6 minute read
Politics
from CityNews
Suddenly working for votes? There’s an election CALL me cynical! The However, top of the list for coming, ready or not quadrennial busy-bee of minor works. Strange thing, but about this time what really concerns voters goes to (wait for it) signs for a new crematorium. Not sure when! However, there will be a Political reporter BELINDA STRAHORN looks at what’s happening on the ACT election every four years I notice a sudden rush of activity in new crematorium at Mitchell. A large sign tells us so! Thank you. Thank you so much ACT campaign and discovers… not much! IS anyone really thinking elections in October. The party’s parking plan minor capital works. (Labor/Greens) government. this year? Besides candidates mulling will see paid parking only in public Is there anything else the around shopping centres freezing car parks from 8.30am to 5.30pm,
Even stranger – the timing government could be doing their backsides off and the odd Monday to Friday. It also proposes to precedes an ACT election by with our taxpayers’ money? poster here and there, there’s not reduce car and trailer rego fees helpjust a few months. Footpaths, Liberal Health Shadow Minismuch happening on the ground to ing Canberra to have the “nation’s potholes, school upgrades and ter, Vicki Dunne, has identified indicate there’s an election looming. lowest vehicle registration fees”. improved traffic control are that children’s health is on the Meanwhile, the major parties WHILE “Belco Bill” Stefaniak suddenly identified as urgent. backburner. The answer to her know time is slipping away. The ACT seems to lay claim to be the founding Is this expenditure of your taxpayers’ public money on electioneering? Are you grateSigns designed to tell drivers that the ACT government cares. Photos: Michael Moore “question on notice” revealed the median waiting times for some children to access specialgovernment has hit the accelerator churning out media releases spruiking their achievements, such as the father of the Belco Party, a bit of digging reveals that the party was in fact the brainchild of two “rusted-on” ful to the ACT (Labor/Greens) ernment will be fixing this Traffic control has joined ist care was more than four two dozen new Neighbourhood Labor supporters, keen to keep a government? pothole soon”. Can’t be done! the long list of capital works years. And nearly 4000 children Watch signs in Wright and Coombs, political focus on practical and grass
How many footpaths Minister Chris Steel has that the government is doing under the age of 16 years are free music courses for public college roots issues this election. The dubbed suddenly have those tell-tale the answer. There it is, on his to win us over. Erecting cheap waiting for an initial health students, new landfill gas generators “disrupter” party is emerging as an paint marks around broken Facebook. He was quick to signs in the older suburbs may appointment. to power households, the opening of interesting party to watch, if anything or rising concrete? Repairs reassure Canberra voters of not actually be capital works. But then, looking after the a nurse-led walk in centre in Dickson it can claim to be the only party with a are on the way! Indeed, some the high priority: “Our road But they are designed to tell health of our children for the and approving plans for a shiny, new full ticket of colourful characters. have already been done! Near crews have been working long drivers that the ACT (Labor/ ACT (Labor/Greens) govern$300 million Woden CIT campus AS Liberal senator for the ACT Zed PM&C in Barton is a new hours in the cold, repairing Greens) government cares. ment, does not have the same that critics say won’t do anything to Seselja pointed out in his opinion section of about 10 metres or 80-120 potholes a day” and The signs read: “Slow down. visibility as a plethora of minor revitalise a sad Woden town centre. piece in “CityNews”, the Canberra so. And the signage! “The ACT “over four tonnes of cold-mix People are cycling and walkcapital works. Oh, and a new tram stop in anticipaLiberals have fielded one of the most Government is building a new asphalt and 38 tonnes of hot ing on the road”. Additionally, tion of light rail stage 2. diverse pools of candidates seen path here to improve connecmix has been applied”. “Canberra Stronger Together” Michael Moore is a former PAID parking on weekends could for a while in an ACT election, with tions and keep Canberrans Education institutions and “For updates visit member of the ACT Legislative be a thing of the past, if the Belco many of the party’s candidates born working”. are in the mix. A very minor transport.act.gov.au” Assembly and an independent Party has anything to do with it. overseas. Labor’s line of candidates,
What’s missing? Perhaps upgrade of the Ainslie North Call me cynical – but lowerminister for health. He has The party has vowed to ditch paid in comparison, appears to be plucked it is “and to improve the ACT Primary School sports a large ing the speed limits to 50kp/h been a political columnist with parking on the weekend and on mostly from the public service, the (Labor/Greens) government’s sign identifying how lucky we in our suburbs a decade ago “CityNews” since 2006. weekdays after 5.30pm, if elected unions and are less culturally diverse. chances in the coming are as Canberrans. It must provided a clear reminder. election”. have been hard to contain Let me think! Was that just Roads, rates and rubbish! These have always been at themselves from extending the reference to the ACT before an election, or was their concern that it may be 75th Anniversary of the Second World War the heart of winning an ACT election. The heavy rain, after so many years of drought, Labor/Greens government! There is also the big news. Just released – the Canberra construed as a negative? Signs in Yarralumla identify a roundabout that Commemorating our WWII Veterans has exposed potholes all over Institute of Technology is going will be replaced and the Canberra’s usually pristine to have a new campus in intersection “signalised”. Not roads. Getting enough signs Woden. The University of NSW a common word. However, it near every has been consulting with residoes exist in my 1968 “Shorter pothole… dents for months and months Oxford Dictionary”. The very chalabout its new campus in Reid. message is clear. Your (Labor/ lenging! The consultation included an Greens) government is doing “Your ACT explanation that the CIT was everything it can to ensure (Labor/ moving to Woden. However, smooth traffic flow. And, you Greens) this does not stop an approprineed to know this before the Govately timed announcement. election.
Thank you to all of Canberra’s WWII veterans and their families. Your service and sacrifice will never be forgotten. To mark the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, commemorative medallions and certificates of commemoration are available for veterans of the Second World War. If you or a loved one would appreciate receiving a certificate and a medallion, please contact my office on 6247 8475 or by email at alicia.payne.mp@aph.gov.au
