20 April 2024

PODCAST: The Hoot on lobbyists, political misjudgements and ghost buses

| Genevieve Jacobs
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two women holding a sign and the hoot logo

Will Yvette save Canberra United? Photo: Sue Read.

This week’s episode of the Hoot is all about mysterious powers and odd disappearances, starting with the ACT Liberals’ sense of political timing.

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READ ALSO Canberra United safe for another season after ACT Government injects extra $200,000

The Canberra United saga was ripe and ready for the political plucking as locals despaired over what seemed like a small sum to keep the team afloat. The issue has been floating about for almost a fortnight and solving the problem seemed like a no-brainer.

So, who made capital on a saga with a very obvious and seemingly simple solution?

READ ALSO For democracy’s sake, we need a gatekeeper on the corridors of power

And here are some words to chill Canberra to the marrow – should we ban lobbyists from Parliament House? Columnist Peter Strong thinks so, David Murtagh is not so sure. (Seriously, Murtagh, you reckon it might be a free-speech issue?)

Speaking of mysteries, we unravel the saga of the ghost buses; or, when is a bus not a bus?

Shadow Transport Minister Mark Parton accused the government of misleading the public by wrapping electric buses with the message: “One of 106 zero-emission electric buses”.

Well, there aren’t exactly 106. At this stage. How many are on the road? Well, we’re not so sure.

But the government promises they’re on the way!

READ ALSO Liberals will make sure ghost buses taunt haunts Labor come October

And is Canberra cool? Has it ever been cool? How much do we care?

The Hoot appears every week on Riotact and wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple and Spotify. Have a listen, tell us what you think and rate us.

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Shock horror, I was nodding in agreement with David Murtagh!
What a Hoot!

David Murtagh9:40 am 23 Apr 24

You’ll get used to it, Jack. 🙂

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