ACT Retirement Village Residents Association Inc.
To: provide independent information, advice, advocacy and representation
Retirement Village Forum
Forum Details
Date: Wednesday, 17 July 2024
Time: 2 – 4pm
Location: Ginninderra Labor Club, 40 Lhotsky St, Charnwood
Program: See below for details
Afternoon tea will be provided
Please RSVP to: enquiries@actrvra.org.au
Forum Speakers
Roger Pallant
Secretary, NSW RVRA (Keynote Address)
Roger is a Board Member and the Secretary of the NSW RVRA, and he will talk about a survey conducted by the NSW RVRA of residents of NSW RVs dealing with psychological abuse in NSW RVs. The findings of the report (‘Ageing without Fear’) have generated interest at Local, State and National levels and led to many initiatives to deal with the issue. Roger will outline the survey findings and key strategies to mitigate the impact this issue is having on the quality of life of some RV residents.
Karen Toohey
ACT Human Rights Commissioner
Karen is the ACT Disability, Community Services, Discrimination and Health Services Commissioner. Karen will talk about the RV residents issues she deals with on a daily basis (including elder abuse and disputes with RV operators), and the remedies she has available to address these problems.
Emma Bragg
Tetlow Legal/ACT Law Society Committee Member
Emma is co-owner of law firm Tetlow Legal. She practises in the areas of Elder Law & Succession Law (the latter primarily about planning for the transfer of wealth from one generation to the next), and is a committee member of the ACT Law Society and Law Council of Australia in these areas of practice. Emma will talk about Elder Law and Succession Law and how to access appropriate legal advice in these areas, and more generally.
Jenny Mobbs
CEO, COTA ACT
COTA ACT works to improve the lives of older people in the Canberra community by providing services and programs to encourage older people to participate in the community (see www.cotaact.org.au). Jenny will describe the (free) services COTA provides including public and private housing advice, elder abuse advice and assistance accessing financial and legal advice.
You do not have to be an ACT RVRA member to attend the forum. For further information about the ACT RVRA: see the ACT RVRA website www.actrvra.org.au
The ACT RVRA appreciates the support of the Ginninderra Labor Club in providing the facility for our event
NEWS / 2024 Kids’ Lit Quiz World Final
Star bookworms step into the world spotlight
By Katarina LLOYD JONES
Four Canberra Grammar School (CGS) students will show off their literary prowess at the 2024 Kids’ Lit Quiz World Final in Canberra on July 10.
This marks the first year the quiz final will be held in Australia, says team coach Terri Robb, but it isn’t the first time CGS has been successful in the competition, having won national finals in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018.
The quiz is based around literature and aimed at giving students the op portunity to celebrate the “sport” of reading.
Terri says 60 to 70 CGS students tried out for a spot on representative teams. Vinudi Rajapaksha, 13; Elliott Bennett, 12; Avi Jain, 12 and Benjamin McBride, 13, were the top four performers and were placed into the team that won the national heats.
“This year [our teams] finished in first, third, fifth and sixth place. So, our four teams did extremely well, they’re all very avid readers.”
Avi, whose favourite book is Homer’s The Odyssey, says: “All of us have done this a lot of times before, so we did have prior experience for the test.
“And we got first Primary Team, 2022,” says Elliott, who’s enjoying Philip Reeve’s book, Railhead.
Vinudi, Elliott, Avi and Benjamin went on to beat 34 other schools in the ACT, and 328 across Australia, winning the national heats and proceeding to the finals where they will
compete with students from Canada, Indonesia, NZ, South Africa, Thailand and America.
“It differs throughout all the stages, but in the heats we get a piece of paper and questions are read out and we have to write them down, and they can be anything from books to mythology,
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or even different types of books” says Benjamin who is currently reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.
“There was a question about anthologies and atlases in the heat.”
Terri says: “They draw the questions from fairytales and nursery rhymes, mythology, legends, contemporary books, classic books, a whole range, so they’ve got to be across the board with a lot of things”
All four students say they particularly enjoy the mythology questions.
“We all read Percy Jackson, and we all like Rick Riordan,” says Benjamin.
“Anything Egyptian, Greek, Norse [mythology],” says Elliott.
Fellow team coach Renee Jones says the national heats are more collaborative, and are similar to a trivia night, whereas in the World Final there is no time to discuss and it is more reliant on individual knowledge.
Avi says they have been preparing for the finals by researching authors and “just reading books”.
Vinudi says sometimes they try to think of what sort of questions may be asked when they’re reading books, and test each other.
Benjamin says they also like to look for unknown facts about authors, as well as dedicating a lot of time to buzzer practice.
“It’s really hard to be the first one to press it, and then in the finals you lose points if you get it wrong,” says Avi.
“In the Australian final, a lot of people accidentally bumped the table and the buzzer went off and they had to try and guess the answer if they didn’t know,” says Benjamin.
“Basically, if they accidentally did that, everyone would say Harry Potter as the answer,” says Vinudi, whose favourite book series at the moment is Wings of Fire.
The team says they are excited to meet their competitors, as they all have a shared interest in reading.
“At the heart of the quiz, it’s all about friendship and making new connections across different countries and areas,” says Avi.
The international teams will spend four days in Canberra, says Terri, and all competitors will be staying together on campus.
“We’re doing lots of get-to-know-you games and activities,” says Terri.
“They’ll be eating lunch and dinners together, having movie nights together, going to the zoo, going to the National Library, going to the portrait galleries, lots of places like that.”
Obviously their place in the world finals is indicative of the students’ love of reading, but they enjoy plenty of other hobbies too, the students say.
Benjamin and Elliott often play tennis together, and Avi says he enjoys cricket, while Vinudi says she enjoys spending her free time drawing and bird watching.
From left: Vinudi Rajapaksha, Elliott Bennett, Avi Jain and Benjamin McBride.
Photo: Katarina Lloyd Jones
Here’s
Artificial intelligence is playing a bigger part in the political landscape. As an experiment, I asked ChatGPT to “consider the ACT Election 2024. Cover Labor, Liberal, Greens and Independents”. I also asked AI to “predict the next Chief Minister”.
Providing Shane Rattenbury with a good chance of becoming chief minister came as a surprise. However, AI did hedge its bets indicating a strong showing of independents – as shown in the following response…
The ACT Election of 2024 promises to be a pivotal event. As parties gear up for campaigning, the political landscape reflects a diverse range of ideologies and priorities, with key players including the Labor Party, the Liberal Party, the Greens, and various independents.
The Labor Party Chief Minister Andrew Barr, enters the election with a strong foundation. Hav ing governed the ACT since 2014, Labor has focused on progressive policies such as renewable energy initiatives, social equity programs and infrastruc ture development. Barr’s leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic gar nered support, with his administration praised for effective health measures and economic support.
Labor’s campaign for the 2024 elec
AI tip: Rattenbury for chief minister!
Rattenbury’s coalition with Labor has supported progressive policies in previous terms, such as climate action plans and social housing initiatives.
The Greens’ campaign will likely emphasise their role in pushing for ambitious environmental targets and social welfare reforms.
Independents are also expected to influence the election, representing diverse interests and local concerns.
Independent candidates often resonate with voters seeking alternatives to major party politics, focusing on issues such as local infrastructure, community services and transparency in government.
The election outcome will depend on various factors, including voter sentiment towards incumbent policies, economic conditions and emerging issues such as housing affordability and environmental sustainability. The preference distribution system used in ACT elections allows voters to rank candidates, which can lead to complex coalition negotiations and
unexpected outcomes.
Predicting the next chief minister involves considering these dynamics.
Andrew Barr, of Labor, benefiting from incumbency and a stable track record, remains a strong contender. His leadership during crises and commitment to progressive policies could sway undecided voters seeking stability and continuity.
However, Elizabeth Lee’s Liberal Party poses a credible challenge, appealing to voters dissatisfied with aspects of Labor’s governance or seeking a different approach to economic management. If the Liberals can effectively communicate their vision for revitalising the economy and addressing cost-of-living pressures, Lee may garner enough support to lead a coalition government.
Alternatively, a coalition involving the Greens and independents cannot be discounted. Shane Rattenbury’s Greens have demonstrated a capacity to influence policy direction in alliance with Labor, particularly on environmental and social issues. Depending on election outcomes and coalition negotiations, Rattenbury could potentially secure the Chief Minister position, marking a significant shift towards
more progressive policies in the ACT.
As parties and candidates campaign vigorously over the coming months, their policies, leadership qualities, and ability to address voter concerns will determine not only the composition of the Legislative Assembly but also the direction of governance in the ACT for years to come.
AI is not perfect. Note the phrase “having governed the ACT since 2014, Labor”. Labor has been in power since 2001. Perhaps AI was referring to the Barr Labor Government…or was trying to cut out my CityNews colleague Jon Stanhope and former chief minister, Senator Katy Gallagher! For each possible outcome for chief minister, AI focused on negotiations. The clear message is there will be a diverse Assembly with a majority government highly unlikely.
The downside of this approach to my column is that I might be putting myself out of business! Although, the analysis is reasonably shallow... and it does not have the interpersonal in sights.
YESTERDAYS / bridge disasters
Monaro ‘miracle’: how Frank got back from edge
The real-time footage from the Port of Baltimore on that dark March night still arouses disbelief.
The cargo ship, the length of three football fields and laden with containers, careens into the steeltruss bridge; within seconds the 2.6-kilometre structure folds in upon itself as if made of matchsticks.
The lives of six road workers were lost and the stricken leviathan has only just been freed from beneath the twisted wreckage, seeing the shipping hub fully reopened.
With the American city’s skyline and psyche irrevocably altered, for me the surreal catastrophe conjured an Australian tragedy of similar proportions.
The Cooma Car Museum was the setting for my meeting with a survivor who defied death in the most incredible of circumstances.
In 2022, the lively then 92-year-old Frank Manley was the guest of honour for a dinner as the 50th anniversary of his ordeal approached.
Hobart’s Derwent River on Sunday, January 5, 1975, just before 9.30pm was fog-bound for a height-of-summer evening.
Frank and Sylvia Manley were out for a spin with two family members in their new silvery-green HQ Monaro coupe – unbeknown to many, the car named after the Monaro region.
Driving across the 3363-foot (1025-metre) four-lane Tasman Bridge, it was to be a moment forever frozen in time.
Without warning, a terrified Sylvia began to squeal.
“The white line! The white line’s gone! Stop!”
“I can’t, I can’t stop,” Frank hollered back, standing on the brakes.
Mere metres ahead, the road had vanished into the gloom before their astonished eyes. Two other cars in front had been swallowed up by the pitch-black chasm.
The bonnet of the Manley’s muscle car skidded over the gaping void.
Then, unbelievably, forward motion ceased and they were seemingly suspended in thin air.
Sylvia later said that below they could see “a big whirlpool of water” and a “boat” sinking fast.
In Frank’s re-telling, flinging doors open, they clutched the headrests, pivoting backwards to scramble on to the roadway.
As they sought to distance themselves, a petrified Frank looked behind to see what had saved them.
Little more than the skin of the Monaro’s two back wheels was clinging to the surface of what was left, the transmission on the car’s underbelly
holding it in place.
Precariously perched alongside was another Holden, a station wagon. It had contained the Lings: Murray, wife Helen and their two children.
Having managed a screeching stop, a car behind had nudged the wagon’s front wheels over the edge.
Safely extracting his family, Murray could only watch in horror as two other vehicles ignored his frantic gesturing to pull up, the occupants plunging to their deaths.
Constructed 10 years earlier, the graceful bridge featured a high-level shipping navigation span.
However, the ill-fated, more than 11,000-tonne bulk carrier Lake Illawarra, lost control, colliding with two central pylons.
Some 400 feet (127 metres) of concrete buckled and plummeted 150-feet (45 metres), crashing down upon the ship’s bow as it did.
The vessel sank within minutes.
Seven trapped crew were drowned.
Five people died in the four cars that disappeared into the abyss. One victim was never recovered, only officially declared dead by a coroner in 2015.
As with the Baltimore tragedy, the
timing meant there were fewer deaths than would otherwise have been the case.
It would take almost three years for the bridge to be rebuilt. Memorials were later erected and the MV Lake Illawarra lies undisturbed in 34 metres of water on the Tasman Bridge’s southern side.
Almost too fantastic to believe, this disaster was captured in an iconic photograph.
Cooma’s impressive, volunteer-run car museum boasts a copy alongside a photo of Frank Manley’s famous, locally-linked car.
Frank still regales all who want to hear with his memories of the extraordinary event, which remain as intact as the beloved HQ Monaro he still proudly owns – on display at the National Automobile Museum of Tasmania.
As Frank told it: how could you let go of something that hadn’t let go of you?
Nichole Overall is a social historian and journalist.
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The iconic photo at Cooma’s volunteer-run car museum of Frank Manley’s famous HQ Monaro coupe teetering on the brink of the collapsed Tasman Bridge on the evening of January 5, 1975.
NEWS / Canberra Budgie Club
Born again: the fun club for ‘budgie crazy’ people
By Katarina LLOYD JONES
Budgies fluctuate between being the third and fourth most popular household pet, so most Australians have a budgie story, says Carrie Timmer, of the Canberra Budgerigar Club (CBC).
“I had a pet one as a child,” says Jan Wrate, secretary treasurer of the CBC.
“They’re low maintenance, you don’t need a big space to put them, they’re easy to clean.”
“They’re not destructive, they’re not noisy,” says Carrie.
“Birds are just easy,” says Jan. Carrie, who also runs a day-care from her Theodore house, says that she bought a couple of budgies to show the kids the hatching process and to try her hand at breeding around four years ago.
“When we got the offer from the club that was in recession because of covid that they were happy for us to take it on board, we knew we had to change the focus.”
“I thought, there’s gotta be a budgie community here somewhere.”
She says she went looking and came across a Canberra-based budgie club that had been dormant for a few years.
“A group of us that are really passionate about our budgies thought let’s just get it back up and running and let’s have some fun with this.”
Jan says: “There’s always been a budgie club in Canberra, 40 odd years
Jan says historically, clubs would focus only on show budgies, which are bred for competition, and pet owners wanting general education were being neglected.
“They wanted events that they could go to, and that wasn’t being met by the older clubs that had come and gone.
“We knew that when we took over this club, that we needed to become modern, we needed to become inclusive, and we
needed to encompass all budgies, and it didn’t matter if they had one budgie at home or they had hundreds.”
“Some people in our club don’t have any budgies, they just love birds,” says Carrie.
“It started off with four or five of us,” says Jan, “and now we have 52 financial members in the club.”
“Once you become a member of the CBC, we have a private Facebook page so you can hop on there and not be judged,” says Carrie.
“Put out all the silly questions, we can help.”
Although Jan says 90 per cent of the club is people seeking out the social nature of it, and the opportunity to go
“budgie crazy,” the club also organises educational talks with vets so owners can get preventative health advice.
Carrie says this prevention education is extremely important, because budgies hide their sickness and retreat into the flock.
There is a conservation aspect too, says Carrie, who breeds the smaller, heritage budgies.
“There’s not many people in Canberra that have them, I might be one of the only breeders,” Carrie says.
“Most people breed them to be bigger but I try to keep mine at a smaller size to try and continue that heritage standard, otherwise we lose it.”
Poor breeding practices can leave
budgies with genetic problems, says Carrie, and this can see them dying prematurely or being unable to fly or stand.
“We’ve got one girl in our club that looks after disabled budgies, so it could be that they’ve broken their leg or a wing, or the next one she’s getting is a blind budgie,” says Jan.
But budgies in aviaries can also pick up diseases from other birds flying overhead and leaving droppings, particularly mites, Jan says.
“We’ve brought people back into the club that have been breeding for 50 years and that’s the type of knowledge that you can’t replicate,” says Carrie.
“I want to be able, on a Sunday afternoon, to go to a meeting, I want to be able to go to a breeder’s place and see what they do when their budgie is sick, and actually talk to them,” says Carrie.
“All the small questions that the books don’t always tell you.”
Through the club, Jan says they have also been able to re-home hundreds of budgies as they have built up such a large network of trusted and reputable breeders and owners.
The CBC is funded by membership fees and fundraising ventures, says Jan, and they’re always looking for sponsors or new members.
Email conder41@velocitynet.com.au for more information or visit the Canberra Budgerigar Club Facebook page.
Carrie Timmer, left, and Jan Wrate… “We have a private Facebook page so you can hop on there and not be judged,” says Carrie.
Carrie’s collection of budgies, she has around 200 of them spread across multiple aviaries. Photos: Katarina Lloyd Jones
THIS BEAUTIFUL TERRITORY / the sailing teachers
Where little sailors are a sight to lift the spirits
NOEL BEDDOE continues his occasional series reminding us why Canberra is the most beautiful place to live*… this time he marvels at a flotilla of little sailors plying Lake Burley Griffin.
A mass of sails, a fleet of boats crowded together, banging across a broad waterway in a tight group, jostling to get access to the propulsion of moving air…
It’s a sight to lift the spirits. It’s ours on Lake Burley Griffin, west of Commonwealth Bridge, Saturday and Sunday, September to April. They head out from Lotus Bay, beat across towards Museum Point, cut into West Basin past the Acton Point jetty, wheel around in that water; if you’re lucky and score a table on the patio of the café in the National Museum, the flotilla passes within a stone’s throw.
There seem to be a lot of boats, but you can’t possibly count them because they scramble, shift position; you become aware of power boats on the edges of the fleet, darting in to provide coaching and support. And if you are out on that patio, getting a close-up view, this is what strikes you – the sailors are all children, many younger than 10.
The sails filled out, the little vessels scudding across the water, the
tiny skippers – they make me think of a flock of fragile butterflies being pushed along by the wind.
I know now how many little fibre glass hulls make up that collection of craft – they are the 60 owned by the sailing school of the Canberra Yacht Club in Yarralumla.
The general manager of the yacht club operation is Steven Hart. He learned to sail at Deviot in Tasmania, and first sailed Lake Burley Griffin when his family moved to Canberra in 2003. He was a sailing instructor at the club by the time he was 15.
What does sailing give him?
“You learn self-discipline, concentration – if you’re not on top of your game you finish up in the water; if you’re out there alone you can’t argue it wasn’t your fault if you make a mistake.
Club is among the latter.
“We average around 1100 kids trained a year. A year,” says Steven.
“And while you’re on the water, that’s all you’re aware of, the water, the wind, the things you have to do. Anything else that’s going on in your life, that all just vanishes away while your out there in a boat.”
There are some commercial operations in Australia that pump out sailing lessons; there are also
“We have 35 certified instructors on the books in summer. This is often their first job. We provide everything – the boats, the life jackets, the instruction. We have to charge a fee to meet costs but, of course, it’s nothing like having to own your own boat.”
The yacht club came into being
sport and an interest that can last a lifetime.
Do many people stay with yachting?
“A lot do. We’ve had graduates win national, international titles. We consistently have a strong group of young sailors travelling to interstate regattas.”
A matter of special pride to Steven?
“We have sailing for the disabled, Sailability. Folk come, you’ll see their wheelchairs sitting outside
after we’ve used our technology to get them into boats, they’re out there with their instructors, learning to sail under their own effort. They can chase their own Paralympic dream if they want to.”
Someone who can’t walk, rushing over the water on the wind – I can only guess how much the experience must mean to the participants. Much of the cost of the program is met by sponsors.
I grew up in a Housing Commission estate in western Sydney; sport was cricket in summer, Rugby League in winter, year round competition and social tennis. Sailing was an unattainable dream, the province of the elites; so it is for most Australian children. Kids in the ACT are luckier than that.
For information about costs and scheduling of lessons, or to donate to the Sailing for Sailability Program go to website canberrayc.com
*The Oxford Economic Global Cities Index recently examined the 1000 largest cities in the world to measure the quality of life they provided; it ranked Canberra’s quality of life the highest in Australia and second highest in the world behind Grenoble in France. Noel Beddoe is Canberra author. Three of his novels have been nominated for the Miles Franklin Literary Award.
‘We’re still the same, we’re still here, I’m still here. We continue that same company culture’
Positive changes come with same sharp client focus
Long-established, local accounting firm, Hussey & Hussey, has gone through some positive changes lately, says client manager and senior associate Charlotte Wang.
Former principal accountant Pamela Hussey has retired, and the firm recently moved to its new Challis Street location in Dickson, with additional team members and expanded service offerings.
But, says Charlotte, they have retained the same dedicated, client-centred values and hard-working team environment.
Charlotte says she has worked at Hussey & Hussey for 14 years, ever since she graduated, and will continue to provide the same, high-quality service Pamela did.
“All our Hussey & Hussey clients know me because they see my face, and have seen me around in the office for the last 14 years,” she says.
“We’re still the same, we’re still here, I’m still here. We continue that company culture produced by Pam.”
Hussey & Hussey has also recently been joined by senior accountant Paul Clark, who has been practising since 1993.
Charlotte and Paul say their number one priority is always the client’s best interests, and that they do regular training with all staff, to make sure Hussey & Hussey aligns with the latest legis lations and rule changes.
Paul says this means they can also assist clients with strategic planning for the
While a lot of their work is tax compli ance, Paul says they have a wide range of other value-adding services that they can assist with including tax planning and business advisory.
Charlotte says: “We do individual (including sole traders) trust, partnership, company and self managed super fund (SMSF) returns, rental properties, capital gains tax of disposal of shares, properties and cryptocurrencies.
the financial year if they have any changing circumstances, or if they are looking to sell a business or purchase an investment property.”
To ensure clients receive the best treatment, Charlotte says they have split the team in two, with Charlotte’s team focusing on the non-business clientele, including services such as individual tax returns for rental properties, sole traders, capital-gains tax and cryptocurrency.
He says the self-managed super fund service is a new addition to what Hussey & Hussey offers.
“Clients can come to us to get their financial statements and tax returns prepared,” he says.
“We then send it off to an external auditor to be audited before we lodge the return.
“Often it’s handy to do the individual tax returns with the self-managed super fund at the same time, just for tax-
planning purposes.
“And they can do both of those things through Hussey & Hussey as well, everything can be done at once.”
Hussey & Hussey has been operating for more than 40 years, says Charlotte, with Michael Hussey establishing it as Michael Hussey and Associates in 1981.
She says this means the majority of the firm’s clients are long-term, a testament to their dedication and professionalism.
“So we have four-generation clients now, from the same family and business.
“We look after them and they trust us, and we know them inside out so we are able to provide the best service.”
But, clients don’t necessarily have to come to the Hussey & Hussey office physically, says Paul.
Charlotte says: “We actually look after lots of clients that are interstate or international as well.
“In Canberra, we do have a lot of public servants who get posted overseas. We have lots of clients like that and we don’t need to do the tax return face-to-face, we are open for Zoom, online, Teams and all types of remote services as well.
“And lots of our existing clients, because we know them, we know their history, they’re more comfortable just to send us the information, because we know them and they know what information we need.”
Hussey & Hussey, Level 3, 23 Challis Street, South Tower, Dickson. Call 6247 6735 or visit hussey.com.au
The Greens will find we’re less forgiving of them
As the race for the 2024 election enters the last few months, and with the latest ACT budget replicating the federal Labor strategy of “nothing to attack here, please move on”, the real numbers game begins.
That is, what it will take to get the 13 seats required to govern. My current estimate (note my disclaimer here) is that Labor and the Liberals can count on 17 seats between them, nine for Labor and eight for the Liberals. Labor will struggle in Brindabella (Tuggeranong) and Murrumbidgee (Weston). The Liberals will struggle in the north in Ginninderra.
That leaves seven up for grabs. So does that mean the Greens (aka the Renters Party) can take all those seven?
Historically, these are the best of times for the Greens. High water marks were achieved in 2020 in terms of seats won and number of votes. But that was then. This is now.
They’ve been part of the ACT coalition government (with Labor) for 12 years. The Greens have been and are part of the system.
Like Labor, they have no excuses a Liberal government was to blame for injustice, inequity and transparency failings in the ACT. As the government, they’ve been responsible for some of those failings.
The Greens undoubtedly have the most to lose when it comes to any party at the next election.
Wedged hard by Labor in the centre left, and with independents starting to get their act together and attack them on governance and transparency, the magnificent seven the Greens may have been dreaming about in 2024 is starting to look shaky.
For a Greens party in government, their failings on cost-of-living, environmental and transport policy are good reasons why they may lose three seats at the next election.
Cost-of-living impacts two-thirds of us in a negative way. One-third are wondering what all the fuss is about, and why can’t the two-thirds just stop buying smashed avo and flat whites.
But reading Jon Stanhope and Khalid Ahmed’s columns in CityNews makes it clear that high taxes and rates are hurting those in the middle.
Service delivery, especially to the middle, is failing around the ACT. So
the middle is paying more and getting less.
It is this middle who the Greens need to be most worried about because they helped the Greens get six seats.
Yet the Greens seem to have forgotten about them. They have allowed for a public transport system to be stretched through chronic underfunding of buses. Buses every two hours on a Sunday in the suburbs? Yeah, that should stop climate change.
Or how about shared paths for “active transport”? In some parts these paths are in such disrepair that Pedal Power now have a “Woeful Wednesday’s” on their socials, where people share images of horrible cycling infrastructure.
Penalties for at-fault drivers who hurt vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists, remain inadequate.
As for other green issues in the ACT, such as developments in or next
Service delivery, especially to the middle, is failing around the ACT. So the middle is paying more and getting less. It is this middle who the Greens need to be most worried about because they helped them get six seats.
to green areas, or the collapse of soft plastics recycling or wood heaters or… you get the picture.
As for cost-of-living relief? A decent first-home buyers’ scheme? Yeah, nah, renters party, thank you. How about an open and transparent government?
Are we less forgiving of the Greens? Absolutely, but only because they told us they were the ones who stood for the most. They wanted us to believe in hope. Yet the pressure they apply to Labor couldn’t bruise a grape.
Then there is campaigning. The independents, their main opponents, are starting to hit the grassroots now. In recent times there have been at least three volunteers at some
of the Saturday shopping centre meet-and-greets I’ve seen, but not a Green in sight, especially south of Hindmarsh Drive.
This level of dissatisfaction won’t translate to votes directly for the majors. But if the Greens support drops to their 2016 levels, which I think it might, then there are potentially 10,000 votes of opportunity for the independents. That could flow on to the majors through preference flows.
The independents are still divided though. They’ve got to get it together and be far more united. If they can, maybe three to four seats could eventuate.
As it stands, who takes the magnificent seven will likely decide the outcome of the next election. And who they end up being may even be worthy of a movie of the same name one day.
Dr Andrew Hughes is a lecturer in marketing with the Research School of Management at ANU where he specialises in po litical marketing and advertising.
FURNITURE
‘I’ve always believed, and my team believes, that dentistry can be different’
A gentle Roar: ACT dentist wins national awards
Dr Henriette Macri-Etienne has always followed 13th century poet Rumi’s advice that “our greatest strength lies in… gentleness”.
It has, for more than two decades, been a principle of her work as a dentist and is key to the operation of her practice, Integrated Dental Canberra (IDC).
Late last month, her approach to dentistry as a holistic practice where both professional expertise and “care of the whole person” matter, was recognised with two national awards.
Dr Macri-Etienne was presented with a Making Waves Award and a Wildcat of the Year Award by the national business group Roar Success at a gala presentation on the Gold Coast on June 21.
The Making Waves Award was presented in recognition of Dr Macri-Etienne’s – and IDC’s –significant impact in the dental industry through innovation and change, and the Wildcat of the Year Award, in recognition of strength in the pursuit of excellence and the care of IDC’s patients.
A spokesperson for Roar Success described the Making Waves Award as celebrating “trailblazers who have set new standards, pushed boundaries and inspired others”.
The Wildcat Award was for those who had “gone above and beyond, exemplifying exceptional leadership, innovation and dedication
in the running of their business”.
Dr Macri-Etienne said the awards were of particular significance to her and her team, given IDC’s work since she relocated her practice from the Blue Mountains in NSW to Canberra – a city she loves and is committed to personally and professionally.
“The team is happy most of all that our holistic approach to dental treatment and our commitment to patients’ comfort, along with a high level of clinical expertise, has found a natural home in the ACT.
“I’ve always believed, and my team believes, that dentistry can be different: we’ve always sought to bring a new paradigm to what we do, an approach that considers the whole person, not just patients’ teeth and mouths.”
The national Roar Awards are now in their fifth year and recognise businesses across the country for their success in areas such as product development, service delivery, global expansion and e-commerce excellence.
This year’s presenters noted in particular the difficulties faced by businesses across multiple sectors in the past two years.
“Running a business at the best of times comes with its challenges, but the last couple of years really tested the patience, finances, and sanity of many business owners,” they said.
Winning an award was a chance to celebrate “the hard work, grit and determination it’s taken
to still be standing and thriving in 2024”!
Dr Macri-Etienne said Integrated Dental Canberra, which is located in Moore Street, Civic, prided itself on its state-of-the-art equipment (for example, the ability to produce same-day quality crowns in-house) and “comfort menu” designed to relax patients and provide a “spa like” experience.
As well as high-quality clinical care, the practice specialised in treating dental anxiety and dental phobia, recognising that anxieties and fears are things “we all experience at different times in our lives around a range of issues and there is no judge ment attached to them”.
Dr Macri-Etienne, who has previously won awards for her expertise in treating patients with dental anxiety, says her passion is to “change the old idea that dentistry has to be painful and unpleasant.
“Rumi was right – a gentle, tender approach can be our greatest strength, whether in the dental surgery or more broadly.
“Rumi also suggested we ‘be empty of worry ing’! We can’t always guarantee that completely, but IDC will always do what we can to make our patients’ experience the best possible. We’re very happy to have that recognised.”
Integrated Dental Canberra, 5/16 Moore Street, Civic. Call 6249 8551 or visit integrateddentalcanberra.au
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Dentist Dr Henriette Macri-Etienne with her two Roar awards… “a gentle, tender approach can be our greatest strength, whether in the dental surgery or more broadly.”
Barr tops his baker’s dozen of failed budgets
“The anticipated increase in revenues and control on expenses reflected in this budget’s forecasts are simply not credible.” JON STANHOPE reveal why another credit downgrade is inevitable.
Andrew Barr has presented his thirteenth ACT budget and, as with his previous 12, there is no prospect of a balanced budget, let alone a surplus, to provide a buffer against the next fiscal shock.
The chief minister and treasurer has forecast a $972 million improvement in the operating position over the budget and forward estimates period, but even such a miraculous improvement will not get the budget into the black.
More importantly, as with previous forecasts, the anticipated increase in revenues and control on expenses reflected in this budget’s forecasts are simply not credible.
Table 1 provides the revenue and expenditure estimates for the General Government Sector as published in the Budget Papers.
For the current financial year (2023-24), which is the starting point for the budget, the Budget Papers show a revenue shortfall of $209 million, and an expenditure blowout, coincidentally, of $209 million against the original 2023-24 budget. In other words, revenue was overstated and expenditure was understated in the original budget. We have previously highlighted through detailed analysis that this has been the hallmark of Mr Barr’s past budgets.
Tin 2024-25, a further $596 over and above that in 2025-26, and an additional $517 million in 2026-27 and $410 million in 2027-28, largely from own sources.
he deficit increased from the original forecast of $662 million (7.9 per cent of the budget) to $1.080 billion (12.6 per cent of the budget) as the current forecast. Proportionately, this is the largest deficit of any Australian state or territory.
From this starting point, the government is forecasting an improvement of $972 million through a compounding growth in revenue of 6.6 per cent per annum and expenditure growth held at just 3.4 per cent per annum.
Expenditure is driven by a combination of parameters such as wage growth, changes in the consumer price index and population growth. We made this point in relation to the 2023-24 budget forecast for expenditure and advised that the estimate was not credible.
policy target to stay below 90 per cent on this measure.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr... “Contrary to the ACT government’s claims, the ACT is the highest-taxing jurisdiction in Australia, imposing taxes at 135 per cent of its capacity.”
It is almost certain, based on past forecasting performance, that the revenue forecasts are significantly overstated, in which case the forecast improvements in the operating budget will vanish.
However, if these revenue estimates are in fact achieved, the heavy lifting to achieve the weight of increase in revenue will be largely borne by Canberra households and businesses.
That is not a good omen for those families struggling through the current cost-of-living crisis. In any case, the mere fact that the government plans to raise revenue well above any reasonable measure highlights that the government’s professed concerns about the cost of living are empty and meaningless rhetoric.
With respect, that claim is laughable and must be so embarrassing for a professional Treasury to have to own.
Source: Table 3.1.1; 2024-25 Budget Paper 3; Page 42.
Photo: Mick Tsikas/AAP
The government has tried to reassure Canberrans by claiming (on Page 39 of Budget Paper 3): “The ACT remains a relatively low-taxing jurisdiction, as illustrated in Figure 3.1.1, which shows our own-source tax revenue as a share of Gross State Product is the equal third lowest across all Australian states and territories at 5.1 per cent.”
With respect, that claim is laughable and must be so embarrassing for a professional Treasury to have to own.
We have previously written about concocted and meaningless measures adopted by the government that not even Humpty Dumpty would have had the nerve to choose.
The own source taxation to GSP ratio falls into that category.
We find it incredible that Mr Barr could not possibly know that almost half of the ACT’s economic activity cannot be taxed as it relates to the Commonwealth Government. The territory is, of course, therefore compensated through the GST distribution.
One does not need to look far for a meaningful comparison. The NT has, for instance, in its latest budget papers provided a proper comparison of “taxation effort” across Australia ie, taxation relative to the available base and capacity as assessed by the Commonwealth Grants Commission. In Table 2 we have copied Table 4.6 from the NT’s Budget Paper 2 (Page 40) which reveals the true position.
Source: CGC 2024 update.
Contrary to the ACT government’s claims, the ACT is the highest-taxing jurisdiction in Australia, imposing taxes at 135 per cent of its capacity. In comparison, the NT has a financial
Net Debt is rising at 14.2 per cent per annum, with interest costs increasing at a staggering 21.1 per cent every year over the budget and forward estimates. Interest costs are forecast to reach $832 million per annum by 2027-28, outstripping expenditure on social protection and housing and community amenities.
We will provide a more detailed analysis of the budget and its initiatives in the coming weeks. Here we consider the question whether the ACT is in the same boat as other jurisdictions, as often claimed by the Treasurer.
With the exception of Tasmania, all states and territories have now presented their respective budgets for 2024-25, with the Tasmanian budget to be handed down in September. Chart 1 provides a comparison of the ACT’s Net Operating Balance with the weighted average of all states (with the exception of Tasmania) and the NT.
Chart 2 provides a comparison of Net Debt to Revenue Ratio, a measure that is far more relevant than the debt to GSP ratio, and used by the rating agencies.
The ACT’s Net Debt to Revenue ratio is forecast to increase to 129 per cent by 2027-28, second only behind Victoria.
The ACT’s credit rating was downgraded in 2023-24, and with the growth in debt incorporated in this budget, a further downgrade is almost certain.
Needless to say, if the operating budget forecasts do not hold, and if the government persists in the funding of uneconomic and unfeasible projects, debt is certain to increase. That is not good news for Canberrans of today, their children, and their children’s children who will be paying for the financial mismanagement of this Greens-Labor Coalition for literally decades to come.
Jon Stanhope is a former chief minister of the ACT and Dr Khalid Ahmed a former senior ACT Treasury official.
Across Australia, jurisdictions are returning to balanced and surplus budgets. In fact, of comparable jurisdictions, SA is forecasting a surplus in all years, and the NT is forecast to return to surplus in 2025-26. The ACT remains in deep deficit, and its forecast deficits are likely to be much larger for the reasons discussed above.
Table 2:
Table 1: Revenue and expenses estimates – general government sector
Chart 1: 2024-25 Forecasts of net operating balance as a proportion of the
Chart 2: 2024-25 Forecasts of net debt to revenue ratio
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Charity begins at… the bank!
Hands Across Canberra is depositing itself in a bank as Community Bank Canberra and Regions has offered the local charity office space in Deakin. Ivan Slavich, managing director at Community Bank Canberra and Regions, said the community partnership with HAC will go a long way in helping disadvantaged and vulnerable people.
HAC, a Canberra-based community foundation that works with local not-for-profit organisations.
“Hands Across Canberra’s ethos perfectly aligns with our board’s strategic direction… I have seen first-hand the work they do in the community, and the impact of their work is remarkable,” Mr Slavich said.
The HAC staff and services can now be found working out of the Community Bank branch at 75 Denison Street, Deakin.
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Dropped pants, slow justice and head scratching
This is a column about four little happenings that raise issues not mentioned in mainstream media, but cause some head scratching.
Local solicitor Ben Aulich has been reprimanded and fined $20,000 after action taken against him by the Law Society. The fine was within the range proposed by his lawyers, but less than that suggested by the Law Society.
We everyday folk would regard $20K as one hell of a thumping. It requires much time and effort to acquire it.
What heinous act deserved this response? At a law firm weekend retreat, as part of a drinking game he drew a card that required him to remove his pants. He did, but his reproductive equipment remained out of sight, being appropriately concealed by underwear – possibly high fashion, possibly not. Someone was offended. Apparently, we should be, too.
I guess when I go to the beach in future I shall be careful to take my jeans off in the car so that I get out and about in my Speedos and cause no possible offence to anyone. Those lawyers (of whatever gender) who wear tight swim wear because they have, or think they have, great body shape should now be careful that there is no one around who might be affronted by what they choose to stare at.
But at nearly 30 pages, this ACAT
decision (which I expect will become a source of amusement in the English-speaking world) is a minnow by comparison to the Integrity Commission’s 277-page Special Report (plus attachments) on the corrupt conduct of the now former CIT CEO Leanne Cover. Commissioner Michael Adams KC found a breach of a duty of disclosure to the CIT Board and that the “concealment” was intentional to reduce the risk that various transactions may have been disapproved. All well and good, but why did it take two years to reach this conclusion? Why wasn’t this conclusion, as distinct from other issues about procurement, resolved within – at most – a few months?
The draft report – which is limited to the actions of the CEO and board chair
The draft report was sent to affected parties in early November, which means the ‘investigation’ took 16 months… If the Integrity Commission is short of the expertise and funds to conduct timely inquiries then it should say so.
– was sent to affected parties in early November, which means the “investigation” took 16 months. During that time the CEO, though suspended, is reported to have been on full pay. Who wouldn’t enjoy that much to do nothing?
If the Integrity Commission is short of the expertise and funds to conduct timely inquiries then it should say so. The report states that more than three million documents have been produced for this inquiry into aspects of the CIT. That’s a mind boggling number. How many of them are relevant?
Readers will recall my criticism of the Integrity Commission’s decision to investigate Walter Sofronoff KC’s decision to give embargoed copies of his report to two journalists.
I saw and see no aspect of corruption in that action. I was delighted to read in this report: “The (Integrity Commission) Act… exhibits the require -
ment that ‘corrupt conduct’ connotes moral turpitude or want of probity, which is congruent with the meaning of ‘corrupt in common parlance’.”
As the commission has not finished its inquiry into the contract for the Campbell Primary renovation, and as it has much to do to complete this CIT probe, it would be sensible to avoid chasing phantoms – the more so when the Sofronoff Inquiry was so quickly and competently completed.
A “quick resolution” was not something available this past dozen years or so for Julian Assange
When it did resolve this past week it was superbly managed and choreographed. Sentencing Mr Assange to the time he had served in the UK, putting it about that he could apply for a presidential pardon, having as minders a former cabinet minister and former prime minister, delivering him to Canberra – all of this was reminiscent of a medieval tapestry depicting the saving of a repentant sinner.
Truly awesome, as was the little detail of knowing in advance what was the likely sentence to be imposed by the US judicial officer, knowing that air travel home from Saipan could be booked with certainty.
There was a plea agreement. Her Honour was prepared to accept it and she said why. Heaven forbid that in this country we ever have sentencing where there is even a whiff of a predetermined outcome.
At least the Saipan judge had the advantage of being assisted by lawyers for both sides. That may not be the situation faced by an appellate bench of three Federal Court judges hearing Lisa Wilkinson’s appeal from the adverse findings made by Justice Michael Lee in the Lehrmann v Channel 10 and Wilkinson defamation case. Do either Channel 10 or Bruce Lehrmann have any interest in opposing Ms Wilkinson’s claims? If not, who – in our adversarial system – will stand up for Justice Lee’s reasoning? Neither the legislation nor the rules provide for the court to appoint a “contradictor”, that being a person who can assist the court with a contrary argument. There’s a gap in the law and it needs to be fixed by the parlia ments.
Hugh Selbyis a former barrister.
Television personality Lisa Wilkinson. Photo: Mick Tsikas/AAP
Tram south should follow Griffin’s lake crossing
New First Nations cultural elements will now supplement the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, and the expanding National Museum, on Acton Peninsula.
The peninsula was reportedly the place of healing for First Nations people, and Griffin sited the capital’s main hospital there, with a curving carriageway crossing the lake to Parkes.
His architectural massing designs were realised in the ‘60s with the substantial former Royal Canberra Hospital complex. Its main buildings were imploded as a public event, tragically killing young Katie Bender. Some heritage-listed earlier hospital buildings remain on the northern shore.
The Central National Area includes the Acton Peninsula. The ANU’s fine International Sculpture Park is nearby.
Given the evolution and attractions of Acton Peninsula, it clearly needs better connectivity, and ACT light rail stage 2 should include it, involving a form of Griffin’s lake crossing – saving the heritage, form and cultural landscape of Commonwealth Avenue and its bridges in the process.
Jack Kershaw, former president Canberra Community Action on Acton Inc, Kambah
Electric buses could solve the problems
In his column “Planning pales as ideology trumps evidence” (CN June 27) Mike Quirk wrote that the ACT government has failed to justify its “prioritisation of light rail” or to model the merits of a bus rapid transport system. I suggest that is because they are too expensive or too superior, respectively, to suit its plans.
As I mentioned in earlier letters, there are several more costly construction problems facing light rail stage 2B along the planned alignment. The junction of Yarra Glen, Yamba Drive and Melrose Drive is problematic: the large concrete drain in the roundabout is prone to flash flooding in Canberra’s occasional but – with global heating – increasingly frequent, and severe rain storms. There is also the question of passenger “catchment areas”. Planned stops along the
planned rail alignment such as Albert Hall, Kings Avenue, and Carruthers Street (Deakin and Curtin) are beyond walking distance from dwellings occupied by the people most likely to use public transport – the elderly and/or infirm.
A fleet of battery-electric buses (at a fraction of the cost of light rail) could solve all these problems. Messrs Barr and Rattenbury must think again, or the Canberra Liberals most certainly will.
Dr Douglas Mackenzie, Deakin
No-one estimates 20-year operating costs
Max Flint of Smart Transport Canberra, accuses me of gullibility insofar as costings for the light rail are concerned (letters, CN June 20).
I clearly stated the $675m for Stage 1 was the capital cost only. In project management, there are two separate and distinct cost elements; capital cost and, for a public utility like the tram, downstream operating costs. I am well aware of this distinction and would add from experience, no government estimates operating costs for 20 years, as the bases for such are unknown and inestimable.
Normally, government budget provisions are made up to five years with forward estimates out to 10 at best. Why? No one knows the details on such aspects as inflation, interest rates, technology developments or even offsets such as sources of government revenue that far out. Auditors are competent
Imagine a dog being bludgeoned…
Imagine if a cat or dog or horse was bludgeoned to death with a mallet. Quite rightly we would all be utterly appalled. It is barbaric, abhorrent, cruel and inhumane. What sort of human would do this? Quite rightly the culprit should be caught and jailed.
Now imagine a joey receiving the same treatment. What sort of a human does this?
How is it that Canberrans are not appalled at the treatment of these innocent joeys demanding that it stop?
This “kangaroo management” is continuing over the winter months courtesy of the ACT Greens and Labor Party. This is now in its 15th year and no end in sight.
How is it that this government and its most of its citizens are okay with such appalling animal cruelty year after year?
Jo Kirwan, via email
Time to get a government that cares
I agree with Ian MacDougall’s article (“Leave the kangaroo culling to Mother Nature”, CN June 20).
We all have the responsibility to look after our native animals. Shooting them and bludgeoning their joeys to death is cruel.
And then they give themselves a pat on the back for such a great program. If they stand by it then why are the comments always turned off on Facebook when it’s mentioned? Why do people who write to them get blocked?
I wrote to the environment minister, leader of the Greens and the chief minister and asked if they would be happy to go along on a cull and even participate. It is easier to pay someone, but they have blood on their hands. Time to vote them out and get a government that cares.
Paula Gaudry, Conder
The ACT government is an ‘international embarrassment’
I read your article “Leave the Kangaroo culling to Mother Nature” written by Ian MacDougall (CN June 20) and I’m watching horrified by the annual kangaroo slaughter in Canberra reserves from overseas, from Italy.
Kangaroos are the Australian icons loved in the world and don’t deserve this cruelty. Leave mum, fathers and joeys in peace in their own land! Reserves should be safe places.
Kangaroos have been perfectly suited to living on Australian land for millions of years. It is we who have stolen their land since colonisation and continue to do so as violent owners.
Please stop this massacre now, ACT government you are an international embarrassment, and yes let Mother Nature take her course!
Paola Torti, via email
Prevent dogs chasing roos on to roads
The ACT government is keen to blame kangaroos for getting on to the roads and causing car accidents.
However, the government seems to do nothing at all about educating dog owners about keeping their dogs on a leash, preventing them from chasing kangaroos on to the road.
For example, I recently saw a dog chase a family of kangaroos towards Gungahlin Drive during peak-hour traffic.
Its owner was busy staring at his phone while walking, completely oblivious to the havoc and stress his dog was causing.
I later found a dead joey who had been hit by a car on Gungahlin Drive in the vicinity of where his dog had chased the kangaroo family.
I believe the joey lost his or her life, simply due to a negligent dog owner.
Rebecca Marks, via email
in analysing the past data but even they don’t have crystal balls to accurately predict the light rail operating costs for salaries, spare parts, consumables, equipment updates, power consumption, policies on fare revenue/subsidies etcetera, outside 10 years. To do so and claim accuracy is sheer folly. Ipso facto, using such estimates as evidence against the project is unprofessional and lacks credibility.
There are experts in government and contractors who are fully across such matters, and prepare proposals on options and acquisition costs for extensive and forensic consideration by committees and eventually executive government before any decision is taken.
Anyone can express their opposition to projects (as Mr Flint has been doing with little impact for years) but if done so on alleged unaffordable costs, they have a responsibility to ensure, unlike Douglas MacKenzie’s recent forays, they are not just financial plucks from dubious sources. Personal opposition on other grounds should also be clearly justified to inform all, not just off-the-cuff thought bubbles.
Downstream operating costs are very important to government budgets and the light rail is no different to every other service provided for the public such as hospitals, schools, roads, lighting, water and sewerage. It would no doubt carefully consider all the information for every project but they are, however, rarely the determining factor for selection of a particular element of future public infrastructure.
I have had my tuppence worth and politely withdraw from this discussion.
Dave Rogers, Woden
Pause before hitting the blame button
I’m a little surprised that Ric Hingee (Letters, CN June 13) takes such a hard line against students who engage in activities supposedly unconnected to their courses of study.
Does he apply his no-Gaza protest rule also to students who join university political or other activist groups? These, too, present only one side, yet have been an accepted part of university learning and, importantly, thinking processes for all of my lifetime and longer; sometimes they have also been violent. It’s what a tertiary education is supposed to be about, not just course work. Ric will say he’s concerned about over-aggressive behaviour, but so too am I. We have to ask, however, where is such behaviour learned? Adults (nations and their leaders) endorsing violence and death through warfare hardly set a mature example for the young.
Arguably worse, arbitrarily banning certain activities, often under spurious guises, because they make us feel uncomfortable, is directly risking the basic tenets of our democracy. History has surely provided us with sufficient deadly instances for us to take pause before we automatically hit the blame button on the symptoms rather than the cause.
Eric Hunter, Cook
Walter Burley Griffin’s 1913 preliminary plan for the Federal Capital of Australia… there’s the bridge from Acton Peninsula over the lake. Map: NLA
Enjoy beautiful vista before it’s lost to housing
The ACT government is to be congratulated for the expansion of the network of walking trails between Straithnairn and the Murrumbidgee River.
The walks, which my wife Robyn and I have come to love, provide wonderful views of both the Murrumbidgee and the stunningly beautiful landscape across the river in NSW.
I do recommend, however, that if you wish to enjoy this beautiful vista you visit the area sooner rather than later. The relevant landscape includes the land that our Labor/Greens government is hoping the NSW Government will transfer to the ACT to allow for the construction of 4000 homes and it may be that before we know it the area will be a gigantic construction site.
Jon Stanhope, Bruce
Dutton leads us to damnation
Peter Dutton dares to prance and jest at our expense, deliberately and cruelly, in his quest for immediate parliamentary power and for new Band-Aids to apply to Coalition fractures (“Dutton’s nuclear build to cost up to $600 billion”, citynews.com.au June 23).
The LNP has now chosen to preach about and promise a wondrous way forward with seven injections of
nuclear power. Claiming also that this will be delivered with the Opposition’s new-found values of “trust and transparency”, the conservative renewables-hating parties are setting off down the road of nuclear conversion, targeting the vulnerable and those most easily led, while suggesting the majority are heretics because they don’t believe in pointless time-consuming political wand waving and waffle, or Morrisonianstyle miracles.
Both Labor and the LNP have serious governance and duty of care responsibilities to commit to doing much more, much sooner, on emissions reduction and domestic energy reform and supply delivery, otherwise we’ll all be damned to a much poorer quality of life, if not hell on earth.
Voters are not interested in the bickering, backpedalling, or “go slow” plodding that party machines seem to be dumping on us, according to some grand campaign plans.
Sue Dyer, Downer
Hey, Albo here’s how to trump Dutton
Hey, Albo, you could really trump Dutton with nuclear fusion! Why settle for outdated fission technology?
We’ve been promised fusion for years. It is the ultimate Answer to Life, the Universe and Everything!
And if that doesn’t work there is the even newer technology (yet to be developed)
dragon-fire cheese planets built by flying mermaids, as reported by The Shovel.
Now there’s a thing!
Richard Johnston, Kingston
Writer appears to have no idea of schemes
June Kirvan (CN Letters, June 25) has made the classic mistake of commenting on people she does not know.
For example, she says I “have no knowledge of world history” when I have an ANU degree in international relations, economics and politics. Furthermore, I have worked in the Trade Commissioner Service, carried out trade promotion services both in Australia and overseas, and worked with APEC, CHOGM, ADAB, ASEAN and APEC to name just a few of the overseas organisations which encompass a broad knowledge of world history.
I would be interested to know what Ms Kirvan’s own background is in the field of world history.
Ms Kirvan appears to have no knowledge of the Graduate Promotion Schemes run by large government departments that try to inculcate innovative thinking, civility and broad-ranging knowledge in all aspects of departmental activity.
For Ms Kirvan to imply, as she does, that my graduates would be “robots”, is an insult for which she should apologise.
I am not the only one who has raised the issue in the media of the impact on possible
employment by graduates who engage in violent demonstrations.
It has become normal for employers to check the credentials of job seekers on Google and social media platforms.
It would appear that Ms Kirvan does not have a problem with students disrupting university exams and study times, graffiting landmarks or damaging electoral offices.
Unfortunately, it would appear that many parents take a similar laissez faire attitude to their children, which I feel is leading to the increase in youth crime, burglaries, stealing cars and trying to outrun the police. It is time for parents to take some responsibility for anti-social activity by their children.
Ric Hingee, Duffy
When LOL isn’t especially funny
On the matter of LOL (Clive Williams’ column on acronyms, CN June 27), in my experience LOL first appeared in a book called The House of God, which was a lighthearted look at the trials of young interns in an American public hospital who developed a shorthand method of writing patient notes, especially in the emergency department. LOL was “little old lady”, so LOL in NAD was “little old lady in no apparent distress” and GOMER was “get out of my emergency room”. Every time I see LOL on social media I go back to the old meaning, and in fact, the subject is usually not particularly funny anyway.
Stewart Bath, via email
“Our mission is the same as it was when I started the business almost 30 years ago; keep quality timber out of landfill.
The Murrumbidgee vista where the ACT government hopes NSW will transfer to the ACT to allow for the construction of 4000 homes. Photo: Jon Stanhope
Barreconomics: how not to govern competently
Andrew Barr’s 2024/25 ACT budget may well prove to be a salutary lesson for political science students on competence in government.
From his throwaway line exhorting Canberrans to shout themselves a little treat in Canberra (courtesy of the federal government’s stage three tax cuts) to his budget speech line emphasising a focus on cost of living measures, to Shane Rattenbury’s comment criticising the lack of ACT government funding for social/ community housing, there is no common sense consistency in his government’s policy framework.
Consider the following:
In government, I remember working closely with Business ACT executives to foster the development of new businesses in Canberra, including in particular multinationals such as Microsoft, Fujitsu and the like. These initiatives were designed to sustainably grow the ACT’s revenue base given that the ACT has no natural resources and has to rely on the public and tertiary sectors as its major revenue bases.
In his latest budget, Barr is now imposing a further tax on multinationals and claiming that no one in the ACT would not support a further impost on this sector. Sheer stupidity and ignorance, I say.
Shane Rattenbury’s comments on the lack of funding for social and community housing is also hypocritical. He was, from
memory, seeking around an extra $250m for this area. How much additional housing could have been provided for instance if light rail stage 2A (Civic to the lake) had not been funded.
And now, he is proposing to acquire the Canberra racecourse via compulsory acquisition of land (which has invariably been shown to increase the acquisition cost to taxpayers).
The additional consumer revenue imposts in the ACT 24/25 budget ranging from the 3.75 per cent notional residential rates (but in effect 5 to 7 per cent for many outer-ring and new-development suburbs), the increases in driver licences, fire and emergency services levy, domestic violence contributions etcetera, and the additional imposts on small investors and small-tomedium local businesses will no doubt swallow up any additional incomes derived from the Federal stage 3 tax cuts.
That Andrew Barr has seen fit to impose these significant additional costs when the overall state of the Australian economy is anaemic at best (and Canberra is really no different to other jurisdictions in this regard) is questionable political judgement at the least.
With respect to what a number of press observers have been claiming, the ACT 24/25 budget appears to be more a case of massive hubris, detachment from the real world, continuing reliance on past policy focuses and an innate inability to understand and respond to changing circumstances.
While the ultimate judgement on this
budget will be handed down by the ACT electorate in October, it is also true to say that the increasing economic impact of Barr’s cumulative budgets and in particular the growing budgetary deficit (now close to $1 billion) and debt servicing requirements will leave the ACT in a much more parlous situation than when Barr took over as chief minister.
Ron Edgecombe, Evatt
Farewell to a tireless community champion
It was with sadness that I heard of the recent passing of community leader Dr David Denham. David devoted many years of his life advocating on behalf of the community. In my former role as chair of the Inner South Canberra Community Council (ISCCC), I knew him as the president of the Griffith and Narrabundah Community Association, and as a very active colleague on the ISCCC committee.
as a volunteer to stand up for local residents on a range of planning and development, environmental and other issues.
He will be sorely missed by his friends, colleagues and community. Vale David.
Marea Fatseas, Yarralumla
Let’s see the PM’s report on Higgins affair
Re the news story about Scott Morrison being called to possibly give evidence in the upcoming Linda Reynolds/Brittany Higgins defamation case.
Surely in the interests of justice, the report of the inquiry commissioned by the former prime minister into what, who and when did his ministers and their staff know about the events that occurred in Senator Reynold’s ministerial office in relation to the visit by Bruce Lehrmann and Higgins should be made public.
The inquiry was also asked to examine the media reports at the time, which suggested that a staffer in the prime minister’s office provided background briefing to selected media about Brittany Higgins.
What do they have to hide?
Rob Elder, Flynn
Barr-Rattenbury fail on development analysis
He was a lovely man, with great intelligence and sense of humour, who really cared about his community. He worked tirelessly
The discussion about the best future use of the Canberra racecourse raises wider issues
about our city’s future development.
Development proposals at the racecourse should consider recreational needs, infrastructure costs including flood mitigation, lease variation charges, possible alternative sites, housing demand and affordability.
Such evaluation should take place within the context of a residential settlement strategy assessing the merits of potential sites for infill, redevelopment and greenfield development.
The analysis should include the long term use of the Kowen pine forest, an area in close proximity to Canberra and of low environmental and economic value.
Such analysis is fundamental to the development of a more liveable and sustainable city.The failure of the Barr-Rattenbury government to undertake such analysis suggests it is past its use by date.
Mike Quirk, Garran
Mahatma has a message for Canberra voters
Mahatma Gandhi is reported to have said that “if there is an idiot in power, it means those who elected him are well represented”.
Perhaps the 63-64 per cent of Canberrans who habitually return the Barr government to power, but complain regularly about the appalling waste of public funds, the outrageous deficit and public debt and about the atrocious maintenance of our city, might take note of the Mahatma’s statement.
Max Flint, Erindale
With 50 years combined experience serving Canberra, choose a family run, community focused team to empower your business.
David Denham… really cared about his community.
THE GADFLY
Of rampaging rabbits, crows and culled kangaroos
The rabbits are back… if they ever really left.
When Charles Weston began the task in 1913 of providing Canberra with the green mantle that adorns our capital city and surrounds today, the Limestone Plains were overwhelmed by millions of them.
They were the progeny of 13 European wild rabbits imported by Thomas Austin, a British squatter in Victoria’s Winchelsea, for his sporting pleasure. By 1880 they had crossed the NSW border and multi plied exponentially.
One of Weston’s first hirings was 27-year-old James Carrington Brackenreg, an experienced rabbiter from Narrabri. He had developed a rabbit-proof fence and under Weston’s supervision he and his team sealed off 40-acre sections between Queanbeyan and the early Canberra settlement, then eliminated the voracious hordes separately in each one.
It was an extraordinary effort, using explosives to blow up their warrens, poison and guns to kill off the escapees, and finally dogs to clean up the survivors.
It was the first time that white Australians chose to assert their status as the apex predator by eliminating a wild animal. And given its non-indigenous background no one objects, either ethically or logically.
However, when the government of the national capital chooses to “cull” thousands of kangaroos annually, by shooting them dead, day or night –while at the same time asserting that certain killer birds are “protected” by its laws – a very different response is engendered.
First, I would argue that the capital’s administration has a duty to set an example to the rest of the country. It is, after all, the home of the prime minister and the governor-general,
the repository of our historic legacy and our symbols of nationhood.
Admittedly, the quality of our First Ministers since the Hawke government imposed self-government upon us has rarely thrown up a personage worthy of the role – Jon Stanhope for one and I’d include Kate Carnell, until she imploded the hospital. But the very idea of its administrators ordering the slaughter of one of the unique creatures that grace our coat of arms is absurd and obscene.
QUALITY AUSTRALIAN HEMP PRODUCTS
Why, I ask you, is the currawong and crow protected by law when the decorative and charming species are crying out for protection from them?
Indeed, it is doubly so when you consider that kangaroos have an in-built capacity to reduce their own breeding rate during times of sparsity. And if they represent a danger to themselves or our cars, they could be gradually moved to areas such as Namadgi National Park by the creative use of fire and fencing.
Birds raise different issues. Our native parrots and the tiny wrens and finches have been terrorised for decades by the myna birds as well as the currawongs and crows (ravens, if you will), which have invaded our city in the years following the big bushfire. They don’t call the gathering a “murder” of crows without reason. We are not alone, I’m sure, in witnessing the unequal battle for existence that has practically eliminated the gorgeously clad genus
Psittaciformes and the sweet little wrens and finches of yesteryear. They build their tiny nests and seek to raise their babies, before the imposing mynas and the black horrors descend upon them. The result is an outrage of violent death and bloodied feathers in the birdbath.
Why, I ask you, is the currawong and crow protected by law when the decorative and charming species are crying out for protection from them?
Charles Weston and JC Brackenreg fought the good fight against the invading rabbit during the Great War of 1914-18. Just over a century on, the invader has reappeared, this time with an aerial combat arm no less destructive than the four-footed armies already in possession of the high ground of City Hill.
Time, I suggest, to rally to the flag once more.
robert@robertmacklin.com
A lorry from Moruya loaded with rabbits. Image: National Museum of Australia
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
So many ways to improve health and wellbeing
With winter well and truly here, it’s important to stay fit and healthy. Everyone benefits from a healthy lifestyle, and whether it’s improving strength from home, attending small-group personal training sessions or managing pain, there are many ways to improve someone’s health.
CityNews speaks with a variety of health experts, all passionate about the wellbeing of their patients.
Mobile eye care from the comfort of home
Most people rate their sight as their most precious sense, and about 80 per cent of the information we receive from the outside world comes through our eyes, says Shane Brookman, founder of the mobile optometry service, Angel Eyecare.
“This means that your eyes are the best camera you’ll ever own,” he says.
“If our health is our wealth, then sight is worth more than gold.”
Shane says 90 per cent of blindness is avoidable if detected early, which is why regular eye care is so important.
With Angel Eyecare being fully mobile, Shane says they are able to bring the gift of sight right to the patient’s doorstep, so they can see better without having to leave the home.
“Our mission is to deliver an essential sight-saving mobile service to those who need it most,” he says.
“Making a difference by helping people see better is what gets us out of bed every morning.”
Email hello@angeleyecare.com.au or to schedule an appointment visit angeleyecare.com.au
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Old Parliament House and the John Gorton buildings will be lit in blue lights on July 14 to raise awareness of diabetes during National Diabetes Week, July 14-21, says Natalie Smith, Diabetes Australia general manager and health service operations, NSW and ACT.
“This year we are celebrating the advancement of technology in diabetes care, whilst continuing to advocate for additional services to be available to our community,” she says.
“For example, in recent years our community has celebrated the commence ment of continuous glucose monitoring for those living with type 1 diabetes, allowing constant monitoring of blood sugar levels, preventing multiple finger prick tests per day, and most importantly saving lives from unpredictable hypoglycaemic events.”
Diabetes Australia is focused on a world without diabetes, and is supporting research to achieve this, says Natalie.
She says they are also passionate about supporting the 1.5 million people living with diabetes in Australia and enhancing awareness to encourage early screening, with more than 120,000 people diagnosed annually and an additional 400,000 at risk of diabetes.
“Our team is passionate about supporting our community living with or at risk of
health assessment available on their website. There are also free educational programs available, clinical services with credited diabetes educators and dietitians, and online tools and resources to provide local support for those living with diabetes, says Natalie.
Diabetes Australia. Call 1800 177055, or visit diabetesaustralia.com.au
Angel Eyecare optomestrist Shane Brookman.
Diabetes Australia’s general manager for NSW and ACT Natalie Smith.
from a focus on the patient, not sales.
Christian says he and his staff are not only clinical people, but are also like motivational counsellors.
“People really want to know that there’s someone on their side, they’re not out there on their own,” he says.
“It’s all about trying to create a nice image for the public, not that they feel they’re coming in and have to buy something, they’re coming in because
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WINNUNGA NIMMITYJAH ABORIGINAL HEALTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
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
COVID-19 Vaccinations and Testing for Winnunga Clients
HEALTH AND WELLBEING advertising
Post-exertional malaise self-help course
Long covid at its worst is very like ME/CFS, often referred to as chronic fatigue syndrome, and it’s a condition that is particularly marked by a symptom known as post-exertional malaise, says Arthritis ACT, Pain Support and ME/CFS ACT CEO, Rebecca Davey.
“Post-exertional malaise is an overwhelming exhaustion that often does not match the tiredness that you would expect by an activity, and often it doesn’t kick in for a few days until after the activity, so it’s really hard to explain where it came from,” she says.
Arthritis ACT, Pain Support and ME/CFS ACT runs a regular self-help course for people living with any form of debilitating fatigue, says Rebecca.
The course is offered over Zoom and takes just one hour a week, Rebecca says.
It includes learning about the art of pacing, which Rebecca says is “working out what you need to do and how to keep life on course”.
In conjunction with the Capital Region Health Network, Rebecca says this program is able to be offered at no charge, aside from a small charge for a workbook.
“We also encourage loved ones to join this course with you, to help them to increase their understand ing of the challenges that you are facing,” she says.
“Remember we also have a clinical team of physi otherapists, OT, exercise physiologists who offer a range of fee for service care options, and we offer regular education talks and seminars on all areas of chronic pain including arthritis and debilitating fatigue,” says Rebecca.
Arthritis ACT, Pain Support & ME/CFS ACT, 170 Haydon Drive, Bruce. Call 1800 011041 or visit arthritisact.org.au
QCity is a hub for all aspects of podiatry, where owner Michelle Prophet and her team offer a wide range of services, including prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation for medical or surgical conditions relating to the feet and lower limbs.
“Your foot is often the first sign of other complications happening,” she says.
“That’s what our job is as podiatrists, to check nails, to look for anything that doesn’t seem within normal limits, and to investigate further in case it could be psoriasis, or diabetes, or circulation issues.”
Early detection of issues allows for better treatment, Michelle says, enormously reducing complications in diabetic feet in particular.
As such, it is recommended to go for a foot check every 12 months, and Michelle says QCity Podiatry can send the report to a patient’s GP.
QCity Podiatry offers all podiatry services supported by a range of state-of-the-art equip ment, including Swift Microwave treatment, laser therapy, shockwave therapy, all general treatments, orthotic therapy and pediatrics.
Michelle says her comprehensive podiatry services ensure that patients have everything they need, without having to travel to Canberra.
QCity Podiatry is also accessible through NDIS, Enhanced Primary Care plans and Chronic Disease Management plans, and the only people requiring referral are DVA patients.
“All you need to do is ring up and make an appointment,” she says.
Canberra Podiatry & QCity Podiatry, 3/80 Morisset Street, Queanbeyan. Call 6147 1616 or visit canberrapodiatry.com.au
gait
Arthritis ACT, Pain Support and ME/CFS ACT CEO Rebecca Davey.
SELF HELP COURSE
for Long COVID and chronic conditions with post-exertional malaise
EXERCISE CLASSES AVAILABLE
• Pilates • Tai Chi • Strength & Balance • GLAD for Hip and Knee OA
• Occupational Therapy – Assistance with the planning and modification of your home, workplace or car. Applications for NDIS, the Disability and Housing Support Pension, and also driving assessments.
• Physiotherapy – including the GLAD program for knee and hip osteoarthritis, sports injury prevention and rehabilitation, and pain condition support.
• Exercise Physiology – Individual exercise prescriptions, small group classes to increase strength and improve rehabilitation, strength and balance classes, hydrotherapy support.
DON’T FORGET ABOUT ACCESSING OUR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS WHO HELP MAKE YOUR EVERY DAY TASKS EASIER
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Limited places –bookings required FREE Course. Textbook $25 plus postage
* Post external malaise An out of proportion increase in symptoms after physical, mental or emotional activity
• Specialised Small Group Exercise Classes
“You do not need to have any particular condition to utilise our services, just a desire to ‘Build a Better You.’ Enquire or book today
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Getting help with hearing loss is all about improving com munication and gaining clarity, says Dr Vass
Dr Vass says taking the first step with a hearing test can be life-changing.
“We know hearing loss can be linked to anxiety, isolation, anger, relationship issues, work issues and miscommunication in general,” he says.
“After treatment or rehabilitation patients can find it a lot easier to get along with people, don’t have to guess so much and are much more confident in their communication skills, especially with their partner.”
While hearing loss can come with ageing, Dr Vass says it can also often affect young people, too.
“Those exposed to loud noises in military and construction fields can experience hearing loss. Some people might
be genetically exposed to hearing loss or there could be viral
“It’s very important to act early. Waiting too long can start
“We find that those people who put off getting help with their hearing loss for long periods don’t have as successful outcomes as those who seek help earlier.”
Dr Vass says patients have the certainty that they’ll be seeing him when they visit the clinic and that he will provide one-on-one, tailored care and advice.
“It’s rewarding to help people not be so isolated, and help improve their communication with others, especially their loved ones,” he says.
Dr Vass Hearing Clinic, suite 14, John James Medical Centre, 175 Strickland Crescent, Deakin. Visit drvasshearing.com.au or call 6282 2717.
Bruce Sports Medicine in Hall looks after people of all ages and abilities to help them with their quality of life, says owner Dr Wilson Lo, and they have recently welcomed a new addition to the team.
Cailyn Murphy is a women’s health exercise physiologist and Dr Lo says she is available for consultations for women with pelvic pain, including pain from endometriosis and PCOS, and for women recovering from surgery or injury who need to activate their core.
Dr Lo says she is also running a mums and
new mums from six weeks postpartum.
There are also the same familiar faces, Dr Lo says, with new group classes on offer.
“Ryan Connell is our long-standing exercise physiologist who also is the physical performance coach of the Canberra Raiders NRLW Team,” says Dr Lo.
“He is starting up group classes including a strength and balance class, and also a running group.”
Hearing Clinic principal Dr William Vass.
Dr William Vass.
biomechanical balance
Dr Trevor Law, sports medicine doctor of Global Health Plus, says feet are important for biomechanical balance, like the foundation of a building.
“If unbalanced, it can cause problems of ankles, knees, hips and spine,” he says.
Trevor, who started his sports medicine practice in 1992, provides a range of services, including general sports medicine, custom-made foot orthotics and PRP injection under ultrasound.
He says he has a computerised orthotic scanning system for accurate orthotics production, that uses a patented pins-scanning technique to accurately map the sole of the foot.
“I have hugely positive feedback, and referrals from patients and other doctors,” he says. Trevor says he is also heavily involved in football medicine, having been involved in the sport for more than 30 years as a national team doctor for Football Australia and a medical officer of the Asian Football Confederation and FIFA.
Global Health Plus, Suite 4, Level 2, 19 Napier Close, Deakin. Call 6260 5757.
Diabetes is the fastest growing chronic condition in Australia
Dr Trevor Law, Global Health Plus sports medicine doctor.
GARDENING
Mid-winter, but there’s still colour
It’s almost mid-winter, the soil will be cold, the garden is dormant and growth of plants is at a minimum.
At this time of the year, we depend on evergreen shrubs and winter flowers to create interest outdoors.
Plants flowering now are echiums, witch hazels and filberts. From these, flowers range from dramatic spikes, spider-looking flowers and catkins, and all can create drama in a winter corner right through to spring.
I’m trying a new one – Pride of Madeira (Echium candicans) – in my garden this season. It is drought hardly, fast growing but short lived and needs replacing every three to five years. It needs a little frost protection, and its spires of blue flower flowers begin to form now and will give many months of floral display.
After a few years it goes woody and slowly dies. On rare occasions, it can self-seed.
Most importantly, it needs good drainage; it’s happier in poor soils than rich organic ones and will grow well in hot summer sun. A cousin of comfrey and borage, it too likes the same growing conditions we have.
The most common echium that we know is Paterson’s curse (Echium plantagineum) on the hills surrounding Canberra. Toxic to livestock, this weed
spreads via seed that germinates mid-summer to late autumn. In late winter a large annual flower spike appears and self-seeds into bushland.
Paterson curse and all plants from this family are nectar magnets for birds, insects and bees and it’s common to see a bee farm set up by apiarists nearby. If you have Paterson’s curse, remove it to the green recycling bin.
WHEN the weather is miserable, we can still garden indoors by making a Japanese-style house plant called a Kodama or moss ball. Succulents, ferns and small leaf plants that have fibrous roots work well.
Once you have chosen a rooted plant, wash off the old potting mix and mix moist sphagnum moss and fine potting mix in equal amounts around the roots and wrap with gardener’s twine around and around until all the root ball is covered, leaving the stem of the plant clear.
The bigger your imagination the bigger the ball and more than one plant can be used as well. Dunk the moss ball into a water bowl with seaweed solution once a week and hang up indoors to display in sheltered light. In the warmer months it can be hung outside in the garden.
Misting with water can be done between deep waterings and will need to be increased in the warmer months. I have used Crassula arborescens successfully or a local native that will grow well as a Kodama is the common maidenhair fern ( Adiantum aethiopicum).
JULY is a great time to get pruning for apples and pears and generally all pome fruits. Some apples have different varieties that have different pruning techniques so knowing if you have a tip-bearing apple or a spur-bearing variety will go a long way to knowing how to prune them.
Spur-bearing or heritage apples can be trimmed to create stems that are the thickness of a pencil to be cut to 5-6 buds. Remove smaller branches and give new stems space to grow.
Tip-bearing apples are pruned by leaving their lateral shoots 20cm long and reduce height and size over all. Pears are spur bearing and can be pruned the same as heritage apples. Both of these are worthy of growing in our climate and I would recommend dwarf varieties because their maximum growth is two metres and more manageable to net, spray and, most of all, pick from the ground.
jackwar@home.netspeed.com.au
Jottings…
• Prune hydrangeas leaving three double buds from the base.
• Foliar feed all growing vegeta- bles early in the morning.
• Turn over leaf mould and compost and add leaves if too soggy.
Pride of Madeira… drought hardly, fast growing but short lived.
Photos: Jackie Warburton
A Japanese-style house plant called a Kodama or moss ball.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
The Bear gets the viewing ingredients just right NICK
Harmer’s new comedy – a club for grandparents INSIDE
By Helen MUSA
Comedian Wendy Harmer
may be bringing the lives of grandparents to life in a new stage play she’s written called The Grandparents’ Club, but she’s not a grandparent – not yet, anyway.
“I have a 24-year-old daughter and a son aged 26,” she tells me when we catch up by phone.
“I was 39 when I was married and then had kids at ages 42 and 44, so I’m not holding my breath.”
“I often say, hurry up, I won’t be around long and I’m too old to go jumping on the trampoline.”
Her son tells her he doesn’t know if he wants to have kids and that there’s plenty of time, but in her view, “he’s been dragging the chain a bit”.
No, she’s not a member of The Grandparents’ Club featured in the play, which bears its name, but she is well aware that her complaints are a familiar refrain among signed-up members.
Well before Harmer had any ideas of writing on the subject, there was a popular
Facebook page called The Grandparents Club, the authors of which, Lyndi Adler and Maree Kirkland-Morris, commissioned her to write this piece and are the producers.
“They thought it would make a good
stage show and once I got going, I began to think they were on to something,” she says.
“It seems to have people who go to the shows roaring with laughter,” she says with some amazement, “I’ve written the book and
John Field, who’s written a couple of hundred songs for The Wiggles, wrote the music.”
Luke Joslin directs and there are four people in the cast, including Wayne Scott Kermond, well known to Canberrans as a vaudeville performer, playing club president and host, Jimmy Bigelow.
As club regulars Liz, Jeff, and Maria, are Lynne McGranger, who has appeared in Home & Away, as Irene for more than 30 years; Andrew James, a seasoned actor known for his roles for Bell, Sydney Theatre Company, Nimrod and Griffin, and Meredith O’Reilly, a professional entertainer for 40
The setting for the 90-minute comedy revue is the fictional Grandparents Club, a haven of refuge.
“When the girls came to me about writing the show, they gave me an open book,” Harman says, “so I decided to make the characters members of The Grandparents Club.”
“Grandparents are doing some really heavy-duty work in the economy at the moment with both parents having to go to work. Grandparents are doing a huge amount of unpaid work. And don’t forget there’s also the bank of Grandma and Grandpa, that’s the serious side of things.”
But they can have fun at the club, which has an all-you-can-eat buffet, bar, café and spa and, on the top floor, the gym.
“And, yes, there are walking frames… to me, the greatest highlight is Wayne Scott
Kermond conducting the class in Chair Zoomba… he’s such an experienced comedian so has a lot of audience interaction.”
McGranger, she says, has a plum part, one which will be very familiar to audiences. Her character’s in a bit of a hurry to have grandkids.
“There’s a whole generation of young people who are delaying having kids, so there’s a group of people with a real grandparent-lust, one reason I was so attracted to this subject.”
It’s such a universal subject in fact that it prompts songs, 17 of them in fact.
“People are telling me it’s really magical, it feels like a circle has been filled, the circle of life.”
There’s a song about how to share photos, and a favourite of Harmer’s, Child of Mine, based on an Egyptian proverb that says, “the dearest child you’ll ever hold is the child of your child.”
“The tissues will be out there,” Harmer suspects, “But I avoid mawkishness and bathos, for God’s sake, it’s a comedy.”
“I do make a pre-recorded appearance as the lady in the front office saying, ‘good evening, ladies, the courtesy bus is ready.’ It’s all a bit of a hoot and people should go and have a laugh.”
The Grandparents’ Club – A Comedy Musical, The Playhouse, July 13 and 14 (both with matinees).
Wendy Harmer, left, with Grandparents’ Club cast members Lynne McGranger and John Field… “The tissues will be out there. But I avoid mawkishness and bathos; for God’s sake, it’s a comedy,” Harmer says. Photo: David Hooley
Star soprano brings Echoed Voices to Albert Hall
By Helen Musa
National Opera has fallen on its feet in securing the right to host Mildura-born star soprano Siobhan Stagg, who will perform with pianist Nico de Villiers at Albert Hall later this month.
The unusual recital, Echoed Voices, will feature works by Richard Hageman, Richard Strauss and Henri Duparc and is a welcome departure from the “great hits of opera” format so often rolled out.
When I catch up with Stagg, 37, by phone to Germany, she’s performed seven concerts in two weeks, but is heading back to her home to Berlin.
Stagg’s rise to the top has been meteoric. With a swag of important prizes behind her both in Australia and Europe, she has sung for the then Prince Charles and for Queen Mary, of Denmark.
“It’s a long way from Mildura,” she tells me.
“First and foremost I’m Australian… you never forget where you come from, as Melba said… And now I’m on the board of directors with the Melba Opera Trust.”
After joining the Deutsche Oper Berlin as a young artist, she spent six years there as a principal soloist, singing Sophie in Der Rosenkavalier, Micaëla in Carmen, Gilda in Rigoletto, Marguerite in Les Huguenots, Musetta in La Boheme and Zerlina in Don Giovanni, to name just a few of her lead roles.
Even as a young artist, she stepped into
serious roles elsewhere at short notice, notably Pamina in Mozart’s The Magic Flute at London’s Royal Opera House, a high point, because it was broadcast in cinemas – her family in Australia could watch it on the big screen.
Her US debut was as Cinderella in Massenet’s Cendrillon at the Lyric Opera of Chicago and, back at home, she sang Mélisande in Pelléas et Mélisande for
Victorian Opera, winning her a 2019 Green Room Award.
Born and raised in Mildura, her family was not particularly musical and the local school offered Italian and Indonesian but not German, which she has now mastered.
But watching TV she was fascinated by Carols by Candlelight and the opening ceremony of the Olympics, then got involved
in musical theatre and played Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance.
“I moved to Melbourne at age 18. That’s where I saw my first professional symphony performance and opera… I was hooked.”
South African pianist, coach and author Nico de Villiers is her associate artist.
He has long been infatuated with the Dutch-American composer, Richard
ARTS IN THE CITY
Hageman, stupendously famous in his time after becoming an American citizen in 1925, conducting for the Metropolitan Opera and coaching at the Curtis Institute.
Hageman is known in Hollywood, where he shared an Academy Award for his score to John Ford’s western, Stagecoach, and acted as conductor Carlo Santi in The Great Caruso.
A late starter as a serious composer, Hageman nonetheless left behind an extensive songbook, setting words by Noble Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, GK Chesterton, John Masefield and William Butler Yeats.
“It’s been Nic’s passion project for a decade, he’s spent years giving Hageman’s music a spot in the limelight – he founded the Richard Hagerman Society and he’s been recording the music,” Stagg says.
“His music speaks to me,” she says. “He hit the honey spot for the soprano voice,”
Together they have released an album with Aliud Records, Voices: Songs by Richard Hageman. The concert will pretty well follow the CD, with De Villiers, the expert, speaking a little to explain.
“There are a couple of famous songs on the album, like Do Not Go My Love, which we will perform in Canberra.”
After opening in Canberra, they travel on to Hobart, the Ukaria cultural Centre in SA, the Mildura Arts Centre, Queensland Performing Arts Centre and four performances of different works at Southbank in Melbourne.
Echoed Voices, Siobhan Stagg and Nico de Villiers in recital, Albert Hall, July 19.
Song, dance and worlds collide
A comedian and an opera singer’s worlds collide when two old mates, tenor David Hobson and Colin Lane, of comedy duo Lano and Woodley, team up for a song and dance show called In Tails. From vastly different backgrounds, they say: “Gee, wouldn’t it be nice to have a go at what that other guy does?” The Playhouse, July 12.
In its excitement to announce that Ylaria Rogers would be its director for The Merry Widow, the grandly-titled National Opera has gone overboard in saying: “Ylaria founded Canberra’s first semi-professional theatre company, Heart Strings Theatre Co.” Certainly not so. In the more than 100 years of theatre in Canberra, there have been many, many companies to make this claim, with varying degrees of credibility.
Strathnairn Arts’ annual fun competition, Squares (the name tells it all – you paint square pictures) is back and open to everyone,
ners share in a prize pool of $2250. Registration closes August 4. Details at strathnairn.com.au
Coro chamber choir makes a welcome return under the baton of David Mackay, with Barbara Jane Gilby as orchestra leader, at Wesley Uniting Church, Forrest, July 14.
Hell Herons, a new spoken-word/ music collective largely based in the ACT, has released its debut 16-song album, The Wreck Event. Featuring Melinda Smith, CJ Bowerbird, Stuart Barnes and Nigel Featherstone, it is the result of two and half years working on combining spokenword poetry with original music.
Canberra-born classical guitarist Rupert Boyd and American cellist, Laura Metcalf, who perform as Boyd Meets Girl, will be back in town from New York with a house concert at 17 Astelia Place, Rivett, on July 11.
After months of refurbishment work on campus, Friends of the ANU Classics Museum’s volunteer guides are conducting a presentation, Highlights of the Museum, looking at a variety of objects over two days, July 8 and 15.
Pianist Marcela Fiorillo is taking a break from a busy teaching career in Canberra during July to visit her native Argentina where she will present her new album, Clásicos Argentinos, and give masterclasses for the National University of Musical and Sound Arts.
Colin Lane, left, and David Hobson… The Playhouse, July 12.
Soprano Siobhan Stagg and pianist Nico de Villiers.
Photo: Ben Reason
DINING / D’Browes, Narrabundah
Full flavours meet large portions
In the cold, shivery winter months there’s nothing like indulging in a hearty, warming meal, rich in flavour and designed to comfort every bone in your body.
D’Browes, in Narrabundah, specialises in full flavours and large portions with many dishes and food that nourishes the soul.
Some dishes have featured on the menu for many moons (indeed, the kitchen wouldn’t dare remove some of the most long-standing popular ones). Specials are offered to hold interest, especially for D’Browes’ long list of regular fans.
One dish D’Browes is well known for is kidneys ($23), cooked so they are soft and moist (kidneys can be dry and dusty if not treated with full respect). Served in a metal dish, to keep them piping hot, they were true heaven with a grain mustard wine cream sauce.
Another long-standing dish is the field and forest mushrooms with white wine and parsley cream ($23), cream being a fave ingredient of D’Browes (butter, too!). Umami delicious savouri ness features in every bite.
Duck Maryland has always been a stand-out meal at DeBrowes ($36) – crispy, crunchy skin and poached pear rounding out the dish. The mash was rustic and yum. The beans were overcooked for my liking.
On our visit, octopus was an option, and I was attracted – as I always am – by the promise of fresh herbs, lemon and chilli. The octopus was poached first and then tossed on the grill to get that wonderful, charred effect, without compromising on tenderness. It was a huge portion, and the char was excellent, but I couldn’t really taste the chilli.
Also on our visit was the punch Cotechino on
WINE / crisp white
leek crepe when it’s available. It’s her all-time favourite, with the chicken moist, the crepe lovely and soft and the leeks delicate.
D’Browes has a highly flexible set menu option at lunch – design your own meal (two courses $50 and three courses $60). The dinner set menu option is also great value (10 or more people and includes bread and corkage – two courses $60 and three courses $70).
showcase sticky date pudding, crème caramel, tartufo, pears and zabaglione, and profiteroles.
Cheese lovers enjoy a mixed combo with dried fruits, almonds, hazelnuts and biscuits ($25).
The interior at D’Browes is designed around warm tones and an elegant look, with white tablecloth service. The friendly service is efficient (almost too efficient, with some plates whisked away before everyone finished).
Rage, rage and hunt down those bargains
As I looked at the state of the garden in my house at Tathra I was reminded of that weird pronouncement by comedian Steven Wright: “The sooner you fall behind, the more time you’ll have to catch up.”
It was another round of Calver versus the ki kuyu, which had managed to become entrenched in three of the garden beds where it seemed intent on strangling the desirable plant life.
This grass (pennisetum clandestinum) to the highland regions of east Africa. It spreads rapidly via roots and stems, and its steady takeover of all in its path reminded me of the kudzu from the Margaret Atwood dystopian MaddAddam trilogy that survives the “waterless flood” and chokes most other vegetative life.
$16.50 a bottle.
The removal of kikuyu from my garden beds is a precursor to considerations of the consumption of good food and wine.
I’d indicated to my friend that post-gardening, I’d be cooking pork fried rice, using a large pork medallion that I’d pre-cooked in white wine and lemon juice, thinly sliced, with zucchini and asparagus and given added flavour through chilli and soy sauce.
To go with the pork, he’d purchased a Brokenwood Cricket Pitch Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2023 from Liquorland in Bega at a reduced price: $16 a bottle, which was a $6 discount from the normal recommended retail of $22. Bang on value for money, as the best price other than this bargain I spotted in my online searches was a members’ offer of $99 for a case
Over dinner, we had a discussion about whether or not the current economic environment was affecting our purchasing decisions and how we could better budget in retirement.
In part of his riposte, he held up the now empty bottle of white. He said: “You know, Richard, my first attempt at retirement was in 2013 and lasted 11 months before ending. In 2013 inflation was about one per cent in the December quarter because I looked up how the value of my money was changing.
“It has since bounced upwards annoyingly. So let’s make every attempt to provide one of the pleasures of life at these obtainable levels.”
What sort of white sells for only $16? The winery’s website says that this wine is a blend of 81 per cent
sauvignon blanc and 19 per cent semillon.
The same site says that the grapes come from multiple south-eastern Australian growing regions.
To better understand the wine, I spoke with Carlee Watson, brand manager at Brokenwood. She told me that this wine “is zesty and well-structured that shows the talent of the winemaker, Stuart Hordern”.
“Cricket Pitch is our entry level wine, so if you like this one you’ll love our other wine,” she said. I didn’t tell her about my attempt at Asian cooking, but almost like a telepath she offered that the wine went well with Asian dishes. It did, the acid cutting through the heaviness of the
During and after dinner, I did not once crack a joke about my friend’s abstemiousness with money because I could only applaud the wine he’d bought at a bargain price and because it matched so well with the evening repast.
Just like the persistent and annoying kikuyu in my Tathra garden, the effects of inflation are winding themselves around our economic life and attempting to strangle its joys. Don’t let it: hunt down those bargains.
“Inflation is when you pay $15 for the $10 haircut you used to get for $5 when you had hair.”
–Sam Ewing
Creek
Kidneys… served in a metal dish, to keep them piping hot. Photos: Wendy Johnson
Octopus… poached first and then tossed on the grill.
STREAMING
The Bear gets the viewing ingredients just right
INGREDIENTS:
A dozen actors at the top of their game.
1 x finely prepared script, sprinkled with some quick-witted dialogue. Plenty of big-budget production value.
Mix well and serve up on Disney Plus to get The Bear, one of streaming’s most enthralling and entertaining dramas set in the dramatic throes of a restaurant kitchen.
with 10 new episodes for fans to devour.
Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto, a passionate but worn-down chef who takes over his family’s Italian beef sandwich shop after the suicide of his older brother.
It’s a dark setup to a series that delivers an authentic inside look at life as a cook.
Carmy promises to turn his brother’s sandwich shop into a fine piece of Chicago dining, despite facing a mountain of unresolved debt, unruly staff and a kitchen that would make Gordon Ramsay go nuclear.
Part of what makes The Bear so appealing is its consistent ability to not overcook itself.
Episodes range between 20 and 30 minutes, with bite-size run times that focus on quality rather than quantity.
I’ve managed to make it through the first
two seasons of The Bear twice since it came out in 2022, both times in only just a few days because of how easy it is to watch. It’s perfect to put on after work for a dose of prestige TV drama that won’t chew up hours.
The Bear season three so far is as promis-
ing as ever, once again proving viewers don’t need to be fascinated with the culinary world to get cravings for this one.
IF that doesn’t sound pulse pounding enough, those with an SBS On Demand account might want to check out Good Time.
This 2017 film stars Robert Pattinson as Connie Nikas, a small-time criminal in New York whose life is turned upside down when a bank robbery goes terribly wrong, sending his young brother and accomplice to prison.
A tablespoon of black comedy. And some heart-pounding tension. Open every weekend from 10am to 4pm Cafe open from 10am to 3pm
Connie does everything he can to evade police custody while trying to break his brother out, a punishment made even harder for a man who is cognitively impaired.
It’s Josh and Bennie Safdie behind Good Time, the same directorial duo who made 2019’s crime thriller Netflix hit Uncut Gems with Adam Sandler.
That’s a movie which split audiences but those who got a kick out of it will enjoy their earlier film that’s arguably even better than Uncut Gems.
Benny Safdie himself also stars in Good Time as Pattinson’s younger brother, showing off quite the gamut of talent indeed.
It’s 100 minutes of colourful crime drama charged with a frenetic energy that’s able to put viewers on the edge of their seats.
Offbeat but certainly worth a try, Good Time more than justifies its title.
APPLE TV+ is pedalling its newest piece of star power with a new thriller series called Presumed Innocent.
This time it’s Jake Gyllenhaal who takes the spotlight.
He’s Rusty Sabich, a slick criminal lawyer who becomes a suspect in a major investigation when his co-worker is savagely murdered.
Moody and menacing, Gyllenhaal is superb as usual, this time putting his talents to TV rather than the movies, his first appearance in this era of prestige television.
It’s like a mish-mash of some of his best performances from movies like Zodiac and Prisoners. His performance holds this eight-episode mini-series together.
Presumed Innocent doesn’t reinvent the wheel by any stretch of the imagination. This is a tried and true crime drama that will tick the boxes of anyone in search of something gritty and well-made.
And to coincidentally come full circle, like The Bear, Presumed Innocent is also set in Chicago.
Maybe go for the former though if the aim is to keep your appetite.
90 minutes from the heart of Canberra Trip Advisor rating Facebook rating
Jeremy Allen White as Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto… The Bear is now in its third season.
HOROSCOPE PUZZLES
By Joanne Madeline Moore
ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)
The planetary patterns highlight freedom, education, adventure and creative projects. If you pace yourself and prioritise, then you’ll get things done without feeling rushed and frazzled. It’s also a good week to socialise with family members and neighbours, as you participate in some lively and stimulating conversations. But avoid getting drawn into an intense argument (especially with children and friends) where you end up saying things that you later regret.
TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 21)
Careful communication is the key to an enjoyable week for Bulls. Venus and Uranus encourage you to release old grudges and let bygones be bygones. Plus, Mercury and Jupiter urge you to work through domestic dramas and family squabbles in a proactive and diplomatic way. Your motto is from birthday great, writer Marcel Proust: “Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”
GEMINI (May 22 – June 21)
Don’t allow a loved one to manipulate you, as they try to persuade you to do something against your better judgment. Have the emotional strength (and common sense) to stand your ground and say: no. With your ruler Mercury (and Venus) transiting through fiery Leo, you’ve got energy to burn but make sure you channel it into productive pursuits. Mental activities and current affairs are favoured, as you pick up information with lightning speed.
CANCER (June 22 – July 23)
Avoid getting drawn into dramatic disputes with family and friends, especially involving money and/or possessions. This week will work best if you keep your Crab claws out of other people’s business and concentrate on pursuing personal projects instead. Thursday is the best day of the week, when the Sun and Venus (both in Cancer) form fabulous aspects with Saturn and Neptune. So it’s a good day to focus your energy and follow creative pursuits.
LEO (July 24 – Aug 23)
Thursday’s Sun/Saturn trine is fabulous for focused thought, good judgement, creative work and making the most of golden opportunities that come your way. But the more stubborn and arrogant you are (especially on Friday and Saturday) the more likely you’ll get drawn into an argument, either in person or online. With people-pleasing Venus visiting your sign (from Friday until August 5) it’s time for lots of Leo charm and an extra dollop of diplomacy.
VIRGO (Aug 24 – Sept 23)
Your very discreet Virgo nature is emphasised, as Mercury (your power planet) moves from your peer group zone into your solitude zone. Make it a priority to connect with like-minded people who understand your particular peccadillos and strong need for privacy. But a loved one could be temperamental, so handle them with extra care. Things aren’t as straight-forward as they seem. Don’t skip over the details - get someone you trust to help you out.
LIBRA (Sept 24 – Oct 23)
Monday’s invigorating Venus/Uranus link encourages a work breakthrough or a brand-new friendship. Then the Venus/Neptune trine is fabulous for creative and spiritual pursuits. But Friday’s Venus/Pluto opposition could stir up a complicated romance or a childhood jealousy. With Venus (your patron planet) and Mercury visiting your peer group zone, a dash of diplomacy and improved communication skills will help smooth over a troubled friendship.
SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 22)
You’re keen to call the shots this week but domineering behaviour will only lead to unpleasant dramas (especially on Friday) so slip on your humility hat instead. And don’t underestimate your ability to inspire others. Coupled Scorpios – with Jupiter transiting through your intimacy zone, a frustrating problem with your partner could finally be resolved. Singles – Cupid’s love arrows are most likely to strike while you are working, studying or travelling.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23 – Dec 21)
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are your best days, when Jupiter (your boss planet) makes positive connections with Mercury and your Destiny Point. So it’s the perfect time to make a list of your future goals and surround yourself with positive people. Your motto is from fellow Sagittarian, writer Mark Twain: “Keep away from people who belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you too can become great.”
CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 20)
The Sun, Venus and Uranus activate creative projects and fire up romance, but the Venus/Pluto opposition could complicate a close relationship. So aim to be creative and compassionate – but also robust and resilient. Then the bumps along the road will make you stronger. It’s also a good week to become more involved with volunteer projects and philanthropic pursuits. When it comes to your local community, shake off your shyness and get involved.
AQUARIUS (Jan 21 – Feb 19)
This week Pluto (transiting through your sign) opposes Mercury, which could stir up your contrary nature. If you must disagree with other people, then try to do so in a respectful and constructive way. The Venus/Uranus link also revs up your bohemian side, as you question authority and express your Aquarian quirkiness. Your mantra for the moment is from suffragette (and birthday great) Emmeline Pankhurst: “I would rather be a rebel than a slave.”
PISCES (Feb 20 – Mar 20)
Are you running on empty? Perceptive Pisceans will strive to get the ratio right between being on top of things at work, while still having time to rest, reflect and recharge your run-down batteries. Balance is the key. But relations with a loved one or work colleague could be stressful and problematic later in the week, particularly if you try to control an uncontrollable situation. So expect the unexpected and keep your adaptability muscles well-flexed!
Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2024
3 Name the Shakespearean jovial fat knight of brazen assurance and few scruples. (8)
7 What is the acacia tree commonly known as? (6)
8 What do we call one who swallows or eats up ravenously? (8)
9 Name a lottery in which the prizes are usually goods rather than money? (6)
10 To restore confidence, is to do what? (8)
11 Name the thinner one of an outstanding comedy duo of yesteryear. (6)
14 What is commendation or honour given for some action, quality, etc? (6)
17 To leave one country to settle in another, is to do what? (8)
18 What is an aggregate of nations ruled over by a powerful sovereign? (6)
19 Which plants include monkshood and wolf’s bane? (8)
20 How many players are there in a hockey team. (6)
21 What, in US history, are leaders of the people? (8)
1 What was the former Dutch name of Jakarta? (7)
2 What is an employee often called? (7)
3 Which term relates to the league between nations or states? (7)
4 Who finances a radio or TV program? (7)
5 To be on to the shore, is to be what? (7)
6 Name the Australian explorer responsible for the European discovery of valuable land in WA, Alexander ... (7)
11 Which term describes the movement towards the quarter towards which the wind blows? (7)
12 What does a policeman wear? (7)
13 Name a pendulous ornament. (7)
14 What do edam and cheddar describe? (7)
15 To have burst forth as volcanic matter, is to have done what? (7)
16 What, colloquially, are the keys of a piano called? (7)
CHARTERED
Of interest to employers and employees alike is that from July 1 the superannuation guarantee increases to 11.5 per cent. There will be one further increase on July 1 2025 to 12 per cent, which will be the last of the legislated obligatory increases.
If you make maximum contributions, the maximum amount you can contribute from July 1 is $30,000. This is an increase of $2500.
In addition, if you are able to make carry forward concessional contributions the first year has now dropped off and you can only make contributions going back five years.
So this is an opportunity if your superannuation balance is less than $500,000 on July 1 to use up some of your carry forward concessional contributions because once your balance exceeds $500,000 you will not be able to use up your balance.
In addition to being able to make a $30,000 tax deductible (concessional) contribution, you can also make a non-concessional contribution of $120,000. It is also possible to bring forward three years so you can actually make a maximum contribution of $360,000, this is also effective from July 1, 2024.
However, if you have contributed the maximum you can't make any other contributions for three years, so you need to be focused if you decide to put in the maximum amount.
Have you checked whether you are eligible to get a Centrelink pension? I have seen a few people who are eligible for some Centrelink, but have not applied.
It is a good idea to get some professional advice just in case it's something you can apply for. In addition, even if you aren’t eligible for any Centrelink pension you still may be eligible for a senior’s healthcare card. The Centrelink pension test has both an income and an assets test whereas the healthcare card is only based on income. So it is possible to qualify for a health-care card and not be eligible for a Centrelink pension.
Also a reminder to employers to make sure to pay staff superannuation on time. Not only do you have to pay an extra charge if your super is paid late, but the payments you make are not tax-deductible. Also a reminder that from July 1 2026 you will have to pay your staff superannuation when paying staff wages. It's a good idea to plan for that now so that it will not be too much of an impost on your cash flow when it becomes law.
If your superannuation balance is approaching $3 million or is over $3 million, it is important to remember that from July 1 2025 there will be an extra tax on earnings where superannuation balances exceed $3 million.
If this sounds like it might impact you, I suggest you get professional advice and guidance now. The legislation is restrictive and while you have to pay the 30 per cent tax rate on earnings if you make a loss or go below $3 million there is not an offsetting deduction. So it will take careful planning in the future.
And don't forget you may be eligible to make a downsizer contribution to super if you sell your home. You can also make nonconcessional contributions up to the age of 75 without having to pass the work test whereas you have to satisfy the work test if you are making concessional contributions up to age 75. There are always plenty of changes in the superannuation area. Please make sure you are up-to-date and if you are managing a self-managed fund (SMSF) make sure that you are doing everything correctly as these funds have to be audited every year.
If you need any advice on superannuation, retirement or your SMSF contact the expert team at Gail Freeman & Co on 6295 2844..
Disclaimer
This column contains general advice, please do not rely on it. If you require specific advice on this
Canberra Memorial Parks
Cremation – Burial – Memorialisation
Canberra Memorial Parks is there for you to celebrate and honour the life of a loved one and find them a beautiful resting place, or to plan your end-of-life options.
Our facilities and experience allow us to facilitate a wide range of religious, cultural and family traditions in your end-of-life planning.
• Gungahlin Crematorium at Gungahlin Cemetery offers a wide range of facilities including a private viewing room which is ideal for intimate services.
• Our natural burial area at Gungahlin Cemetery offers burial options with a lower environmental impact.
• Eternity Memorial Garden at Woden Cemetery is a beautiful space where ashes can be laid-to-rest and loved ones memorialised.
• The Olive Grove development at Gungahlin Cemetery offers a premium lawn burial option to complement our range of burial products.
To make an appointment to explore end-of-life options for yourself or your loved ones, contact Canberra Memorial Parks on (02) 6207 0000.
www.canberramemorialparks.act.gov.au