According to a press release from Andrew Barr the ACT government will be coughing up $5 million to go towards a new sports precinct at UC.
Several community sports organisations will be housed int he new facilities.
The ACT Budget will include a $5m grant over 4 years to accommodate community sport within the new sports precinct [...]

This morning Andrew Barr opened Entry 29, a new work space whose goal is to assist start-up businesses.
Located in Childers Street, near the ANU, Entry 29 is aimed at encouraging and driving the technology development process by allowing start-up operators to mingle and collaborate with like-minded individuals.
It also offers meeting facilities, access to [...]

The Candle Lighting Ceremony hosted in Canberra by the Domestic Violence Crisis Service (DVCS) was held last night. The National Candle Lighting Ceremony, held on the first Wednesday of May each year, is in remembrance of those who have died and also acknowledging the profound impact each of these deaths have on thos left [...]

Andrew Barr has announced he’s off on a death march through Singapore and Jakarta:
Next month I will lead a trade mission to Singapore and Jakarta, during which the ACT Government will begin the formal push for direct international flights between Canberra and Singapore.
While in Singapore I will meet key aviation stakeholders to promote the benefits [...]

Andrew Barr is having some fun with Liberal Leader Jeremy Hanson’s new found distaste for progressivism:
In the Legislative Assembly this morning, Mr Hanson moved a motion criticising the ACT Government for being progressive, and labelled as extreme and progressive Government policies such as renewable energy targets and emission reduction targets.
However, in his maiden speech to [...]

Brendan Smyth has the disturbing news that no price is too high to build the Capital Metro:
Smyth: You said there is more work to do before we go to procurement?
Barr: That’s correct.
Smyth: So whatever the numbers turn up its going ahead?
Barr: Well yes, we are committed to this project.
Later, Mr Barr put it beyond [...]

Andrew Barr’s office has pushed out the news that the ACTTAB privatisation will be overseen by consultancy juggernaut PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC):
The study will identify the full range of future ownership options and the issues associated with each. The various options range from retaining full government ownership and possible improvements to existing operational/governance arrangements, or the partial [...]

Andrew Barr has announced he’s getting ready to sell off some silverware to balance his books:
The ACT Government will be commissioning a detailed review into future ownership and governance arrangements of ACTTAB.
A feasibility study will be undertaken to identify the full range of future ownership options and the issues associated with each. The various options [...]

An hilarious video promoting Canberra (with special appearance by the Minister for Tourism, Andrew Barr) has been uploaded:
The video is also accompanied by an even more hilarious travel story by author of Funny English Errors and The Funny Dictionary, Troy Simpson, which shows the funny things that can happen when accents get in the way [...]

[ 2 February, 2013; 8:00 pm; ]

The Qwire is letting it be known they’re celebrating their 20th year with a big bash at Teatro Vivaldi and with Andrew Barr.

Q20 is a celebration of the Canberra Gay and Lesbian Qwire’s 20 years of Community and Music.

More details here and on facebook.

Andrew Barr is calling for nominees to the increasingly awkwardly named ACT Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) Community Advisory Council:
The ACT Government is committed to Canberra as a socially and culturally inclusive community that celebrates its diversity and supports LGBTI Canberrans.
The Council provides an opportunity to discuss and provide advice to government [...]

The official “app” of the National Attractions has been released by Andrew Barr and the National Capital Authority.
It looks a lot like a mobile website.
Your thoughts dear readers?

UPDATE 21/12/12 09:42: Senator Lundy has taken up her pom poms to explain:
The Canberra Guide has been developed in collaboration between the National Capital Authority (NCA) and the [...]

@canberracaps that is a terrible photo!
— Lauren Jackson (@laurenej15) December 19, 2012

For reasons passing immediate understanding the Capitals have tweeted Andrew Barr and Lauren Jackson at today’s big photoshoot of Canberra sporting teams.
How nice they’re having a lovely time even if Ms Jackson is less than thrilled.

Andrew Barr is hoping you can help him out with next year’s budget:
The Budget consultation process provides an important opportunity for the community to submit their views on what they believe the Government’s revenue and resource allocation priorities should be in 2013-14 and future years. A formal invite and Budget information paper can be found [...]

Laughing at the homophobic rants of sad nut Philip Pocock was good fun.
With Pocock’s extended views vilifying women and the sexual activities of the vast majority of the population it was easy for everyone to stand together and feel better about ourselves at his expense.
But Andrew Barr’s decided now’s the time to drive the [...]

In a speech to over 200 industry representatives at a Property Council function held on 21 June 2012, ACT Treasurer Andrew Barr said:
“Today I can announce that the Government will waive commence and complete fees for commercial, mixed use and multi-unit residential developments. Commence and complete provisions will now only apply to the construction of [...]

Democratic Christmas is in full swing today with the government going into caretaker mode tomorrow.
It’s now Andrew Barr’s turn to pull on the red suit and get some lucky Canberran’s up on his knee for a their share of the loot.
Events funded under the ACT Festival Fund for 2013 include film, music and community festivals [...]

Andrew Barr has announced our taxpayer support of blockbuster exhibitions has brought people to town:
The Renaissance and Handwritten blockbuster exhibitions have contributed to an increase of more than 10 per cent in the number of Australians visiting Canberra.
Tourism Research Australia’s latest National Visitor Survey figures for the 12 months ending June 2012 show the ACT [...]

It makes little sense in the economics of cinemas (in which your correspondent worked for some years) for there not to be one in Gungahlin.
But it seems that is going to be rectified with Andrew Barr promising he’s getting started:
I am pleased to announce today that the Government will this week be seeking expressions of [...]

Andrew Barr has been having fun with old cars this morning and has launched next year’s “National Trust (ACT) Centenary of Canberra Rally”.
This morning I launched the National Trust (ACT) Centenary of Canberra Rally, which will take place on October 19-20 next year.
The Rally celebrates a number of significant milestones in the automotive and maritime [...]

Andrew Barr is letting us know about the launch of Lake Burley Griffin Cruises electric boat:
Today I was pleased to help launch Lake Burley Griffin Cruises’ newly converted electric Gull vessel.
During winter, Lake Burley Griffin Cruises, owned by long-time locals Jim and Virginia Paterson, converted their 30 passenger vessel Gull, to electric propulsion.
The vessel is [...]

A new front opens in the electoral war with the normally Labor friendly “Canberra Loves 40%” giving Andrew Barr a serious kicking over perceived failings in his support for light rail.
Canberra Loves 40% spokesperson Phoebe Howe said, “The Minister’s response is very concerning and brings into question the capabilities of the ACT Treasurer, and [...]

Andrew Barr is trumpeting research showing the widely anticipated findings of Tourism Research Australia that blockbuster exhibitions are good for tourism.
Not hard to grasp is it? Events that lots of people turn up to are events that lots of people came for?
The report finds that exhibitions were the main reason for visiting Canberra for [...]

Andrew Barr has the surprising news that despite planning for a $125 million deficit last year the Territory booked a $50 million surplus:
The report shows that the ACT Budget position has improved by $175.9 million to a surplus of $50.4 million, compared to an estimated deficit of $125.5 million.
The improvement is largely due [...]

The Canberra Darters have launched their 2012 netball season today. At the launch Andrew Barr announced that they will be receiving a 12.5% increase in funding this year (going up to $27,000 this season) from ACT Labor.
He has stated:
“ACT Labor is a strong supporter of women’s sport and our elite female sporting teams, and today [...]

So, Andrew Barr, in his ever defferent to the Greens way, has announced a new industrial park for West Macgregor.
Great, of course all the heavy trucks will join the sand and gravel trucks from the garden centres and the B Doubles from the egg farm on Southern Cross Drive, woohoo what fun.
Oh what the hell, [...]

Andrew Barr is having a celebratory crow about the performance of the ACT’s economy as recorded by a recent Commsec report.
The report found that:
• The ACT has Australia’s third highest economic growth, at 19.7% above the decade-long average, and behind only WA and NT, which both have large mining and resources sector investment projects.
• The [...]

Andrew Barr is spruiking the Woolworths group lastest venture, Masters Home Improvement, now open out at the airport.
This morning I joined Ben Camire, National Operations Manager of Masters Home Improvement, to officially open Canberra’s first Masters Home Improvement store at Majura Park.
The new Masters store will contribute some 170 new jobs and boost employment located [...]

If the Labor Government can announce its good news items pre-budget why not let Zed have a go too?
“Tomorrow’s Budget will very much be a report card on ACT Labor’s 11 years of financial mismanagement,” Mr Seselja said today.
“This is the highest taxing government in Territory history, delivering some of the worst services [...]

Andrew Barr is letting us know he’s found an extra $250,000 per year for a “performance agreement” with the Canberra Capitals.
This of course is on top of what we pay the Capitals through Transact and ActewAGL.
The Agreement, worth $250,000 per annum for three years, will build on the existing annual support provided to the Capitals. [...]

Andrew Barr has announced he’s launching the Canberra Permanent AIDS Memorial Project.
This project will provide Canberra with a lasting commemoration to the lives of everyone affected by HIV/AIDS.
I will launch the fundraising drive at the 29th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, to be held this evening at 6.00pm at the National Gallery of Australia.
Over the [...]

Andrew Barr has let it be known the Assembly has passed his Duties (Landholders) Amendment Bill 2012.
The Bill will reduce complexity and regulation for landholders, improve the ACT’s investment competitiveness, and appropriately align ACT regulations with NSW.
The amendments will:
– Align landholder provisions in the ACT more closely with NSW;
– Significantly reduce the administrative burden on [...]