fit the bill
ALP and Coalition need to cooperate for Australia’s sake Firstly, congratulations to Albo on becoming PM, and especially congratulations to Canberra’s very own Katy Gallagher on becoming finance minister. This is the highest ministerial rank an ACT federal politician has ever attained. At the time I write, it looks like the ALP will govern in its own right, thankfully, as the mix of crossbench groups in the parliament is interesting to say the least. In the first ACT Assembly, we ended up with six different groups from 17 people. The five ALP and four Liberals would, on occasion, get together and stop some of the crazier ideas being put forward by the others from coming to fruition. Even in federal parliament on rare occasions, Liberal and Labor do combine against others such as the Greens to prevent disastrous ideas getting momentum. I’d remind Albo that his first duty is to ensure the security of Australia; this means having a strong defence force, but it also means things like
WITH BILL STEFANIAK AM RFD FORMER ACT OPPOSITION LEADER
ensuring energy security. The new Opposition must also be prepared to work with the ALP in ensuring this, so when the Greens and those wealthy, middle-aged white women from the “teals” (who can afford electricity rises of 200 or 300 per cent, unlike the battlers out in Charnwood, Isabella Plains, Cabramatta and Logan) come to him and demand he slash defence spending and close down our coal mines and gas fields by 2025, he can tell them where to get off, knowing he has the backing of the opposition if they try anything in the Senate. There are two wonderful human stories coming out of this election. The first is about a little working-class boy of Italian origins, brought up by a single mum in a housing trust home who worked hard to give her son every opportunity. This boy went through uni and has now risen to the highest office in the land - Anthony Albanese. He has a reputation as a decent man who looks
after all his constituents in inner Sydney. He knows hardship and thrift, and the sacrifice a parent makes for their child. The second one concerns a little girl in the NT whose grandmother gave birth to her mum under a tree in a remote community. Her mum went on to be a minister of the crown in the Country/Liberal government, and that little girl, Jacinta Price, is now heading off to Canberra as an NT senator. She is a strong, impressive, practical conservative and will do much for Indigenous Australians and, indeed, all Australians. I’d expect her to attain high ministerial rank in a future conservative government and she has the potential to end up our first Indigenous PM. Finally, commiserations to Zed, and congratulations to David Pocock. Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Canberra Weekly.
Capital Food Market will complement an already vibrant precinct, joining Bunnings Warehouse, First Choice Liquor, Chemist Warehouse, PetBarn, BBQs Galore and other national retailers. The precinct will also benefit from regeneration of the immediately adjoining land with residential mixed-use projects, including the 313 apartment ‘Market Residences’ development. Guests and traders at the Capital Food Market will experience a buzzing atmosphere. “The plan is designed with a large seating and activation space in the centre of the market,” Christopher Young, the Market Director said. “We plan to use this space for pop-up events,
seasonal festivals, cooking classes, and the promotion of local produce, seafood, and wine.” The Market’s ground up design allows traders to choose from 25sqm to 340sqm tenancy spaces, as well as additional storage and loading facilities. Expressions of interest from passionate and creative food and produce specialists are now welcomed. Please hurry to ensure you don’t miss out on this unique Canberra food opportunity.
Capital Food Market feature
‘A taste of Europe in the Capital’
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onstruction of Canberra’s new Capital Food Market has commenced and is scheduled to be open in April 2023. Reinvigorating the Belconnen Markets precinct with a unique European-inspired design, the new market hall will showcase the region’s best local producers, leading food providores and talented food artisans. Targeting net-zero carbon emissions, Capital Food Market will be built and operated with sustainable and environmentally responsible principles, adopting the latest in solar energy generation, natural lighting and temperature control, rainwater harvesting and waste stream separation technologies. With its fully enclosed design, exceptional building quality, convenient basement parking and outdoor garden seating with adventure playground, Capital Food Market will be a go-to destination for locals and visitors to Canberra alike.
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website capitalfoodmarket.com.au email info@belconnenmarkets.com.au
