alternative term for briskness? (8)
15 Name a Roman statesman, orator and writer, Marcus ... (6)
16 Which term implies “three times”? (6)
17 Who is responsible for the activities of a newspaper? (6)
20 What is an authoritative decree, sanction or order? (4)
How many chargers do you own? We’re surrounded by rechargeable electronic devices – mobile phones, laptops, smart watches, headphones, e-bikes and more.
You might have a phone charger plugged in next to your bed without ever bothering to switch it off at the wall or unplugging it when not in use. The same might go for a laptop charger by your desk.
But is that risky to do? And are there hidden costs associated with leaving chargers plugged in all the time?
What’s inside a charger?
Naturally, not all chargers are the same. Depending on the application and power requirement, their internal structure can range from very simple to complex.
However, a typical charger takes in the AC (alternating current) from the wall plug and converts it to a low-voltage DC (direct current) suitable for your device’s battery.
To understand the difference between DC and AC, consider the flow of electrons in a wire. In a DC circuit, electrons move in one direction and keep rotating in the circuit. In an AC circuit, electrons don’t circulate and only move back and forth.
The reason for why we use both types of current goes a long way back, to the time when inventors Thomas Edison and Nicola Tesla battled over which type would become the default standard. Today, we are still stuck between both. Electricity is traditionally generated in AC form, but modern appliances and batteries require the DC form. This is why almost every electrical appliance comes with an AC-DC converter.
To do the conversion from AC to DC, a typical charger needs several electrical components such as a transformer, a circuit for doing the actual conversion, filtering elements to enhance the quality of output DC voltage, and control circuitry for regulation and protection.
Chargers are always consuming power
“Vampire power” is real. If you leave it plugged in, a charger will continu-
ously draw a small amount of power. Part of this power is used to keep the control and protection circuits running while the rest is lost as heat.
When we look at an individual small charger, the vampire power – also known as standby power – is negligible. However, if you add up all the chargers in your home for various devices, over time the wasted energy can be significant. Standby power is not exclusive to chargers, either; other electronic devices such as TVs draw a little bit of standby power, too. Depending on how many things you leave plugged in, over the course of the year it could amount to several kilowatt hours.
That said, modern chargers are designed to minimise standby power consumption. These chargers come with smart power management components that keep them in sleep mode until an external device attempts to draw power.
There are other risks, too
Chargers wear out over time when electricity flows through them, particularly when the electricity grid voltage temporarily rises above its rated value. The electricity grid is a chaotic environment and various voltage rise events happen from time to time.
Leaving your chargers exposed to these events will shorten their life. This premature ageing shouldn’t be alarming for modern devices, thanks to their improved design and control. But it is particularly concerning for cheap, uncertified chargers. These often lack appropriate levels of protection and can be a fire hazard.
How should I treat my chargers?
Although modern chargers are generally very safe and should be drawing minimal standby power, consider unplugging them anyway –if convenient.
If a charger gets warmer than usual, makes noise, or is damaged in any way, it is time for a replacement. And it definitely shouldn’t be left plugged in.
Glen Farivar,
