Brianna Heseltine and the ALP
It has been revealed that Brianna Heseltine from the Fluffy Owner’s and Residents’ Action Group has joined the ALP. In an interview with Marcus Paul, Heseltine broke down arguing that as a private citizen she has the right to privacy on the issue. Leader of the Opposition Jeremy Hanson has responded to Heseltine’s perceived conflict of interest by expressing his dismay and saying that he does feel somewhat ‘deceived’ by the development. It is obvious that Heseltine has political ambitions. Although she has garnered support from many Labor insiders, CFMEU ACT Secretary Dean Hall has not been as enthusiastic – not publically anyway. If Heseltine was preselected for the 2016 election, presumably, she would not be as eager for her privacy to be protected – an unfortunate political debut.
Vulnerable Road User Legislation
The battle between cyclists and motorists continues. After an extensive enquiry into ‘vulnerable road users’, Attorney-General Simon Corbell has introduced legislation to protect cyclists from motorists. The ACT Government has agreed to 18 recommendations including a minimum passing distance of one metre for motorists passing a cyclist in a speed zone of 60km/h and a one and a half metre passing distance in speed zones above 60km/h. Enthusiastic cyclist and Greens Minister Shane Rattenbury will give the legislation a big ring-a-ding-a-ling. The Canberra Liberals, many of whom advocate for bicycles to be registered, have surprisingly not completely condemned the proposal. The proposal may give many upper-class lycra wearing bike lovers some peace of mind, but legislation is not worth the paper it is written on if police won’t enforce it, and they won’t.
Free needle exchange program for Canberra’s Jail
Despite the Opposition having a field day attacking the ACT Government, plans to introduce a free needle exchange program in Canberra’s Jail will proceed. The Government claims that the Opposition is ignoring the facts that inmates in Australian prisons experience the highest levels of hepatitis C virus infection in the world. On the ACT Government website it states, ‘The Program also provides condoms and pamphlets on harm minimisation including safer sex practices and safer injecting. Also available are needle and syringe disposal containers which can be used to enable these items to be disposed of in the safest possible way’. The Government is not only steadfast in ignoring the Opposition’s and the Prison Staff’s position on the issue, but it seems intent on staring down the public’s clear disapproval.
Canberra’s hospitals at breaking point
Chief Minister and Minister for Health Katy Gallagher has vigorously defended claims that Canberra’s hospitals are at breaking point. In a barrage of anecdotal claims from the Opposition, and the public, Gallagher has taken to Twitter stating, ‘ACT hospitals treated more than 125,000 people in CBR emergency departments in 13-14 fin year 6% increase & improved timeliness by 10%. The truth is that hospitals are under pressure across Australia and this issue won’t go away anytime soon – if ever. Although, there are some terrible stories.
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