Page not found – Riotact https://the-riotact.com The latest news from Canberra and the ACT region. Featuring top opinion, business, property, food and wine, motoring, community and lifestyle stories. Thu, 28 Mar 2024 22:42:04 +0000 en-AU hourly 1 Adventurer’s 700 km overland journey a rare cinematic view of Australia’s alpine region https://the-riotact.com/adventurers-700-km-overland-journey-a-rare-cinematic-view-of-australias-alpine-region/756602 https://the-riotact.com/adventurers-700-km-overland-journey-a-rare-cinematic-view-of-australias-alpine-region/756602#respond Fri, 29 Mar 2024 01:00:37 +0000 https://the-riotact.com/?p=756602 snow skier

Huw Kingston travelled the length of the Australian Alps in 2022 and now a film documenting his efforts and the scenery of the vast alpine region is set for release in June. Photo: Huw Kingston.

In the winter of 2022, Southern Highlands-based adventurer Huw Kingston skied and walked the 700-kilometre length of the Australian Alps and now a film documenting that journey is set for release this winter.

Directed by Ivan Hexter, whose body of work includes prime-time ABC TV documentaries East Meets West; Hope Street; Lasetter – Legend of the Lost Reef; Final Insult and Antarctic Oasis – A Haunting Journey, the 36-minute factual film Alpine Odyssey carries the same name as Huw’s 52-day alpine trek.

The 2022 overland skiing and walking journey followed the length of the Australian alpine country from Mt Baw Baw in Victoria to Mt Franklin Chalet in the ACT, with the added twist of skiing at each of mainland Australia’s 12 snow resorts.

Huw had set off with a target of raising $50,000 for the Save the Children’s Our Yarning Indigenous literacy project, eventually raising $65,000.

The aim of Our Yarning is to produce books written by Indigenous Australian authors telling Indigenous stories for Indigenous children.

Huw is a long-time ambassador and fundraiser for Save the Children and in his lifetime has raised more than $250,000 for its initiatives.

Alpine Odyssey brings to the big screen a story that won Huw the Australian Society of Travel Writers Award for Best Australian Story in 2023, offering a rare but highly visual insight into Huw’s journey, the backcountry and the resorts/alpine communities, and also considers the threats to this unique part of Australia.


READ ALSO: Huw’s 50-day alpine odyssey a ‘journey about passion’


“Whilst I’ve skied across the world, pioneering long winter journeys in such places as the Himalayas, for me and many others, Australia’s highest land on the world’s flattest continent is incredibly special,” Huw said.

Having first skied the length of the alps 27 years ago, he says he’s witnessed some changes in that time.

“Certainly the impact of climate change deeply concerns me for future generations of snow sport enthusiasts to enjoy all I’ve enjoyed,” he said.

“The film shows off the delights of our highest lands, and celebrates skiing, an activity that has reduced me to tears of joy more than any other,” he said.

Screenings will take place from June, with venue dates to be announced soon. Every showing will raise funds for Save the Children and Protect Our Winters (POW).

POW is a global volunteer community organisation of outdoor enthusiasts working to protect Australia’s unique alpine environment and communities from climate change.

Original Article published by Edwina Mason on About Regional.

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Protect swift parrots now or we’ll lose them forever, ANU academics warn https://the-riotact.com/protect-swift-parrots-now-or-well-lose-them-forever-anu-academics-warn/756359 https://the-riotact.com/protect-swift-parrots-now-or-well-lose-them-forever-anu-academics-warn/756359#respond Fri, 29 Mar 2024 00:30:38 +0000 https://the-riotact.com/?p=756359 Fluffy baby birds

Swift parrot chicks: the species is still facing an uncertain future. Photo: Dejan Stojanovic.

The number of swift parrots in the wild could be as low as 500 and falling, according to a study by two Canberra academics from the Australian National University (ANU).

Using new methods, including updating their sample size of parrots to include a decade’s worth of data, ANU researchers Dr Dejan Stojanovic and Dr George Olah said they were able to get a more accurate picture of the crisis facing the birds. They said the 500 figure was marginally better than the previous estimate of only 300 birds.

“By searching for nesting swift parrots over 10 years, we collected one of the largest genetic data sets for any threatened bird in Australia,” Dr Stojanovic said.

“The swift parrot is critically endangered – our conservation strategies depend on knowing how many birds are still alive in the wild,” he said.

“We need this information to work out how much time we have left to save them from extinction.

“We found that despite using a different method, we got a similar result – the new method just gave us a little more precision.”


READ ALSO: ACT’s tallest tree has survived heavy logging and two bushfires – and that’s just in the past 100 years


Dr Stojanovic said we must protect what’s left of their habitat to save them. They are mostly found in Tasmania but fly to the mainland in search of food.

“In Tasmania especially, we already know the places that are important for swift parrots, but the main barrier to protecting them is a political one – we have been let down by successive governments more interested in playing politics with swift parrots than actually protecting them.”

swift parrot

New research indicates there could be 500 swift parrots in the wild. Photo: James Walsh/ANU.

He said that as nomadic birds, they moved around wherever they could find food.

“They do occasionally come to Canberra, and there’s always a lot of excitement when they do. Their nomadism makes it hard to predict where they will go, so each year it was the luck of the draw as to whether they turn up in any given area and it’s determined by tree flowering patterns.”

Man in hard hat looking upwards

Dr Dejan Stojanovic watching for swift parrots out in the field. Photo: James Walsh, ANU

Dr Stojanovic said scientists believed there were many more swift parrots in the past but that over decades of habitat loss, their numbers had dwindled “to the tiny population sizes we see today.

“Despite this collapse in population size, we continue to fail to protect the forests they depend on, and unless we change forest protection laws, the species will go extinct.”


READ ALSO: Taylor homes in on government ‘reliance’ on arrivals as debate reignites over migration and housing crisis


Co-author Dr George Olah, also from the ANU, said the latest results confirmed “we are running out of time to save the swift parrot.

“No matter which way you look at it, the number of surviving individuals is tiny,” he said.

He blamed their declining number on the logging of their Tasmanian breeding habitat.

“Our results add to a mountain of evidence that swift parrots will go extinct unless we urgently change how we manage Tasmanian forests.”

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‘Feels like an event every time you come home’ – the ultimate Florey entertainer wows https://the-riotact.com/feels-like-an-event-every-time-you-come-home-ultimate-florey-entertainer-wows/756725 https://the-riotact.com/feels-like-an-event-every-time-you-come-home-ultimate-florey-entertainer-wows/756725#respond Thu, 28 Mar 2024 23:30:09 +0000 https://the-riotact.com/?p=756725 Outdoors entertaining space at 8 Cooling Place in Florey

With multiple outdoor entertaining spaces, 8 Cooling Place, Florey, has the features you’ve dreamed of and some you never knew you needed. Photos: Luton Properties.

Tucked into a cul-de-sac backing a reserve, 8 Cooling Place in Florey has been expertly transformed into the ultimate entertainer, where every corner is a backdrop to lasting memories.

The comprehensive renovation and extension, completed over several years to evolve with the growing family within, was engineered to ensure the entire block could be enjoyed year-round.

“This home is, first and foremost, a marvel of practicality and functionality, meeting all the criteria of an ideal family home. Then, without gimmick, the owners have taken it to the next level,” selling agent Nick Paine from Luton Properties says.

“It’s now something extraordinary, and I expect the family who snaps it up will want to be there long term.”

The north-facing backyard is the pinnacle of a home rich with drawcards.

Featuring a sparkling heated mineral self-cleaning pool complemented by an outdoor shower, a pizza oven, a fire pit, an integrated kitchen/barbecue and a three-point basketball court, you’re spoiled for choice.

“It would be a tough gig going from the pool to grab a cocktail and then lounging in the sunshine,” Nick laughs.

“The best thing about it is that through clever design and the addition of heaters, the space can be enjoyed even in the height of winter.

“You’ll find yourself drawn outside and it feels like an event every time you come home.”

Elsewhere outside is a crisp green lawn with space to kick a ball, a charming cubby house and a quieter covered lounging nook that beckons you, a book, and a glass of wine.

Completing the outside are landscaped yard and irrigated gardens, 2.1-metre Colorbond fencing for ultimate privacy and a 7 m x 6 m Colorbond shed providing plenty of storage.

This feast of outdoor spaces flows seamlessly inside, where the luxury continues.

The heart of the home is the deluxe stone island kitchen. Complete with premium Australian appliances, including an integrated microwave, induction cooktop and filtered hot water system and complemented by a large butler’s pantry/laundry, it’s a joy for the home chef.

Of the four generous bedrooms, three are appointed with custom built-in wardrobes. The master suite features a deluxe ensuite with a boutique-style walk-in wardrobe and access to the backyard.

Year-round comfort is guaranteed thanks to under-tile, in-slab floor heating and ducted reverse-cycle heating and cooling.

Other valuable features include a CCTV security system, intercom system, 8.9 kW solar panel system, solar hot water system, double remote garage, an in-built and zoned surround sound system and the latest lighting innovations.

“There are little conveniences and details throughout the home that you never knew you needed, but they add richness to the lifestyle of this home,” Nick says.

“The attention to detail in this place is next level.”

Located within a seven-minute walk of the local shops and Florey Primary School and a six-minute drive of Belconnen Town Centre and the Westfield, this home offers all the conveniences this sought-after suburb provides.

“There’s a wonderful community here, including the business community,” Nick says. “The current owners have loved living here, and the new ones will, too.”

8 Cooling Place in Florey is open for inspection on Tuesday, 2 April, from 5 pm to 5:30 pm and goes to auction on Saturday, 20 April, at 9 am. For more information, contact selling agent Peter White from Luton on 0421 794 404 and make sure to check out all the latest listings on Zango.

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Rugby Australia should thank the Lord that Laurie Fisher’s still up for the challenge https://the-riotact.com/rugby-australia-should-thank-the-lord-that-laurie-fishers-still-up-for-the-challenge/756244 https://the-riotact.com/rugby-australia-should-thank-the-lord-that-laurie-fishers-still-up-for-the-challenge/756244#comments Thu, 28 Mar 2024 23:00:53 +0000 https://the-riotact.com/?p=756244 Laurie Fisher. Photo: Tim Gavel.

Laurie Fisher in the ABC broadcasting box at GIO Stadium (alongside Tim Gavel). Photo: Tim Gavel.

Watching the three-part Stan documentary on the Wallabies’ ill-fated 2023 World Cup campaign, one aspect of the calamitous preparation becomes abundantly clear – from the outset, there is close to no reasoned voice suggesting to Eddie Jones that the good ship Wallabies may be heading in the wrong direction. It was very much Eddie’s way or the highway.

In Eddie’s quest for total control, Laurie Fisher, an assistant coach, became collateral damage. He was told less than a year out from the World Cup that his services were no longer required. This is despite players collectively describing him as one of the best forwards coaches in the world.


READ ALSO: Net gains: Volleyball ACT all set to serve up fitness, fun and friendship for all


Laurie, known as ‘The Lord’, is old school. He calls a spade a spade and he gets down and dirty with the players as he puts them through drill after drill.

He speaks the language only forwards understand. It is why he has the respect of the players.

Laurie Fisher coaching

Laurie Fisher is a hands-on coach. Photo: Twitter.

I have witnessed his influence many times, particularly in the build-up to the 2004 Brumbies Super Rugby premiership.

He was in amongst it, explaining the role of the forwards in no uncertain terms.

He helped fashion the team into one of the top Super Rugby outfits of all time.

More recently, Laurie has been my co-commentator for Wallabies and Brumbies games. His insights and tactical knowledge add a new dimension to the game for myself and listeners on ABC Radio.

Laurie Fisher at Brumbies training

Laurie Fisher at Brumbies training. Photo: Twitter.

So at 65 years of age, and enjoying life as what could be called a ‘coaching gun for hire’, he receives a call from new Australian coach Joe Schmidt and suddenly he’s back in the fold as a Wallabies assistant.

It seemed as though it was only yesterday that he was told his services were not required by Eddie Jones.

Rugby Australia should thank their lucky stars that Laurie doesn’t have an ego that may, in the case of many, have prevented them from taking on a role they were sacked from less than two years earlier.


READ ALSO: Networking doesn’t have to be awkward, here’s how to connect at your next event


Rugby Australia should also be thankful that he is up for the challenge at a time in life when he could be quite justifiably spending his days fishing on the NSW south coast.

His comments on being recalled to the Wallaby coaching setup were classic Laurie: “It’s a genuine privilege to get another opportunity to work with the Wallabies.” No fanfare, let’s just get on with the job.

That’s Laurie to a tee.

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At 63 years, Perisher’s long serving double lift reaches retirement age https://the-riotact.com/at-63-years-perishers-long-serving-double-lift-reaches-retirement-age/756838 https://the-riotact.com/at-63-years-perishers-long-serving-double-lift-reaches-retirement-age/756838#comments Thu, 28 Mar 2024 22:30:41 +0000 https://the-riotact.com/?p=756838 mt perisher double chair lift

The Mt Perisher Double Chair Lift is being retired. Photo: Perisher Resort.

Up in the Snowy Mountains, the skiing community is mourning the loss of one its greats – and with it, many, many of the great stories of the slopes.

At a speed of two metres per second, and with an 11 minute transit time, it had the ability to move around 600 skiers per hour – but there was always enough time for a bit of a chat and giggle on the Mt Perisher Double Chair.

Now, at 63 years of age, it has been retired. With the linking towers removed by chopper last week, Perisher’s longest standing fixed-grip chairlift is currently being decommissioned and will not operate this winter.

Constructed in 1961, the lift dubbed ‘Mt P Double’ is now to be replaced with a brand-new high speed six-seater chairlift.

Affectionately dubbed the ‘Mt P 6’, the detachable chairlift will replace the existing Mt Perisher double and is expected to spin for the 2025 Australian snow season.

With a speed of 4.5 metres per second, ‘Mt P 6’ will reduce travel time up Mt Perisher to just 5.5 minutes and become Australia’s highest lifted point, literally taking guests further up the mountain to 2042 metres.

Faster load and unload times at each end will also facilitate greater circulation and flow of traffic around the mountain’s network of 48 lifts across four resort areas.

Reaching new heights in 2025 means a few things, but most importantly it means the choice of trails in all directions on Mt Perisher without needing to traverse.


READ ALSO: Thredbo’s new Alpine Coaster a Southern Hemisphere first


Due to the location of the top station bull wheel, the demolition of the Mt P Double has been deemed essential to the construction of the top station of the new Mt P 6.

Demolition will begin in coming weeks with the removal of the old lift’s haul line.

But while Mt P Double may have seen its last winter, a special event is in the pipeline to commemorate its years of service.

The ‘Mt P 6’ project adds to the Freedom Quad Chair, Leichhardt Quad Chair and continued investment in snowmaking that the resort has implemented in the past 10 years, according to Nathan Butterworth, Vice President and General Manager of Perisher.

“This has been a desired infrastructure upgrade by our local ski community, and I’m thrilled we will be able to make this a reality for our guests,” said Mr Butterworth.

Trail maps and on-mountain directions will be updated to help guests navigate a slightly different-looking Mt Perisher this winter.

Original Article published by Edwina Mason on About Regional.

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Entrepreneurs who changed the face of Goulburn https://the-riotact.com/entrepreneurs-who-changed-the-face-of-goulburn/755900 https://the-riotact.com/entrepreneurs-who-changed-the-face-of-goulburn/755900#respond Thu, 28 Mar 2024 22:00:14 +0000 https://the-riotact.com/?p=755900 Light-filled, vibrant and uplifting, Roses Cafe is a far cry from the crumbling school hall that it replaced.

Light-filled, vibrant and uplifting, Roses Cafe is a far cry from the crumbling school hall that it replaced. Photo: John Thistleton.

In 1997 when Woolworths wanted out of a lease of a large building in Goulburn’s main street, two businessmen new to commercial developments saw their chance. Their success in acquiring that site had profound consequences for the heritage city.

The building at 136 Auburn Street had been vacant for years, was on the market, boarded up and a prominent eyesore. Woolworths were opting out of their 20-year lease with 10 years remaining.

“We ended up in the boardroom of Woolworths negotiating this deal; we were ‘babes in the wood’ at this stage,” accountant Steve Jones said.

The building’s owner, a Sydney button manufacturer, wanted $1.6 million for his property. Of this figure, Woolworths paid $1 million to escape the remainder of their lease.

In the meantime, Steve and his partner and builder Robert Rampton had secured a prized tenant, the Australian Government’s Centrelink agency. Now they needed $600,000 to complete the deal.

Robert recalls the last-minute financing. National Australia Bank manager Alan Stephens travelled to Sydney to convince his bosses to approve their $600,000 loan.

They secured their long-term tenant and the equity to continue enhancing key Goulburn precincts with imagination and risk-taking. They teamed up with Frazer Roberts in 2007 and relocated the Big Merino. That remarkable story will follow this one.


READ ALSO: It’s been one heck of a ride: Civic’s iconic merry-go-round celebrates two anniversaries this year


Years later they didn’t have much in mind when they first bought a rear corner block on the old St Patrick’s school precinct on a corner of Verner Street and Cartwright Place.

“It was just a good site in the middle of town,” Steve said, revealing their initial plan was for several villas.

About this time in 2013 Woolworths and Big W were circling potential sites on either end of the central business district and the old St Pat’s precinct. One proponent had approval to flatten the former 1938 St Patrick’s technical school and proposed demolishing the school hall and acquiring the remaining land from the Catholic Church for a Big W development.

Abbey Motel guests regularly compliment Steve Jones and Robert Rampton on ‘restoring’ the building, so closely does the new work resemble the original hall next door, which they decided to turn into a cafe

Abbey Motel guests regularly compliment Steve Jones and Robert Rampton on ‘restoring’ the building, so closely does the new work resemble the original hall next door, which they decided to turn into a cafe. Photo: John Thistleton.

But ultimately Steve and Robert secured more of the precinct when the previous owner went into liquidation and receivers stepped in and called for tenders. While there was strong interest for the site, the Goulburn partners were the sole tenderers. They then bought the remaining portions of the old school site after more than three years of protracted negotiations with the Catholic Church.

Aware of Goulburn’s shortage of motel rooms, they were going to build a 60-room motel. But they reduced this to 40 rooms when Quest submitted plans for a new motel on the former Marian College precinct.


READ ALSO: Signwriter leaves his Marks with bands, bikes and brush


They built and sold seven villas on the back section of the old school precinct, raising enough to fund an $800,000 restoration of the 1913 hall back to its bare bones. Old toilets and awning were demolished, and Bowral Bricks was able to match the original bricks to rebuild the front section. Broken windows were replaced and new roof tiles were installed.

Working with architect Tim Lee, they matched the Abbey’s frontage to the restored St Patrick’s Hall, finessing the final structure after multiple reviews.

“We would have modified that 15 times to get the right look,” Steve said. “We would stand across the street and ask, how are we going to make that brick look, how will the petitions work? Will we do them at an angle? That blue brick in between there, how much of that are we going to do to make it fit in with [St Pat’s Hall].”

A Sydney foundry made new wrought iron balustrades for the Roses Cafe building

A Sydney foundry made new wrought iron balustrades for the Roses Cafe building and a Western Australia fabricator supplied pressed metal ceilings matching the original ceilings inside Roses and in the Abbey Motel. Photo: David Carmichael (DTC Photography).

Another crucial question was choosing an occupant for the old hall. Originally it was going to be part of the Abbey Motel.

“We wanted to get a food outlet, not only for the motel but something that was nice for the building,” Robert said. “We went and had a talk to (cafe owners) Michael and Carole Rose and they were keen.”

Nevertheless, the partners had to offer incentives to lure them from their prime position opposite Belmore Park to the present location.

The global outbreak of COVID-19 threatened the novice moteliers’ latest project.

“It was in June 2020; everything was locked down, so we had a slow progression of openings and reopenings and shutdowns,” Steve said. “We came out of it in 2022 and the momentum picked up to the point now where we are almost full every night of the week.”

Original Article published by John Thistleton on About Regional.

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City’s new five-star hotel will push the luxury limits, says operator https://the-riotact.com/citys-new-five-star-hotel-will-push-the-luxury-limits-says-operator/757062 https://the-riotact.com/citys-new-five-star-hotel-will-push-the-luxury-limits-says-operator/757062#comments Thu, 28 Mar 2024 21:00:52 +0000 https://the-riotact.com/?p=757062 hotel development render

What the hotel being built by TP Dynamics will look like. It will be operated by Crystalbrook Collection. Image: Fender Katsalidis.

The operator of the luxury Garema Place hotel, which is now under construction, plans to extend its five-star rating to make it the best offering in Canberra.

Canberra developer TP Dynamics has teamed with the relatively new and innovative Crystalbrook Collection chain founded by Ghassan Aboud of GA Group, one of the biggest family businesses in the Middle East with operations across automotive, retail, hospitality, food, logistics, catering, media and healthcare.

Speaking after a ceremony in Garema Place announcing to the partnership, Mr Aboud said it would not take much to go to six or seven stars like hotels in Dubai.

He said Crystalbook’s focus would be on its connection to the Canberra community and its immediate environment and the service it would offer in the long term.


READ ALSO: Developing licensing laws, government contracts on table for building industry roundtable


It would also strive to provide high-end international retail, Michelin-star restaurants, and the best Canberra has to offer.

“We will try to show that this is the best hotel in this city, at least for the next 25 years,” Mr Aboud said.

He said Canberra, with its sizeable diplomatic community, would be a good market.

three men, including Andrew Barr, shaking hands

Tony Pan, Chief Minister Andrew Barr and Ghassan Aboud are aiming for the best hotel in Canberra. Photo: Ian Bushnell.

Crystalbrook was founded in 2018 and now operates hotels in Cairns, Brisbane, Byron Bay, Newcastle and Sydney, and soon Adelaide.

Mr Pan said Crystalbrook, with its commitment to innovation and sustainability, was the perfect match for the new Canberra hotel.

He bought the 1500 sqm site between Garema Place and Bunda Street from Geocon last year for $30 million, along with the approved development application for the 10-storey project. He expects to complete the project in early 2027.

It will encompass the current Garema Arcade building and features 238 hotel rooms, multiple restaurants and bars (including on the rooftop), a central skylight atrium and gardens, a wellness centre with day spa, pool and gym facilities, function rooms, and a ballroom.

Mr Pan said the Crystalbrook deal would be worth $200 million when the hotel, which will cost $130m to build, is completed.

He said the Fender Katsalidis design, which originally included 202 rooms, two levels of offices, and only two basement levels, would be modified.

The offices had been converted to hotel rooms, while the basement will now have four levels to provide extra parking, the lack of which raised eyebrows in the original plans.

“We understand that in the city, parking is always an issue, so let’s do it once, let’s do it right,” he said.

Mr Pan is awaiting approval of the amended DA.

The hotel will include bars and restaurants and high-end retail. Image: Fender Katsalidis.

He said the site was well-positioned to deliver a high-profile hotel to assist in transforming the whole area.

“This world-class hotel will strengthen the vibrant hospitality industry in Canberra,” Mr Pan said.

City Renewal Authority plans to upgrade Garema Place, which will complement the hotel development. This will include increased green space, improved pedestrian flow, better accessibility, enhanced lighting, and more outdoor dining opportunities.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the announcement came as the ACT enjoyed a record tourism spend of $3.8 billion in 2023.

“We thought we would reach $4 billion in tourism expenditure in about 2030,” he said.

“So we’re going to get there, I imagine, at least five years earlier, off the back of nearly 6 million tourists.”


READ ALSO: Canberra’s favourite hot cross buns contain a ‘secret ingredient’


Mr Barr said the five-star Crystalbrook hotel would help diversify the hospitality offering in Canberra.

“It’s been one of the areas that has held back part of our tourism sector,” he said.

“We have a significant supply of three and four-star hotels, but we don’t have many at the upper end of the spectrum.”

Mr Barr said it was essential to find the right hotel partners, and Crystalbrook was a national network that offered high-end sustainable hotel experiences.

He said the hotel would be good for Garema Place.

“There will be private sector owners who will look at this as a catalyst investment, and I’m sure we will see some further renewal in the CBD,” Mr Barr said

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How to stop worrying and learn to love the housing crisis https://the-riotact.com/how-to-stop-worrying-and-learn-to-love-the-housing-crisis/756936 https://the-riotact.com/how-to-stop-worrying-and-learn-to-love-the-housing-crisis/756936#comments Thu, 28 Mar 2024 20:00:36 +0000 https://the-riotact.com/?p=756936 apartment under construction

Build, baby, build. Supply is the only game in town. Photo: Region.

Apparently, Australia, including the ACT, is experiencing a housing crisis.

You know, with exploding rents and house prices so out of reach that many young and not-so-young people are just giving up thinking about ever buying their own home.

It’s turning families out on the street and lengthening waiting lists for already stretched public housing.

There are warnings of the economic, social and health impacts of an embittered generation disengaged from the rest of society. Of a return to Dickensian times of landlords and tenants. The best of times and the worst of times.


READ ALSO: Developing licensing laws, government contracts on table for building industry roundtable


How did we get here, many are asking. It’s complicated.

But how do we fix it? That’s easy. Just build more houses.

Don’t overthink it. It’s just a matter of supply and demand.

Don’t be distracted by lefty economists’ talk about capital gains and negative gearing being a tax scam that distorts the market and keeps prices on the up and up.

Where will we get all those rental properties if we stop supporting our mum and dad investors? You know, the ones who can borrow to the hilt and outbid anyone at auction to accumulate portfolios with dozens of properties?

If anything, we need to provide more support to the property industry, not less.

And the last thing we want is for government to get back into the housing game, building their affordable homes with cheap rents (read ghettos), lowering property values and allowing anyone to move into the neighbourhood.

It’s their fault anyway for holding up land release to inflate prices, strangling enterprise with red tape, and imposing their wretched energy efficiency requirements on perfectly reasonable homes. If you can’t afford the bill, just put on a jumper or lie on the bathroom tiles.

Government can’t be the solution. Leave it to the private sector. Build 1.2 million homes? Easy, just get out of the way.

But who’s going to build them? What about the skills shortage?

That’s what immigration’s for.

Yeah, but where are they going to live?

They’ll find a way. They always do.

So, when we have all these houses, townhouses, apartments, studios, tiny houses, and dog boxes, that’ll bring prices down, right? Supply and demand?

Hang on there! It’s not a charity, and you don’t expect the great Australian homeowner to take a bath, do you?

Anyway, I think you’ll find enough cash and bonafide buyers in the system to keep prices tickety-boo. It may be a Ponzi scheme, but there are enough in it to keep it going for a while yet.

And there is always the bank of mum and dad.

Remember, in every crisis, there are opportunities.


READ ALSO: Who’s going to build the 1.2 million homes? Pocock calls on government to protect subcontractors


There’ll be plenty of places to rent. Just get another job or two.

Fortunately, ever since honest Bill tried it on in 2019 and came up short, everybody is now on the same page.

Yes, it’s absolutely a crisis and aren’t the statistics alarming but you have to look at the big picture.

You can’t solve anything from opposition and you fiddle with the tax system at your peril.

No, supply is the only game in town. Aspirational, of course.

What a great word that is. Thanks, John. Thanks, Peter.

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Gastro outbreak an early warning to be ready for increase in viruses during the colder months https://the-riotact.com/gastro-outbreak-an-early-warning-to-be-ready-for-increase-in-viruses-during-the-colder-months/757049 https://the-riotact.com/gastro-outbreak-an-early-warning-to-be-ready-for-increase-in-viruses-during-the-colder-months/757049#respond Thu, 28 Mar 2024 19:30:17 +0000 https://the-riotact.com/?p=757049 sick person lying in bed with medicines

The winter months are usually when we see an increase in virus cases across Canberra. Photo: File.

As Canberra’s weather begins to get colder we’re being reminded to ensure we’re keeping up with vaccinations and good hygiene practices to keep winter bugs at bay.

Several viruses are already circulating in the Territory and Capital region, including the flu, RSV, COVID-19, gastroenteritis, giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis.

ACT Health is also investigating a gastro outbreak following a 17 March private function at Eastlake Gungahlin.

A spokesperson said a total of 77 people reporting becoming unwell after attending the event. Their ages range from nine to 53.

Four people ended up going to hospital for treatment but none were admitted.

“The incubation period and symptoms were consistent with infection with norovirus, which was confirmed by specimens collected from some of the affected individuals,” the spokesperson said.

“Given the number of affected people at the function and based on epidemiological analysis, it is likely that the virus was spread through the consumption of contaminated food at the function.

“However, it is not possible to confirm this assessment definitively or how the contamination occurred.”

ACT Health surveyed 233 individuals as part of its investigation and inspected the venue’s food preparation, storage and hygiene practices, and did not identify an ongoing risk to the public.

“Bacterial analysis of food samples available and collected during the inspection did not reveal any areas of concern,” a spokesperson said.

“No further action is proposed in relation to the business.”

Gastro is common at all times of the year and while there hasn’t been a “significant” increase in the ACT community at this time, numbers could increase during winter.


READ ALSO: Canberra Health Services reveals new look to ‘snowball’ recent recruitment success


Seasonal viruses such as RSV and influenza also generally increase during the colder months.

According to the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, there were more than 16,000 laboratory confirmed cases of the flu across the country in January and February.

“That’s nearly double what was recorded (8592) for the same period in 2023, and for the five years prior,” a statement noted.

“The flu strains circulating in the community this year are different from last year.”

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has recommended that annual vaccination should ideally occur before the onset of each influenza season.

“The onset of the influenza season in temperate Australia has been earlier than usual since 2022,” a statement advised.

“While protection is generally expected to last throughout the year, the highest level of protection occurs in the first three to four months after vaccination.”

If a person has already had the flu in late 2023 or earlier this year, it’s still recommended they receive a 2024 formulation of an influenza vaccine.

Once you’ve been vaccinated, it generally takes about two weeks to build immunity.


READ ALSO: PM greets lawnmower trek but no change in Motor Neurone Disease monitoring planned


ACT Health has this advice to help protect yourself and others from illness in the colder months:

  • stay up to date with vaccinations and speak with a healthcare professional about which ones are recommended for you
  • practise good hand and respiratory hygiene, such as washing or sanitising your hands frequently and coughing and sneezing into your elbow or sleeve
  • stay home if you’re unwell
  • maintain your physical and mental health over the winter months by keeping active, eating well, spending time outdoors if you can and getting enough sleep.

“If you are at higher risk of severe illness, ask your primary care provider about what to do if you become unwell, including having a plan. This should cover testing, treatment, and health care options,” a spokesperson advised.

“Other people, such as older neighbours, friends and family members, may need some extra help over the winter too. Check in on them if you can.”

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Night of glamour as Canberra comes through in a big way for Ronald McDonald House https://the-riotact.com/night-of-glamour-as-canberra-comes-through-in-a-big-way-for-ronald-mcdonald-house/751112 https://the-riotact.com/night-of-glamour-as-canberra-comes-through-in-a-big-way-for-ronald-mcdonald-house/751112#respond Thu, 28 Mar 2024 19:00:25 +0000 https://the-riotact.com/?p=751112 Two people on stage at at Ronald McDonald House Gala Ball 2024

MC Sandra Sully AM with RMHC supporter Mirko Milic of Canberra Toyota and Lexus on stage at the wildly successful Ronald McDonald House Gala Ball 2024. Photo: Hot Shots Photography & Media Services.

Given the times, staff at Ronald McDonald House Canberra (RMHC) could only clap hands together and pray that their flagship annual event would bring in the funding they were counting on – and Canberra delivered in a big way.

The charity’s annual gala night raised $796,000 to help keep Canberra’s “big red doors” open. Up from last year’s $725,000, this result, RMHC’s Lee Maiden says, is nothing short of inspiring in the current economic climate.

“Considering everyone is doing it tough right now, we had our fingers crossed that we would top last year’s outcome, and we certainly did,” she says.

“We’re overwhelmed by the generosity of those who donated funds but also those who donated their time throughout the year and on the night to pull this incredible event off.”


READ ALSO: Young leukaemia sufferer issues call for help … and Canberra delivers


As guests dined on three delicious courses, danced to Sneaky Sound System and celebrated the people holding up the four walls of the House, 80 volunteers scurried about behind the scenes to ensure the night went off without a hitch.

These legends were celebrated in the event’s theme – ‘A night amongst the stars’. The stars being RMCH’s many sponsors, donors, staff members, families and, of course, volunteers.

“Imagine if we had to pay 80 people to support us on the night,” Lee says.

“These incredible people made the gala the success it was. On this night, and all throughout the year, we thank them from the bottom of our hearts.”

The evening was MC’d by the indelible Sandra Sully and punctuated by live performances from Kulture Break, Baker Boys Band and headliners Sneaky Sound System.

Lee says while she’s never seen so many people rocking out on a dance floor before, guests could have heard a pin drop when RMHC turned the spotlight on one of their families – Brook and her mum, Debbie.

“As they told the story about how Ronald McDonald House had impacted them, this room of a thousand people became silent. It was such a beautiful, moving story that really highlighted why we were all there and why we do what we do,” she says.

“They’re not used to public speaking, so I think it’s so brave of them to get up in front of such a sizeable crowd and tell such a heartfelt and personal story. The guests were so respectful, they listened, they shed a few tears … We were so proud.”


READ ALSO: Inspired by son’s cancer ordeal, Canberra mum invents her own toy company


RMHC is a home away from home for hundreds of families each year whose children are in the Canberra Hospital Intensive Care Unit. During their stay, which can last many months, families receive free accommodation and meals.

RMHC does not receive government funding, and the annual gala event is a major source of funds to cover its operational costs.

It costs the organisation $150 a night in accommodation alone to host a family. With 10 rooms in the House, that’s close to $550,000 per year, and it doesn’t include other expenses such as food, or the satellite retreat in Batemans Bay where families going through some of their darkest days can spend a week of quality time together.

“We must raise as much as possible to continue to offer this service to families in need with seriously ill children,” Lee says. “That’s why the gala is so important to us and why we work so hard year-long to create such a memorable night for all.”

The date for next year is already locked in, and planning commences shortly for the gala on 29 March 2025.

To find out more, visit Ronald McDonald House Canberra.

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Just ‘folking’ around: Behind the scenes as The Nash hits town https://the-riotact.com/just-folking-around-behind-the-scenes-as-the-nash-hits-town/757072 https://the-riotact.com/just-folking-around-behind-the-scenes-as-the-nash-hits-town/757072#respond Thu, 28 Mar 2024 18:30:10 +0000 https://the-riotact.com/?p=757072 The Construction Team

The Construction Team builds friendships old and new. Left to right are Charmian Eckersley, John Sutton, and Daphne and Peter. Photos: Eileen Mulligan.

A cushy job in Lost Property. That was the job I wanted when I applied to be a volunteer at the National Folk Festival over Easter. I’d be tucked inside an office at Exhibition Park in Canberra, out of the weather, nothing too arduous. Sweeeet.

Instead, I found myself toiling in the sun with the Construction Team, worrying about my peaches and sunspot complexion as we loaded and unloaded a heap of building materials onto a ute – including a kitchen sink.

We sanded the edges of timber boards for a dance floor. We sorted murals that were to be hung along the fences to add colour and atmosphere to the festival site. My colleagues drove in star pickets and hung mesh signs welcoming people to the annual festival.

Thankfully I was issued gloves to protect my soft, little, white hands. Those of us with fewer capabilities were never expected to let our ambitions get in the way of our capabilities.

I loved it and my ancestors of labourers, tradies and real workers would have been proud.

The Construction Team was a cheerful bunch of women and men of all shapes and ages, part of the pre-festival workforce preparing the site for “five days in a perfect world” from 28 March to 1 April.

People with real skills – and licences – got to drive forklifts.

In return, we were given season tickets and a campsite. Seems like a fair deal to me. The beauty of pre-festival or post-festival work is you can work your requisite hours before or after the festival so you can enjoy the whole show uninterrupted.

My next shifts were as part of the Gates Team, making sure everyone who entered the site had accreditation and knew where they were going.


READ ALSO: Babies and cooler weather: why Easter is a good time to visit a zoo


During quiet spells, musicians practised and knitters gave the needles a good workout. The rest of us exchanged stories and information about the best free-camping sites or pun-nished each other with groan-worthy dad jokes.

Some volunteers had worked there for decades; some younger folk were following in the footsteps of a parent or grandparent. Some were musicians while the rest of us had only played on the linoleum as children.

For some grey nomads, working at festivals around the country was one way to stretch the travel budget, while others were driven by the need to help the festival succeed.

The Nash relies on 800 volunteers to keep it rolling year after year and managing director Heidi Pritchard said volunteers were the heartbeat of the festival.

It’s not all perfect harmony, of course. The volunteer team is composed of enthusiastic amateurs, old hands and newbies, many pleasant and willing people and the occasional challenging personality.

The way of doing things over the years changes and there are the inevitable teething problems and communication breakdowns.

So, as a gatekeeper, I apologise to any stallholder or camper I may have held up unnecessarily as they tried to enter the site, or for waving through people I should have quizzed further. There’s a fine line between being too casual and being too officious.

If you were misled, I empathise with your frustration. I had been told to “camp anywhere” when I arrived but a few days later was told to relocate because I was taking up real estate set aside for paying customers.

It was hot, I was tired and a bit peeved. “Folkitie, folkitie, folk,” I swore in my head as I relocated my gear on a hot afternoon.

Happily the new campsite was better and my new neighbour jollied me along with welcoming chat and a litany of corny jokes.


READ ALSO: Understand our past to embrace the future, 2024 Heritage Festival launch told


My co-ordinator, the wonderful Judy Bamberger, was full of apology for the communication breakdown and her good humour was so infectious it seemed rather boring of me to harp on it any longer.

Anyway, on another positive note, one of my Gates mates, Ian McKenzie, invited me to join his team of musicians and dancers who will compete in the Infinite Tina Turner Song Contest. We will be performing The Nutbush.

Ian is part of a group of 25 friends from the Hunter region who meet annually and gather under a structure they call the Tarp Mahal.

So it’s time to dust off my dancing boots – by rubbing them on the back of my work trousers – put on a big smile and head off to rehearsals with the other “nut jobs”.

For more information on festival tickets or volunteering click here.

REGION MEDIA PARTNER SUPPLIED CONTENT

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Legislation introduced to establish Net Zero Economy Authority https://the-riotact.com/legislation-introduced-to-establish-net-zero-economy-authority/756930 https://the-riotact.com/legislation-introduced-to-establish-net-zero-economy-authority/756930#respond Thu, 28 Mar 2024 18:00:39 +0000 https://the-riotact.com/?p=756930

Legislation has been introduced to Federal Parliament to establish the Net Zero Economy Authority. Image: frentusha.

Australia’s net zero economy is one step closer, with the Federal Government using the last parliamentary sitting day before Easter to introduce legislation to place the nation on the path to becoming what it hopes will be a renewable energy superpower.

Labor says Australia must embrace the global shift to net zero emissions and become a leader in the field.

That’s easier said than done, but the government has delivered a bill to establish the Net Zero Economy Authority.

It says this will ensure Australian workers and regions realise and share in the benefits of the net zero economy.

It also announced a $189.3 million over four years commitment from 2023-24 to resource the new authority.

Ongoing yearly funding for the authority after those four years stands at $53.3 million.

In making the announcement, Anthony Albanese said once established, the authority will support an economy-wide net zero transformation that is already underway.


READ ALSO: Senate delivers Labor an ‘almighty backfire’ over its deportation bill


It will act as a catalyst for private and public investment, major project development, job creation and transition, and skills and community development.

“There is no nation on earth better placed than Australia to achieve the energy transition here at home and power it in the world,” the Prime Minister said.

“We are home to every metal and critical mineral essential to net zero. Our workforce is skilled and valued, our safety standards are the highest in the world and we have a proven track record as a reliable producer and exporter of energy and resources.

“The Net Zero Economy Authority will play an important role in one of the most significant economic events in Australian history and position us as a renewable energy superpower.

“We are committed to working across governments, with regional communities and industries, and our international partners, to secure the opportunities of Australia’s net zero future.”

Global efforts to reduce emissions have already started transforming traditional industries, creating new opportunities to broaden Australia’s industrial base and strengthen our sovereign capability.

The government’s policy agenda is on track to reduce emissions by 43 per cent on 2005 levels by 2030 and net zero by 2050.

Mr Albanese said the new authority would be pivotal to delivering on this goal.


READ ALSO: New taskforce to investigate and penalise dodgy NDIS providers


The Net Zero Economy Authority will be an independent statutory body housed in the Prime Minister’s portfolio.

It will:

  • Facilitate public and private sector participation and investment in emissions reduction and net zero transformation projects across Australia, including working with established investment funds
  • Support workers in emissions-intensive industries to access new employment, or acquire skills to improve their employment prospects, including an Energy Industry Jobs Plan to help workers in closing coal-fired power stations transition to new jobs
  • Support communities – including First Nations communities – to participate in, and benefit from, the economic shift to net zero emissions
  • Share information about Australia’s transformation to net zero economy, educating communities and supporting social licence for the transition
  • Promote coordination and consistency across government policies and programs.

Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen said the authority would help build on more than $40 billion in job-generating investments.

But the net zero target would take a huge effort across sectors to reach.

“Neither government funding nor private capital alone can meet this challenge,” Mr Bowen said.

“It will take both, working together, to secure the opportunities of Australia’s net zero future.

“Our local and regional communities are at the forefront of the economic shift. Through this new body, we can better support them to seize the opportunities of a net zero economy.

“We will work in genuine partnership with business, unions and communities to help make sure no-one is left behind as we seize on this once in a generation opportunity.”

The Federal Opposition, however, has already decided to oppose much of the government’s key policies aimed at achieving net zero by 2050.

The Coalition is against safeguard mechanisms Labor wants in place to more quickly force industrial emissions down.

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‘Gross, creepy’: alleged Tinder ‘catfish’ accused of indecently assaulting second woman https://the-riotact.com/gross-creepy-alleged-tinder-catfish-accused-of-indecently-assaulting-second-woman/757259 Thu, 28 Mar 2024 05:03:04 +0000 https://the-riotact.com/?p=757259 Coat of Arms on court building

Robelt Harthur Hilarion Urdanivia, 28, has been refused bail for the second time by the ACT Magistrates Court. Photo: Michelle Kroll.

CONTENT WARNING: This article refers to alleged indecent assaults.

A second woman has come forward to claim an alleged Tinder ‘catfish’ deceived then indecently assaulted her after learning from media reports that he had been arrested for similar allegations against a different person.

Robelt Harthur Hilarion Urdanivia, a 28-year-old Peruvian man working in construction while in Australia, was refused bail last month over the initial allegations.

‘Catfishing’ refers to using a fake online profile to mislead someone.

Mr Hilarion Urdanivia allegedly used a fake profile on the dating app Tinder to meet up with the first woman for sex at a home in Pearce on 10 February 2024, but when she arrived, she saw he did not look like the person in the account’s photos and tried to leave.

He allegedly repeatedly indecently assaulted her before she was able to push him away and fled.

On Thursday (28 March), the ACT Magistrates Court heard he would indicate a guilty plea to a charge of committing an act of indecency without consent over this incident.

But Mr Hilarion Urdanivia was also handed a new charge over an alleged incident from eight days earlier.

Court documents claim he had begun talking to a different woman on Tinder after allegedly using a fake name and photos of “an unknown male obtained from the internet” that were not consistent with his physical appearance.

The photos were of a Caucasian male with tanned skin and an athletic build.


READ ALSO: Law reform council wants to hear from public about sentencing for dangerous drivers


The woman eventually agreed to meet up for sex at an address he allegedly proposed in Mawson on 1 February 2024. She reportedly arrived to find all the lights off, and he met her while partially obscured by the front door.

While the woman found it hard to see inside as it was dark, she allegedly saw he had a different outline to the man in the photos. The documents say Mr Hilarion Urdanivia is “of a round figure and had a chubby face”.

It is alleged she repeatedly told him, “I don’t want this”, and pushed him away, but he ignored her and repeatedly indecently assaulted her before she was able to flee the house.

He allegedly called her shortly afterwards and tried to get her to return, but she told him: “You lied, you are fat and look like you are a 40-year-old man”.

“You lied and it made me feel scared,” she also texted him in a response to his messages.

A few weeks later, she learned about the first woman’s allegations against Mr Hilarion Urdanivia due to the initial reporting by Region and thought it sounded very similar to her alleged experience. She then went to police.

Mr Hilarion Urdanivia was handed a second charge of committing an act of indecency without consent over this alleged incident before he applied for bail again on Thursday.

His lawyer, Giordano Borzuola of Legal Aid, said his client would indicate a guilty plea to the 10 February 2024 incident. However, he disagreed with some of the allegations and said the matter may need to go to a disputed facts hearing.

He also said the allegations were “creepy, they’re gross, are frankly an example of why many women in this community don’t feel safe”.


READ ALSO: Ex-Youth Olympic skier Ben Wynn handed two years’ jail for repeated abuse of underage girls


But he proposed that bail be granted on strict conditions, including that his client surrender his passport, not use dating apps, and live with his sister in Sydney.

The prosecutor, who opposed bail, said Mr Hilarion Urdanivia had admitted dishonesty, being that he regularly used fake dating app profiles in an attempt to have sex with women.

Magistrate Jane Campbell said the allegations concerned her due to the “premeditated, calculating way in which Mr Urdanivia has engaged in this behaviour” and described it as “very clandestine” on two occasions.

She said he had also told police he’d been banned from using Tinder in Peru, which suggested he may have been committing similar alleged conduct in his home country.

Bail was refused for the second time and the matter was adjourned to 18 April. No plea was entered to the fresh charge.

If this story has raised any concerns for you, 1800RESPECT, the national 24-hour sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line, can be contacted on 1800 737 732. Help and support are also available through the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre on 02 6247 2525, the Domestic Violence Crisis Service ACT 02 6280 0900, and Lifeline on 13 11 14. In an emergency, call Triple Zero.

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Grandmother ‘haunted’ by fatal crash with three motorcyclists on Alpine Way https://the-riotact.com/grandmother-haunted-by-fatal-crash-with-three-motorcyclists-on-alpine-way/757078 Thu, 28 Mar 2024 04:12:01 +0000 https://the-riotact.com/?p=757078 Alpine Way

The Alpine Way at Geehi is a winding road through the Snowy Mountains that was, tragically, the site of a fatal crash in 2021. Photo: Google Maps.

A grandmother who was driving on the wrong side of the road in the Snowy Mountains when she crashed into three motorbike riders has been spared a jail sentence despite killing one rider. A second rider later died from unrelated causes.

Louise M Thornton, a 65-year-old from the Wodonga region in Victoria, was convicted and handed a one-year and nine-month community corrections order when the Albury District Court sentenced her on Thursday (28 March).

The court heard the rider she killed in the tragic crash on the Alpine Way on 18 December 2021, Roy Wilson, was a loving man who played a central role in his close family.

His family was still struggling to deal with his sad loss, Judge Justin Smith SC said.

He said another rider she hit and caused serious injuries to, Richard Jones, had sadly died since the crash as well.

“This, like many matters arising from motor accidents, is a very tragic case,” he said.

Thornton left her father’s property in Bega that morning to drive to Corryong in Victoria and took the Alpine Way.

Meanwhile, six members of a social motorcycle group were riding a long loop through the Kosciuszko Mountain region. They were travelling in the opposite direction along the same road, between Khancoban and Geehi, at around 10:20 am.


READ ALSO: Ex-Youth Olympic skier Ben Wynn handed two years’ jail for repeated abuse of underage girls


As Thornton drove her Ford Escape on the wrong side of the road around a corner at approximately 62.3 km/h, Mr Jones had no time to react and crashed into the side of her car, rolled over the top, then landed on the road.

Another rider, Terry Robinson, hit the car and hurt his foot. Tragically, Mr Wilson then also hit the side of her vehicle and suffered fatal injuries. Judge Smith said it was likely his death was “mercifully quick”.

Thornton was on the wrong side of the road for 3.5 to 4 seconds before the crash but had taken evasive action just before impact.

Judge Smith said that before the accident, she had an unblemished driving record and that her offending had significantly affected her life.

“She must live with the guilt of having taken another person’s life,” he said.

alpine way

The Alpine Way is a steep, narrow, winding road between Khancoban and Thredbo, touted as a scenic drive. Photo: Google Maps.

The judge said she was born outside of Bega to dairy farmer parents, worked as an aged care nurse for 25 years, and had lived a healthy and law-abiding life with the exception of these offences.

Thornton had written a letter to the court in which she said she was “haunted” by the fact she has hurt people and only wants to be able to help the families of her victims but knows she cannot.

Judge Smith found she was remorseful, had shown significant insight and had excellent prospects of rehabilitation.

Her mother and father had been in a head-on crash after going Christmas shopping and the female passenger in the other car died. Judge Smith said her mother was never the same after the accident.


READ ALSO: carjacker robs woman at knifepoint in Canberra Centre’s rooftop car park


Judge Smith said that while four riders were put at risk, Thornton’s offending conduct lasted no longer than one second and the tragic consequences of that small amount of time followed her attempt to rectify her error.

“There is no suggestion in the evidence of speed, alcohol, drugs, fatigue or the use of a mobile phone or anything else that may have affected the accused’s ability to properly drive her car,” he said.

He described her offending as “momentary inattention”.

Thornton pleaded guilty to charges of dangerous driving occasioning death and dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, while she was also found guilty of furious or other driving causing bodily harm in a judge-alone trial earlier this month.

Judge Smith said it was “no small thing” to have convictions recorded against your name.

“Members of the public should be aware this does constitute significant punishment,” he said.

Her driver’s licence has been suspended since April 2022. Judge Smith disqualified her from driving for 12 months, but this was backdated, which means she is now able to obtain her licence again.

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Gibraltar Falls to be fenced off after fatal falls last year https://the-riotact.com/gibraltar-falls-to-be-fenced-off-after-fatal-falls-last-year/756287 https://the-riotact.com/gibraltar-falls-to-be-fenced-off-after-fatal-falls-last-year/756287#comments Thu, 28 Mar 2024 01:45:32 +0000 https://the-riotact.com/?p=756287

Warning signs are not enough to prevent visitors from venturing into risky areas. Photos: ACT Government.

A new 210-metre-long fence is to be built along the walking track at Gibraltar Falls in the south of the ACT to make the once-popular destination safe after two people fell to their deaths in one week last year.

The site has since been closed to the public and extra fencing installed, but now the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate has issued a tender for the project, seeking a contractor to design and build a permanent safety fence.

According to the tender document, the goal is to further deter the public from accessing the falls or surrounding areas and make the walking track safe by installing a fence.

Fencing is to be extended from the lookout platform to the end of the current railing along the length of the top of the falls.


READ ALSO: ACT’s tallest tree has survived heavy logging and two bushfires – and that’s just in the past 100 years


The fence must be at least 1.5 metres high, and there must be no openings anywhere below the top rail that could allow the passage of a sphere 125 mm in diameter.

The fence must also not allow a toehold between 150 mm and 760 mm above deck or stair nosing level. Horizontal rails are acceptable if the design will prevent children under six from climbing over the fence.

It must also close off the existing lookout.

The proposed fenceline at Gibraltar Falls.

An EPSDD spokesperson said the works would allow the existing picnic area and the viewing platform to be reopened, but that decision is up to the Conservator of Flora and Fauna under the Nature Conservation Act 2014.

“Current plans are that the public will access Gibraltar Falls via the walking trail from Woods Reserve,” the spokesperson said.

The tender closed at the end of April, but the timing of the works and expected completion date have yet to be determined.

The spokesperson said that when the site reopened, visitors would be required to remain on clearly marked trails and viewing areas.

“The fencing and signage to be installed is designed to ensure visitors are clearly aware of where they are permitted to go and ensure they can make responsible decisions about their own safety,” the spokesperson said.

The improved signage would make visitors aware of the risks of entering the high-risk areas at the top of the falls and advise them to remain on marked trails and viewing areas.

While the Gibraltar Falls are beautiful, it’s not recommended people swim there.

In February 2023, two young men fell to their deaths.

On 12 February, 19-year-old Thomas Livingstone is believed to have slipped while scrambling across rocks in front of the waterfall.

ACT Parks and Conservation rangers and passersby were able to provide assistance and first aid until emergency services arrived, but he died at the scene.

That death prompted the ACT Conservator of Flora and Fauna, Bren Burkevics, to warn all cards were “on the table” as the Territory considered how to make Gibraltar Falls safer.

But on 18 February, Patrick Prevett, a 22-year-old Queanbeyan man, was visiting the waterfall with his sister and friends when he slipped from the rocky outcrop near the top.

He was pronounced dead at the scene after emergency services, who found him unconscious in the water, were unable to revive him.

While Gibraltar Falls has a viewing platform, the water hole became popular with locals and tourists who frequently entered areas they shouldn’t have.


READ ALSO: After $9 million upgrade, two years of work, the wonder that is Wombeyan Caves resurfaces


Parks and Conservation rangers carried out a safety review of the site, including examining signage, fencing, handrails and areas that have been trampled by people who ignore warnings and head off the marked trails.

Mr Burkevics warned that if signage and fences weren’t enough to stop people from walking where they shouldn’t, other options were available, including permanently closing the area to the public.

The deaths also prompted Canberra’s tourism agency, Visit Canberra, to pull all marketing material that included the site and its picturesque rockpool.

ACT Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development deputy director-general Geoffrey Rutledge said at the time that Gibraltar Falls was not considered a swimming hole.

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QUIZ: Why did King O’Malley want the nation’s capital to be cold? Plus 9 other questions this week https://the-riotact.com/quiz-why-did-king-omalley-want-the-nations-capital-to-be-cold-plus-9-other-questions-this-week/756815 https://the-riotact.com/quiz-why-did-king-omalley-want-the-nations-capital-to-be-cold-plus-9-other-questions-this-week/756815#respond Thu, 28 Mar 2024 01:00:05 +0000 https://the-riotact.com/?p=756815 Old Parliament House Gardens, King O'Malley, Walkman

How many of these 10 facts do you know? Photo: File.

How good are you with ’90s songs? What did King O’Malley say in argument for a cold capital? How well do you know government logos?

See how knowledgeable you are in this week’s quiz. Hit the Take the Quiz button below to start (and remember to share your score in the comments).

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RSPCA ACT’s Pets of the week – Ernie and Roley https://the-riotact.com/rspca-acts-pets-of-the-week-ernie-and-roley/756888 https://the-riotact.com/rspca-acts-pets-of-the-week-ernie-and-roley/756888#respond Thu, 28 Mar 2024 00:00:08 +0000 https://the-riotact.com/?p=756888 Ernie

Ernie is a born entertainer. Photo: RSPCA ACT.

Meet our lovable pets of the week looking for forever homes at the RSPCA ACT Shelter!

Ernie the Corella and Roley the cattle dog cross are this week’s friendly Pets of the Week! These lovely animals are waiting to find their perfect match. Do you think that could be you? Read more about them below!

Bird of the Week: Ernie the corella

This guy is pure entertainment. He’s a prankster, a funster. To use the words of our Exotic Animal Carer, “He’s a toddler with wings.”

Ernie is a playful, very clever corella who we’d love to see trained. He has unlimited potential, is still quite young at just over one year old, and is destined to be your pet and best friend for life.

He likes stretching out his wings for you, which in some birds can be threatening, but that’s not Ernie’s style. He’s always playing. Give him a new toy or object and he’ll try to put it on his head. If you wear glasses, he will take them off your face!

To get the most out of Ernie, he needs a large indoor or outdoor aviary and an owner with experience with large birds.

Come and visit Ernie. We guarantee you’ll spend at least 10 minutes with him in his aviary soaking up his charm!

Roley

Roley gets walks and cuddles every day at the RSPCA but would prefer them in his forever home. Photo: RSPCA ACT.

Dog of the Week: Roley the cattle dog cross

Little Roley, the cattle dog/Rhodesian ridgeback, has been here too long, which isn’t long at all. He was part of a large litter, and all his brothers and sisters were adopted, leaving little Roley wondering what he did wrong.

He’s four months old and it’s now time to learn, love and grow in a fun family household. As you can see, he’s as cute as they come and will be a fun boy to play with but he’s still raw as far as puppies go. He needs housetraining and socialising, even though he gets hugs, cuddles and walks every day from our staff.

Roley is a small part of a large number of puppies we’ve received this summer and there’s still more to come. He’s shown us he’s smart enough to learn any obedience training and our staff will certainly advise you where needed, as with all our adoptable animals.

Come and visit little Roley at our animal shelter in Weston and let him melt your heart.

Pawnote: Thank you, Canberra pet lovers, for your ongoing support. Please note that we’re closed from Friday, 29 March, to Monday, 1 April. We reopen on Tuesday, 2 April.

Visit RSPCA ACT today at 12 Kirkpatrick St, Weston, and add a new companion to your life. You won’t regret it!

Animal viewing hours

Monday to Friday: 10 am – 3 pm

Saturday: 9 am – 4 pm

Sunday and public holidays: Closed.

If you want to meet these animals with a view to adoption, drop by our shelter.

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Things to do in Canberra this week (29 March – 4 April) https://the-riotact.com/things-to-do-in-canberra-this-week-29-march-4-april/755299 https://the-riotact.com/things-to-do-in-canberra-this-week-29-march-4-april/755299#respond Thu, 28 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://the-riotact.com/?p=755299 greek band on stage

The 2024 National Folk Festival is back – and you’re invited. Photo: Michelle Kroll.

Easter means a long weekend and the Folkie! From the return of the Folkie to Harry Potter-themed trivia, and a discussion of contemporary Egyptian culture and much more, there is plenty to enjoy and also expand your mind!

Multiple days

Black Cypress band

The National Folk Festival is set to bring folk music back to the heart of Canberra once again. Photo: Michelle Kroll.

National Folk Festival

When: 28 March to 1 April
Where: Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC), corner of Flemington Road and Northbourne Avenue, Mitchell
Cost: Tickets start at $14.50 (children under five have free entry) and are available via the Festival’s website.

The Folkie’s been around forever, so you know the deal! In 2024, the Folkie is set to bring Australian and international artists behind a range of installations, activities, activations and performances to a crowd expected to hit 40,000 people. Activities have also been organised for young kids, meaning attendees of all ages can get in on the folk fun!

DARKFIELD: FLIGHT

SÉANCE and FLIGHT will be hosted at the Canberra Theatre Centre from 28 March to 14 April. Image: DARKFIELD.

DARKFIELD: SÉANCE and FLIGHT

When: 28 March to 14 April
Where: Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Circuit, Canberra
Cost: Tickets cost $27 (plus transaction fee) and are available via the Theatre Centre’s website.

The creative team behind DARKFIELD are premiering two shows in Canberra – SÉANCE and FLIGHT. Each show explores how humans can be influenced by suggestible material – grab a ticket but keep an open mind. SÉANCE and FLIGHT are suitable for those aged 15 and older but not for those who are pregnant or suffering from back or heart conditions. FLIGHT features a short burst of flashing lights.

Potted Potter

This Harry Potter parody has played to sold-out audiences all over the world – and this is your chance to see it in Canberra! Image: Potted Potter.

Potted Potter

When: 4 April to 7 April, shows at various times
Where: Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Circuit, Canberra
Cost: Tickets cost between $69.95 and $89.95 (plus transaction fee) and are available via the Theatre Centre’s website.

Potted Potter has found some Floo Powder, and now it’s coming to Australia for its fifth national tour. Created by two-time Olivier Award-nominated actors Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner, this show condenses all seven books into a 70-minute show (all without the use of Time Turner). In a new version for Australian muggles, the show even includes a real-life game of Quidditch! This show is suitable for children aged six and up (and adults, too).

Sunday

Animated still from Hercules showing a man pointing at a woman who is wringing water out of her hair

An egg hunt will follow a showing of the family-favourite Hercules (1997, directed by John Musker and Ron Clements). Image: Screenshot.

Hercules screening and Easter egg hunt

When: 31 March, from 1:45 pm
Where: Courtyard and Arc Cinema, National Film and Sound Archive, McCoy Circuit, Acton
Cost: Tickets cost between $10 and $12 and are available via the Film and Sound Archive’s website.

We’ve grown up with Disney’s animated version of the Ancient Greek myth, but here is a chance for younger audiences to see it on a bigger screen! The cast includes Tate Donovan, Danny DeVito, James Woods and Susan Egan. For those with a sweet tooth, a pre-screening chocolate egg hunt for children will take place in the NFSA Courtyard, starting at 1:45 pm. All children will also receive a complimentary activity sheet to identify the Easter eggs (hidden surprises) within the film.

Tuesday

Two choirs will take the stage and perform a range of pieces. Photo: Wesley Music Centre/Facebook.

Young Voices of Melbourne and Woden Valley Youth Choir performance

When: 2 April, 6:30 pm to 7:45 pm
Where: Wesley Music Centre, 20 National Circuit, Forrest
Cost: Tickets cost between $15 and $30 (with a $75 ticket for families) and are available via Trybooking.

Who said you need to travel for a good gig? The Young Voices of Melbourne and the Woden Valley Youth Choir will join forces for an unforgettable concert presented in collaboration with the Wesley Music Foundation.

Thursday

Can you tell your Time Turner from your Portkey? Can you name the three Deathly Hallows? Just checking. Photo: Thomas Lucraft.

Harry Potter Quiz-itch Trivia Night

When: 4 April, from 7:30 pm
Where: The Durham Castle Arms Pub, Kingston Shops, 52 Jardine Street, Kingston
Cost: Tickets cost $10 and are available via the pub’s website.

Think you know your Hippogriff from your Sorting Hat? Get some mates together and put your knowledge to the test in this annual Harry Potter-themed trivia competition. Pull on your favourite Harry Potter costume to go in the running for the best-dressed award.

Abstract artwork by Raafat Ishak

This panel discussion will explore how Egyptian art and culture have changed over the years to its contemporary form. Image: Sutton Gallery.

Living Egypt: Exploring contemporary expressions of culture, creativity and identity

When: 4 April, 6 pm to 7:30 pm
Where: National Museum of Australia, Lawson Cresent, Acton
Cost: Tickets cost between $10 and $15 and are available via Eventbrite.

This discussion will bring you into the heart of contemporary Egyptian culture across art, film, feminism and other fields. Actress and visual artist Helana Sawires, women’s history researcher Dr Lucia Sorbera and artist Dr Raafat Ishak will discuss how creative works can shape or otherwise influence modern societies. This Living Egypt discussion is the second in a series inspired by the National Museum’s Discovering Ancient Egypt exhibition, which is open until September 2024.

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National planning change paves way for 300 homes at Yarralumla https://the-riotact.com/national-planning-change-paves-way-for-300-homes-at-yarralumla/756869 https://the-riotact.com/national-planning-change-paves-way-for-300-homes-at-yarralumla/756869#comments Wed, 27 Mar 2024 23:30:09 +0000 https://the-riotact.com/?p=756869

Forestry Place proposal – oval view. The oval will continue to be managed by the ACT Government. Image: Kann Finch.

A 300-home mixed-use development at the former Australian Forestry School in Yarralumla is a step closer after the National Capital Authority ticked off an amendment to the National Capital Plan.

Sydney developer Oakstand Property Group, on behalf of Gunyar Pty Ltd, which represents the Shepherd Foundation, proposes to build between 250 and 300 apartment units, a small boutique hotel, an aged care facility and commercial offices on the site (Block 7 Section 4 Yarralumla), to be known as Forestry Place.

Draft Amendment 97 will rezone the land from community facility to mixed-use and set out a range of conditions for the site, which this or any developer will have to meet.


READ ALSO: Should Canberra be more ‘compact’? Report says yes


The NCA said the amendment allowed for residential, aged care, social housing, commercial accommodation, community facilities and ancillary commercial uses.

Up to 300 dwellings would be permitted on the site, including buildings of up to three storeys plus an attic, with 60 per cent of the site retained as open space and 45 per cent of that set aside for deep root planting.

Heritage buildings and structures, including the Australian Forestry School, the former Museum, store, tennis courts and Forestry House would be retained and adaptively reused.

The NCA said the majority of the new buildings must be located within the footprints of existing or recently demolished buildings. Their environmental performance would be critical, requiring high levels of natural light and cross ventilation.

They would also need to sit in the landscape according to its topography within the tree line.

The planning change comes after more than three years of consultation with the community and stakeholders, including the ACT Government.

Forestry Place masterplan

The Forestry Place masterplan shows how the development will be laid out. Image: Oakstand.

The NCA said this informed a range of controls in the final amendment, including maximum building heights, development footprint, landscape character, environmental performance, parking, access and movement.

Parking, access and movement must comply with ACT Government requirements, and development must ensure the site is prepared for electric vehicle infrastructure.

The oval was not subject to the amendment and would continue to be managed by the ACT Government.

Yarralumla residents would be able to walk through the grounds as the site develops.

The NCA would continue to have planning responsibility for the site, including approvals for proposed works, new buildings and landscape works such as tree removal and excavations.

Federal Minister for Territories Kristy McBain welcomed the amendment’s approval and the housing it would allow.

“This amendment is great news for the national capital because it opens up more land for housing supply in inner Canberra, encourages new commercial opportunities, and makes for better use of existing infrastructure on the site,” she said.

“Reimagining this much-loved part of Canberra will forge a pipeline of work that will support local job opportunities, stimulate the territory’s economy, and ensure the entire community can enjoy this space like never before.”

Federal Member for Canberra Alicia Payne said the amendment aimed to strike a balance between urban density and preserving the natural character of Yarralumla.

“I thank the local community for the extensive input into this amendment,” she said.

“There’s a strong focus on retaining and enhancing the natural character and landscape setting of the area, and in ensuring that community facilities, such as the oval, and heritage buildings, such as the Australian Forestry School and former museum, are safeguarded for future generations.”


READ ALSO: As Ginninderry’s houses and infrastructure are built, so is its community


The 20 submissions raised issues, including concerns about parking and traffic, heritage values, landscape impacts, and building heights and setbacks.

The Yarralumla Residents Association called for the development to be scaled back so issues such as the underestimated traffic impacts could be alleviated.

It also said there was no long-term plan for managing the heritage areas.

In 2021, the NCA limited development on the site to three storeys plus an attic.

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Labor weakened by silly ‘urgent’ move over its deportation bill https://the-riotact.com/labor-weakened-by-silly-urgent-move-over-its-deportation-bill/757034 https://the-riotact.com/labor-weakened-by-silly-urgent-move-over-its-deportation-bill/757034#comments Wed, 27 Mar 2024 22:30:10 +0000 https://the-riotact.com/?p=757034

The government didn’t get its way when it tried to rush immigration detention legislation through both houses of parliament. Photo: James Coleman.

In the complicated, convoluted and controversial world of immigration policy, the Albanese Government was convincingly outplayed in the final parliamentary sitting days before Easter.

Severely embarrassed is not too strong a term to describe what went down.

Being too clever by half is another term that fits.

Being just clever enough and seizing their moment to rain on the government’s parade is how you might say the Liberals played it.

Crossbenchers in the Senate? Simply outstanding.

Immigration Minister Andrew Giles, visibly worn down by the Opposition’s attacks on him in the Lower House over High Court rulings to release detained asylum seekers into the community, came up with what he must have thought was an ingenious idea.

The Migration Amendment (Removals and Other Measures) Bill 2024 seeks to make it easier to deport non-citizens and harder for detainees to challenge the immigration system in the High Court.

It would also give an immigration minister exceptional powers to pause visas for citizens of countries that will not take refugees back.

The merits of whether it is actually an ingenious idea can be debated elsewhere, and they will be now that the Senate has decided to give this bill far more scrutiny than the government wanted.

In what has turned out to be an amateur hour of juvenile politicking, the Labor government described the bill as so urgent that it must pass successfully through both houses of parliament within 48 hours.

The government only briefed the Opposition on it the morning before it was introduced. That was Tuesday (26 March).


READ ALSO: Senate delivers Labor an ‘almighty backfire’ over its deportation bill


As stunned as it was, the Coalition voted with Labor to pass the bill in the House of Representatives with barely a shred of debate and only two hours after the legislation was introduced to parliament.

Crossbench protestations – and human rights concerns – were ignored.

Yet, while Labor got what it wanted in the House, the Senate had other ideas.

A hastily arranged inquiry for late the same evening was agreed to, which only exposed how little the bureaucracy knew about the government’s intentions.

That’s when the Senate proved its value to our democratic system.

And that’s when the Opposition played a better hand than the government.

The crossbench was never going to agree to rush such hastily put-together legislation through parliament without proper scrutiny, especially when so many human and legal rights are at stake.

But the crossbench on its own doesn’t have the numbers. Not in the Reps. Not in the Senate.

It was shut down in the Lower House, but in the Upper (to the Greens’ and independents’ surprise), the Coalition agreed to send the bill to committee, not to return for at least six weeks.


READ ALSO: Greens, independents decry deportation bill ‘disgracefully’ rushed through parliament


That allowed the crossbench to rail on the government for its contempt for proper parliamentary process and the Coalition to look like the adults of the two major parties.

Yes, this was too important to rush through, they said.

Typical of this Labor government, they bemoaned. Instead, let’s look into this bill thoroughly.

The government wasn’t expecting that from an Opposition that probably agrees to every harsh move it is trying to make against asylum seekers.

That was how Wednesday (27 March) played out – with Labor insisting the bill had to pass now, while the Coalition and crossbench saying no.

It also allowed the Opposition to grill Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil over an altercation she reportedly had with her department boss, Stephanie Foster, over information being disclosed on crimes committed or allegedly committed by released immigration detainees.

It was an altercation that apparently left Ms Foster in tears.

So while the bill will likely pass (eventually) with amendments the government will be forced to agree to, Labor enters the parliamentary break wounded.

The Coalition, however, ended the session with a significant win.

The crossbench, as usual, is doing its best to keep them all accountable.

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Canberra United is an asset worth saving – let’s hope it doesn’t come to that https://the-riotact.com/if-canberra-united-folds-it-will-impact-not-just-on-womens-football-is-it-time-for-the-canberra-community-to-step-up/756205 https://the-riotact.com/if-canberra-united-folds-it-will-impact-not-just-on-womens-football-is-it-time-for-the-canberra-community-to-step-up/756205#comments Wed, 27 Mar 2024 22:00:17 +0000 https://the-riotact.com/?p=756205 Canberra United. Photo: Canberra United Facebook.

Canberra United is under threat. Photo: Canberra United Facebook.

It’s hard to comprehend how Canberra United could be in danger of being no more.

It’s also difficult to gain a complete understanding of exactly how we have come to this point.

Canberra United, two-time champions and a foundation club in the original W-League (now A-League Women), appears to be caught in the middle of uncertainty.

The Australian Professional Leagues are attempting to secure a financial backer for an A-League Men licence in Canberra.

That is no small ask, with the APL seeking $25 million for a licence for the new club. Thanks to a billionaire backer, Auckland will be one of the new expansion teams after coming up with the funds.


READ ALSO: Net gains: Volleyball ACT all set to serve up fitness, fun and friendship for all


In Canberra’s case, finding a similar backer has so far proven elusive. Sources tell us almost every week that an announcement is imminent, but nothing has happened, resulting in pessimism about the required funding.

The problem for Canberra United is the APL’s assertion that the licence for the A-League Men also includes taking over the running of the women’s A-League program.

Capital Football has been the financial backer of Canberra United since 2008, but there appears to be uncertainty over Capital Football’s ongoing commitment due to rising costs.

It’s noteworthy that Canberra United is the only team in the A-League funded by a state or territory association. All other clubs are run by an A-League licensee, which also operates a men’s side. So Canberra United is swimming in a sea of uncertainty.

The ACT Government has already been approached about its appetite to put more funds into Canberra United if there is no A-League Men’s licence and Capital Football cannot commit to the team’s financial backing.

The government’s response is that it already contributes $250,000 to the Canberra United program and has made no commitment to put more ACT Government money into the team.

Ashleigh Sykes. Photo: File.

Ashleigh Sykes took to social media to express the frustration of many with the current situation. Photo: File.

Former Canberra United and Matilda’s player Ashleigh Sykes went on social media to express her frustration at the impasse, expressing frustration at the level of government funding for the A-League Women team when compared to the funding allocated to the Greater Western Sydney AFL team.

She wrote: “Certain it’s not just players but also fans of Canberra United who would like to see movement on this soon. Indecision and lack of direction has seemingly left this foundation club and a mainstay of the women’s game in a difficult position. Frustrating. Won’t participate in bidding for the massively successful home WWC [Women’s World Cup] that finished eight months ago, or increase investment in a local team off the back of that. Will continue to pay about 2.8m a year for an AFL team to play three games in Canberra.”


READ ALSO: 7.5-metre tall rocket made entirely of Lego to launch new Questacon exhibition this May


If Canberra United were to fold, it would be a travesty, not just for women’s football in the ACT but also for the wider sporting community in the region.

It would create the impression that, as a community, we have been unable to support one of our most successful women’s sporting teams.

As a community, we have taken pride in the success of our women’s sporting teams and it has contributed to the psyche of the city.

If Canberra United is wound up, what would happen to the pathway for young players? Will they be forced to relocate to chase their aspirations?

When the Canberra Raiders faced financial stress in 1991, the ‘Save the Raiders’ fund was launched. The community and businesses dug deep to secure the team’s future.

Perhaps similar action may be called for to save Canberra United. As a community asset, we can’t afford to lose it.

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Additional demerit point added for all road offences as traffic ramps up this Easter long weekend https://the-riotact.com/additional-demerit-point-added-for-all-road-offences-as-traffic-ramps-up-this-easter-long-weekend/757025 https://the-riotact.com/additional-demerit-point-added-for-all-road-offences-as-traffic-ramps-up-this-easter-long-weekend/757025#comments Wed, 27 Mar 2024 21:36:49 +0000 https://the-riotact.com/?p=757025 police officer

Don’t expect any leniency if you break the road rules this Easter long weekend. Photo: Michelle Kroll.

Motorists have been warned to expect more traffic than usual as the latest public holiday kicks off.

The Easter break falls outside the school holiday period this year, meaning traffic is expected to peak Thursday afternoon and Friday morning as people knock off from work and hit the road.

ACT Policing Acting Inspector Mark Richardson, the officer in charge of road policing, said people should factor in an extra 30 minutes to an hour if they are taking part in the “great coastal migration” from Canberra to the South Coast.

“It’s not a long drive, but there will be a higher volume of traffic,” he said.

“It will just be busy.”

This will be no excuse for dangerous driving anywhere in the Territory.

“We would much rather you be delayed by a few minutes or even an hour than have a crash,” Act Insp Richardson said.

“Road safety is everyone’s responsibility. That means slow down, overtake safely and pay attention to the road. Put the phone down because we want you to get to your destination safely. Help us do that by driving as safely as you can.”

Double demerits are in place in both the ACT and NSW from 12:01 am, Thursday, 28 March, until 11:59 pm on Monday, 1 April, meaning there are five days you could cop a larger punishment for speeding, seatbelt, mobile phone and motorcycle helmet offences.

An additional demerit point will also apply for all other traffic offences in Canberra.

Act Insp Richardson warned not to expect any leniency.

“We’ll have zero tolerance … there’s no such thing as a caution for us anymore,” he said.

“The only thing that works [in stopping illegal driving behaviour] is infringements; that’s the unfortunate reality of it.”


READ ALSO: WATCH: carjacker robs woman at knifepoint in Canberra Centre’s rooftop car park


Across the border, NSW Police Traffic and Highway Patrol South Superintendent Jo Thone said officers would saturate roads across the Hume, Wollongong, Lake Illawarra, South Coast and Monaro police districts.

“We will see a significant increase on our roads as people travel to and through southern parts of NSW this long weekend,” Supt Thone said.

“A reminder for all road users this weekend is to plan your trips, take regular breaks, don’t drive whilst distracted and don’t take unnecessary risks.

“It is everyone’s responsibility to be safe on the roads, and for those who break the road rules, you will be in our sights.”

Seven lives were lost on NSW roads over the 2023 Easter long weekend.


READ ALSO: New weekend bus timetable boosts Saturday services, Sunday misses out


Transport for NSW Acting Chief Customer Officer Roger Weeks asked drivers to be flexible.

“We know from previous years where Easter hasn’t aligned with school holidays that heavy traffic starts to build on Thursday afternoon as school and work wrap up for the week and will continue into the Good Friday public holiday,” he said.

“With more cars on the road and potentially wet conditions along routes to popular holiday hot spots, we’re reminding people there will be an increased risk on our roads.

“Be flexible, plan your trip and check the forecast before you set off. That extra check could save a lot of time and stress by helping to avoid driving through storms or in the heaviest traffic.”

There will be extra eyes in the sky this long weekend, marking the first Easter break where Transport for NSW has deployed drones to monitor traffic at key pinch points on the network.

Traffic pinch points are expected at Nowra, Jervis Bay, Milton and Ulladulla on the Princes Highway in the south.

Traffic volumes are expected to swell again when NSW school holidays kick off in mid-April and ahead of Anzac Day on Thursday, 25 April.

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Law reform council wants to hear from public about sentencing for dangerous drivers https://the-riotact.com/law-reform-council-wants-to-hear-from-public-about-sentencing-for-dangerous-drivers/756639 https://the-riotact.com/law-reform-council-wants-to-hear-from-public-about-sentencing-for-dangerous-drivers/756639#comments Wed, 27 Mar 2024 21:00:13 +0000 https://the-riotact.com/?p=756639 father with his two sons

Matthew McLuckie (right) stands with his younger brother, Joseph, and his father, Tom McLuckie. Photo: ACTnowforsaferroads.

The ACT Law Reform and Sentencing Advisory Council (LRSAC) has begun its public consultation period for its referral to the ‘Dangerous driving: sentencing and recidivism’ panel and wants to know the public’s thoughts on the sentencing process for such offenders.

One person who will be making a submission is Tom McLuckie.

It has previously been alleged that on 19 May 2022, a driver had drugs in her system when she drove a stolen car onto the wrong side of the road at almost 180 km/h before she crashed into the car of Mr McLuckie’s 20-year-old son, Matthew.

Matthew died the next day. The alleged driver remains before the courts.

“For the most serious crimes, specifically culpable driving causing death and [grievous bodily harm], despite what the report states as per Crimes Sentencing Act and the Monfries appeal that no one purpose is to be prioritised over any other purpose, it is clear from recent judgements that rehabilitation is being given priority over all other purposes,” Mr McLuckie said.

He said this was reflected in several recent judgments, citing the sentence for the 16-year-old who killed Susi Kopysiewicz and Claire Sankey in a crash on 9 October 2022, the man who killed disability advocate Sue Salthouse by crashing into her on 20 July 2020, as well as the drunk driver who killed ice hockey player Lachlan Seary on 8 March 2021.


READ ALSO: Therapeutic Support Panel established four months after raising age of criminal responsibility


LRSAC is asking whether the public believes the current maximum penalties for driving offences are appropriate and whether there are any specific aspects of sentencing practices that need reform.

“The council is particularly interested in hearing diverse perspectives on how best to address repeat offending and enhancing the safety of our community,” former ACT magistrate and LRSAC chair Lisbeth Campbell said.

“Some of the most valuable insights to the matters canvassed in this consultation paper may come from community members.”

woman in colourful top

Former magistrate Lisbeth Campbell is now the Law Reform and Sentencing Advisory Council chair. Photo: Albert McKnight.

When asked for his thoughts on the topic of repeat offending, Mr McLuckie said a Freedom of Information request from Corrective Services showed that of 49 detainees at the Alexander Maconochie Centre who had been involved in serious motor vehicle offences, 48 were repeat offenders.

“We [see] the same offenders constantly reappearing at our courts and sometimes multiple generations of the same families,” he said.

Operation TORIC [which targets recidivist offending and dangerous driving in the ACT] has also clearly demonstrated that repeat offending is a huge challenge for all categories of those on provisional liberty – bail, good behaviour orders, intensive correction orders and parole …

“Of 134 cases that since January 2019 to September 2023 went to the Supreme Court involving ‘dangerous driving’ offences, 130 of these offenders had a mention of previous offending. This is despite our government claiming it is addressing recidivism.”


READ ALSO: Attorney-General felt it was his ‘duty’ to probe DPP’s discontinuation rate of sexual assault cases


LRSAC is an independent expert body that provides high-level advice to Attorney General Shane Rattenbury on law reform and sentencing matters.

This consultation period will focus on the sentencing of dangerous driving offenders, including repeat offenders, in the context of recommendations arising from the Standing Committee on Justice and Committee Safety Report No. 16 Inquiry into Dangerous Driving, which can be viewed here, along with the government’s response to those recommendations.

The council has published a consultation paper that contains 16 questions directed to the referral’s terms of reference to help shape submissions.

LRSAC wants to hear from a wide range of people and also welcomes submissions from practitioners, institutional organisations and agencies whose work is relevant to the subject matter of the consultation paper.

The consultation paper is here. You can make a submission by clicking the same link.

Submissions are due by 7 May and LRSAC will hand its recommendations to Mr Rattenbury by 30 July.

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Insta ‘perfect’ isn’t real life: A 13-year-old tried to bully me on the internet – here’s my response https://the-riotact.com/a-13-year-old-tried-to-bully-me-on-the-internet-heres-what-i-want-to-say-to-her/756918 https://the-riotact.com/a-13-year-old-tried-to-bully-me-on-the-internet-heres-what-i-want-to-say-to-her/756918#comments Wed, 27 Mar 2024 20:00:19 +0000 https://the-riotact.com/?p=756918 royal family portrait with AI identified

Life is messier than Instagram, yet even royals are under pressure to present the ‘perfect’ image online (even if it means using AI). Photo: Kensington Palace/Region.

I post regularly on social media and enjoy being part of an online community, but I’m very aware of the pitfalls of platforms that are designed to keep us engaged, often to the detriment of our mental health.

While I enjoy my time on the internet, I’ve always been grateful that I didn’t grow up in a time when social media was the norm. In my adolescence, dial-up internet was still the go, and I was only allocated an hour on the family PC to use MSN Messenger and Neopets.

There wasn’t the opportunity or the medium for nastiness to follow me home from school via my mobile device, nor was there the chance for me to gain a warped sense of reality as a result of consuming doctored and edited images online.

These days, most of my online activity revolves around my primary hobby, in the equestrian world. Through the horse community in Canberra, I’ve met some wonderful young people and their families. Most of the time, the community we have, both in person and online, is positive.


READ ALSO: Senate delivers Labor an ‘almighty backfire’ over its deportation bill


This week, though, one of my posts on social media attracted a narky comment from an anonymous user who commented to critique my riding position. It was a fairly low-level comment casting shade on my position – and several of my younger friends jumped in to defend me, pointing out that the footage of me riding was from only eight weeks after I had a caesarian.

“Why don’t you try and compete after having a baby eight weeks prior and let us know how that goes?” a friend commented. In response, the user replied that they were 13 years old and therefore couldn’t.

I messaged my friend and told her not to stress about it. I wasn’t fazed by the comment itself, but I would be lying if I said the commenter’s age didn’t give me pause.

Thirteen feels young to be using social media to leave mean(ish) comments on strangers’ posts. But what actually concerns me is what this young woman must be internalising as a result of the content she views, if this is how she responds to other people.

If I could reach out to her directly, I would want to point out to her that her idea of what is ‘good’ in our sport is defined by carefully edited content from people who curate their image and that the ideal of perfection she bases her assessment of others off is largely unattainable and also not realistic. It would be the same in any sport or niche. What we see online is not reflective of most people who enjoy those activities, whose bodies may look different while doing the same things, and who can’t necessarily edit and highlight their footage the way an influencer can.


READ ALSO: Buying and moving the Big Merino


Aside from how that unrealistic perspective can impact how she sees others, I worry more about how it will affect her self-perception. As this young woman grows and her body changes, undoubtedly, she won’t see herself reflected in the content she consumes, and if she can’t recognise the false reality of social media now, she stands to take a hit to her self-esteem down the track.

I understand the need for young people to test boundaries and express themselves online, and I’m too much of a realist to think that there is any way, short of banning social media entirely, to avoid negativity and bullying on online platforms. But I do hope that there is sufficient education and support for young people to have a critical engagement with what they see on social media and to understand that real life doesn’t come with a filter and a soundtrack and that there is more joy in a messy, uncurated reality than an impossible-to-maintain fantasy.

In the meantime, I’ll keep sharing footage of myself in our sport to add some diversity to what is out there for younger equestrians to view and relate to. If anything, this week’s interactions have made me more aware than ever of how important it is that our screens reflect reality.

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PM greets lawnmower trek but no change in Motor Neurone Disease monitoring planned https://the-riotact.com/pm-greets-lawnmower-trek-but-no-change-in-motor-neurone-disease-monitoring-planned/756845 https://the-riotact.com/pm-greets-lawnmower-trek-but-no-change-in-motor-neurone-disease-monitoring-planned/756845#respond Wed, 27 Mar 2024 19:30:56 +0000 https://the-riotact.com/?p=756845 Prime Minister and MND sufferers

MND sufferer ‘Woz’ Acott and daughter Belinda with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Photo: Supplied.

The Federal and NSW Labor governments appear to have rejected a push to improve monitoring of Motor Neurone Disease (MND), despite a face-to-face plea to the Prime Minister from an MND sufferer himself.

Former truck driver Warren ‘Woz’ Acott made an 800 km trek on a ride-on lawnmower from Toollen (near Bendigo) in Victoria to Parliament House in Canberra to raise awareness of the fatal illness that weakens the nervous system and muscles.

He met with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese armed with a petition signed by 5300 people asking for MND to be made a nationally notifiable disease, which would oblige government to monitor, record and track cases in each geographical area to give researchers the data they need to discover causes and cures.

However, the Federal Department of Health and Aged Care refused to tell Region whether it would consider adding MND to the list of nationally notifiable diseases it maintains.

The NSW Government also has the power to make MND notifiable at a state level, but a NSW Health spokesperson said that was not likely to happen.

“Generally, the conditions that are notifiable to the Secretary of NSW Health are infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, which require a clearly defined public health response to limit transmission, which does not apply to MND,” the spokesperson said.

The NSW Health Minister is Ryan Park and his federal counterpart is Mark Butler.


READ ALSO: ‘It should have been there first’: Therapeutic Support Panel established four months after raising age of criminal responsibility


Mr Acott’s daughter, Belinda, said her family was not prepared to give up.

“A couple of people told us that a notifiable disease needs to be infectious, but we know they did make cancer a notifiable disease,” she said.

She’s launched an e-petition that will back up the paper petition.

“On average, each day in Australia two people die from MND and two people are diagnosed with MND,” the petition states.

“This is a relatively high prevalence compared to the rest of the world … if MND became recognised as a notifiable disease, not only would more people know about it, but 1) those suffering from it would have better access to the support services they need; and 2) more research could be done into how and why this disease affects so many.”

MND rally

A rally of advocates of MND research to support ‘Woz’ on the lawns of parliament house. Photo: Supplied.

As of Tuesday (26 March), the e-petition had attracted just under 3000 signatures. It will be open for signatures until 23 April 2024.

Belinda’s motivation increases as she sees her 66-year-old dad struggling more and more each day.

“Dad was diagnosed eight months ago and we’ve seen a rapid decline physically … he’s lost the use of his arms and legs and now it’s affected his eating and swallowing,” she said.

“We don’t know how it happened … nobody else in our family has had it. That’s why we need to make this a notifiable disease.”

She was, however, satisfied with how her father was greeted and welcomed by the Prime Minister.

“My Dad said to him – ‘imagine how you’d feel if you woke up and weren’t able to scratch your n***,” she said.

“[Mr Albanese] genuinely took a moment to consider it. He listened to us carefully.”

The Prime Minister told ‘Woz’ his trek was “an amazing achievement”.

“I just salute your bravery going 800 km just to see a bunch of politicians in Parliament House,” he said.

Woz’s journey took him through the Riverina towns of Wagga, Leeton and Griffith, where rates of MND are seven times the national average.

In Wagga he fell over when trying to move into a wheelchair, hitting his head on concrete and ending up in Wagga Base Hospital, but he continued his journey the next day.

More information on Woz’s journey and petition can be found by following the Mow Down MND Facebook group.

Original Article published by Oliver Jacques on Region Riverina.

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‘It’s tough, rewarding and over quickly.’ Why Canberra corporates keep coming back to the Stair Chase https://the-riotact.com/its-tough-rewarding-and-over-quickly-why-canberra-corporates-keep-coming-back-to-the-stair-chase/754044 https://the-riotact.com/its-tough-rewarding-and-over-quickly-why-canberra-corporates-keep-coming-back-to-the-stair-chase/754044#respond Wed, 27 Mar 2024 19:00:13 +0000 https://the-riotact.com/?p=754044 two people shaking hands

Menslink CEO Ben Gathercole congratulates the fastest woman in the 2023 Geocon High Society Stair Chase, Ellen Bradley of BAL Lawyers. Photo: Thomas Lucraft.

As Ed Sperry took stock of the 27 storeys he was about to climb for the 2023 Geocon High Society Stair Chase, it occurred to him that he had not trained in preparation at all.

High Society – Canberra’s tallest residential towers – loomed as he contemplated a strategy for climbing the 113 vertical metres of stairs to the top, where glory and barbecue awaited.

“My plan of attack was to pace myself,” he says.

As he found out, it mattered little. Like the other 80 or so people representing businesses across Canberra, his legs started feeling heavy about a quarter of the way up; by halfway, they were jelly, and by the 20th storey, it was hard to tell which burned more – his lungs or quads.

But all was forgiven with the elation of reaching the 27th floor, somewhere in the middle of the pack.

“I was far from first but, from my perspective, I’d had a good run, and the top had come a lot sooner than I had expected,” he says.

“Honestly, had I walked up the stairs and come dead last, it would still have been awesome. That’s the nature of this event – it’s a tough challenge, but rewarding, and it’s over quickly.”


READ ALSO: New school program invites young guys to ‘unplug to reconnect’


Hosted by Canberra developer Geocon, the Stair Chase challenge is an annual fundraising event for the volunteer-run counselling, education and mentoring service Menslink.

Menslink CEO Ben Gathercole says events like these, held by the local business community, are critical to the organisation’s ability to deliver its services in Canberra and its environs.

“Our services will always be free, and without this kind of initiative, we wouldn’t survive,” he says.

“Unfortunately, demand always outstrips our ability to supply our services. It was that way before COVID and is certainly true post-pandemic.”

The Stair Chase is gruelling but invariably worth it. Photo: Thomas Lucraft.

The Stair Chase, which this year takes place on Tuesday, 7 May, hopes to raise $20,000 for Menslink and is on track to becoming one of the organisation’s most iconic events.

“Being a Geocon concept, its origins are with Canberra tradies and it’s a much-loved event in that community. But over the years, it has expanded to the peripheral service groups, and everyone from media professionals to lawyers have been happy to jump in,” Ben says.

Like BAL Lawyers’ Ellen Bradley. The avid ultra-runner, who is used to distances of more than 42 km (including in mountainous areas), was the fastest woman in the Stair Chase last year, with a time of 3 minutes and 13 seconds.

But she says the glory was not in that win.

“Menslink is a phenomenal Canberra charity doing crucial work with young men. It needs support from all corners of the community. My fellow BAL teammates and I were happy to participate because the health and well-being of young men in Canberra is important,” she says.

“When life gets difficult, you must put one foot in front of the other, physically and mentally. The Stair Chase reflects their struggles.

“It’s hard running up that kind of incline, but when it gets difficult, it’s important to think of why you’re doing it. I know what some young men go through every day is more gruelling than climbing 27 storeys.”


READ ALSO: Menslink walkers tired but satisfied after an epic trek and an enormous achievement


Ed will be returning this year with a new strategy.

“I’m going to cane it up the stairs,” he says. “I know my legs will fatigue, and I’ll be gassing after the first few flights, but I also know I’ll be up the top before I know it, and the feeling up there will be tremendous.”

Whether you’re a seasoned trail runner or winging it, whether you come first or last, it’s worth a go, he reckons.

“Don’t be daunted. Go as slow as you like; take as long as you need to reach the top.”

The Geocon High Society Stair Chase for 2024 takes place on Tuesday, 7 May, at 7 am. Register as an individual or team before Monday, 1 April.

REGION MEDIA PARTNER CONTENT

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Developing licensing laws, government contracts on table for building industry roundtable https://the-riotact.com/developing-licensing-laws-government-contracts-on-table-for-building-industry-roundtable/756712 https://the-riotact.com/developing-licensing-laws-government-contracts-on-table-for-building-industry-roundtable/756712#comments Wed, 27 Mar 2024 05:30:06 +0000 https://the-riotact.com/?p=756712 Michael Hopkins

MBA ACT CEO Michael Hopkins said there was more to be done to solve the ACT’s housing woes. Photo: Region.

The ACT Government will convene a building industry roundtable in the coming weeks to find a way through the current crisis in which four ACT companies have folded in the past two months, leaving projects, employees and subcontractors in limbo.

The move comes after crisis talks this week with Master Builders ACT, which says the government agreed to put aspects of the proposed developer licensing laws and the new ACT security of payments system on the table.

The government says it will also look at a shared-risk approach in its contracts.

It also comes as subcontractors owed money by the failed Rork Group of companies learned from administrators that they had little chance of being paid.


READ ALSO: Who’s going to build the 1.2 million homes? Pocock calls on government to protect subcontractors


Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the roundtable would include Planning Minister Chris Steel, the Minister for Business and Minister for Industrial Relations Mick Gentleman and the Minister for Sustainable Building and Construction Rebecca Vassarotti, peak bodies, unions and other associated entities – both national and local.

The roundtable would work collaboratively on the issues the sector was facing and report back to the ACT Government, he said.

Master Builders ACT CEO Michael Hopkins said the government had committed to engage with industry on controversial parts of the proposed property developers licensing laws, including their retrospective nature.

“We have also secured a commitment to review security payment laws so that these laws properly support subcontractors and suppliers who deserve to be paid on time while also being workable for the head contractors who rely on being paid on time by their clients,” he said.

Mr Hopkins said how the government managed its contracts also needed to be addressed, saying it needed to do away with inflexible contracts that locked in contractors to labour and material prices before inflation really hit.

“We believe that the ACT Government has a responsibility to be a model client. We then expect private sector developers and other clients to follow the government’s lead by allowing fair risk sharing in building contracts,” he said.

two men on building site

Rork Projects’ Brian O’Rourke and John Paul Janke: unsecured creditors unlikely to see a cent. Photo: Rork Projects.

He said the message to government at all levels was that they should adjust their reform agenda to suit the economic conditions.

“Every new regulation adds cost, impacts productivity, and adds to the stress that small local businesses are currently feeling,” he said.

Mr Barr said the building industry crisis was a national issue primarily driven by increased costs and reduced availability of finance compounded by fluctuations in the cost of materials and labour.

He said the best way the ACT Government could support the industry was to provide a strong, public infrastructure pipeline with a range of project sizes and types.

“These projects will create local jobs and reduce uncertainty in the market into the future,” Mr Barr said.

“This is what this government will continue to focus our efforts on.”

He said practical measures, such as innovative procurement models that appropriately share risk while achieving value-for-money outcomes that support both industry and the community, would also be considered.

But it will be little comfort to the ACT tradies left out of pocket by the recent spate of business failures.

Administrators for the Rork Group say in a creditors report ahead of a creditors meeting on 2 April that its companies owe about $30 million, half of which is to trade creditors across the three states and the ACT in which they operated.

They will recommend to creditors that the Rork be wound up but also say unsecured creditors are unlikely to see any return.

The companies’ 77 employers may receive a portion of their $2.2 million in entitlements through the federal Fair Entitlement Guarantee.


READ ALSO: Taylor homes in on government’ reliance’ on arrivals as debate reignites over migration and housing crisis


When Rork went into administration on 1 March, it cited a “tsunami of impossible economic conditions”, but the report says other factors were loss-making contracts in 2022 and 2023, fewer new tenders being won, and continuing high overheads.

It had 60 projects on the go, 14 in the ACT.

The report says the group was insolvent from at least 30 June 2023 and possibly earlier.

Other ACT building companies to go under recently have been Cubitt’s Granny Flats and Home Extensions, Project Coordination and Voyager Projects.

They followed the failure of PBS Building last year.

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Senate delivers Labor an ‘almighty backfire’ over its deportation bill https://the-riotact.com/senate-delivers-labor-an-almighty-backfire-over-its-deportation-bill/756873 https://the-riotact.com/senate-delivers-labor-an-almighty-backfire-over-its-deportation-bill/756873#comments Wed, 27 Mar 2024 02:50:37 +0000 https://the-riotact.com/?p=756873 Senate

The Senate has stalled Labor’s migration deportation bill, sending it away for a six-week committee inquiry. Photo: APH File.

The Federal Government has failed in its mad dash effort to get its controversial deportation bill signed off before the Easter break.

In a move that has severely embarrassed the Albanese Government, the Opposition has joined with the crossbench in the Senate to delay the bill.

The legislation seeks to make it easier to deport non-citizens and harder for detainees to challenge the immigration system in the High Court.

New laws would also give immigration ministers exceptional powers to pause visas for citizens of countries that will not take refugees back.

While it passed in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (26 March), the Senate sent the bill to a two-hour inquiry that night that left everyone but Labor deciding it needed further scrutiny.

With the Coalition joining Labor to pass the bill in the House, the government had hoped the Senate would also pass the bill today (Wednesday 27 March).

But instead, the Coalition teamed up with the Greens and Independents to delay the bill for at least another six weeks in order for a more thorough inquiry to be held.

Independent ACT senator David Pocock said the slap down was an “almighty backfire” for the government, which he had already accused of trying to bypass proper parliamentary process.


READ ALSO: Greens, independents decry deportation bill ‘disgracefully’ rushed through parliament


Senator Pocock will instead move amendments to the bill to include protections for women and also provide a sunset clause to the minister’s new powers.

Finance Minister Katy Gallagher did her best to persuade the Senate that the bill needed passing urgently, but the plea fell on deaf ears.

Coalition senators appeared to surprise their crossbench counterparts by voting for the delay.

“We see today the Opposition who talks big on all these issues siding with the Greens political party to defer a matter that our advice and our advisors have told us is important to get done,” Senator Gallagher said.

“No more lectures from those opposite. No more out trying to wind-up the scare campaigns.

“No more accusations of us not working in the national interest because we see a clear example today of the Opposition not acting in the national interest.”

Shadow home affairs minister James Paterson said the bill warranted a “proper inquiry” as there were serious issues at stake and officials at last night’s hastily held inquiry were unable to answer basic questions about the bill’s intentions.

“Coalition senators basically begged the government to demonstrate why it was so urgent, why it had to be rushed to the parliament in 36 hours and they failed to do so,” Senator Paterson said.

“They couldn’t explain how many people this would affect. They couldn’t explain what the consequences of this would be for any upcoming High Court cases…

“We are very concerned about the failure to do work on third country resettlement options. We are very concerned this might inadvertently encourage people to get back on boats again.”


READ ALSO: Attorney-General felt it was his ‘duty’ to probe DPP’s discontinuation rate of sexual assault cases


But it was Greens senator David Shoebridge whose critique of Labor’s failed political ploy was the most savage.

“This is a pure political play that is unravelling as we watch,” Senator Shoebrigde said.

“This is about Labor trying to outflank the Coalition and move to the right of the Coalition in a bill that they seem to have just made up in some long late night drinking session and then brought to the parliament.

“You couldn’t make this stuff up.

“This was meant to be a government that’s now run by adults but this was like some sort of kiddies’ crayon drawing being brought into parliament and then defended by embarrassed officials and half-briefed ministers. That’s what we got last night.”

The reporting date for the inquiry is 7 May, but the Greens are striving to have pushed back even further to allow the legal affairs committee to give thorough scrutiny.

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Ex-Youth Olympic skier Ben Wynn handed two years’ jail for repeated abuse of underage girls https://the-riotact.com/ex-youth-olympic-skier-ben-wynn-handed-two-years-jail-for-repeated-abuse-of-underage-girls/756688 Wed, 27 Mar 2024 01:50:23 +0000 https://the-riotact.com/?p=756688 young man wearing a suit

Benjamin Wynn, 21, pleaded guilty to several child abuse-related charges. Screenshot: YouTube.

CONTENT WARNING: This article refers to child abuse.

A Snowy Mountains man who repeatedly sexually assaulted four underage girls now feels “shame and disgust” at himself for forcing his victims to live with the consequences of his actions.

Benjamin Wynn, a now-21-year-old skier who competed in the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics, was convicted and sentenced to two years in jail with a one-year non-parole period by the NSW District Court on Wednesday (27 March).

He had turned 18 before he began repeatedly raping the girls, three 15-year-olds and one 14-year-old, in the early 2020s.

Agreed facts for the case say that in 2021 he had gone to a sex and relationship education presentation at his school where those present were told that the age of consent was 16.

However, he still went on to repeatedly rape the four girls.

Judge Peter Whitford SC said in one case he disregarded her lack of consent as she had told him “no” and expressed hesitance.

Wynn was arrested in 2022 and pleaded guilty to several counts of having sex with a child between the ages of 14 and 16, as well as one count of aggravated sexual assault against a person under 16.


READ ALSO: Carjacker robs woman at knifepoint in Canberra Centre’s rooftop car park


In a statement for the court, one of the then-15-year-olds said she had been terrified about going to court and found the process “draining and humiliating”.

“It took me six months to realise that I didn’t need to be scared or embarrassed or sad, but that I needed to be courageous. I had to stand up for myself,” she said.

“I was more than a victim of Ben Wynn and I am more than the initials used to describe what he did to me. From now on, I will only find space in my mind to pity him. I can no longer live with resentment and hate.”

Judge Whitford said he needed to acknowledge the harm caused to the survivors.

“It is clear Mr Wynn has come to an acute understanding of the nature of those harms and the consequences of his offending,” he said.

The judge said he had been 18 at the time of the offences but was still a schoolboy and his age and circumstances meant a different approach was required on sentencing than what would be appropriate for an older offender.

Wynn was still sexually and emotionally immature and naive at the time and Judge Whitford didn’t think his taking advantage of the girls’ ages was done maliciously. He also noted the age gap between him and the girls was relatively close.


READ ALSO: ‘This was no accident’: husband, wife ‘hatched’ plan to stage car crash then claim insurance


Judge Whitford said the skier had been “a young man on top of the world” with much to look forward to at the time, who had achieved a lot and was looked up to in his community.

He also said there was a degree of extra-curial punishment due to the time he had spent in custody as he had been assaulted twice and others had tried to extort money from his father. He is now in protective custody.

Judge Whitford thought there was no meaningful prospect of him offending again and said aside from sentencing factors like general deterrence, “the community gains nothing from this man’s incarceration”.

Wynn has been in custody since December 2023, and as his sentence was backdated, he is eligible to be released from December 2024.

He was also handed a three-year community corrections order for which he must complete 300 hours of community service.

“Yes, Your Honour,” he replied from jail when asked if he understood his sentence.

If this story has raised any concerns for you, 1800RESPECT, the national 24-hour sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line, can be contacted on 1800 737 732. Help and support are also available through the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre on 02 6247 2525, the Domestic Violence Crisis Service ACT 02 6280 0900, and Lifeline on 13 11 14. In an emergency, call Triple Zero.

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‘It should have been there first’: Therapeutic Support Panel established four months after raising age of criminal responsibility https://the-riotact.com/it-should-have-been-there-first-therapeutic-support-panel-established-four-months-on-from-raising-the-age/756524 Wed, 27 Mar 2024 00:45:45 +0000 https://the-riotact.com/?p=756524 bimberi youth justice centre

As the minimum age of criminal responsibility is steadily raised to 14 by 2025, more children will be diverted away from the criminal justice system and into support services. Photo: Region.

A support panel to guide young people and their families who previously would have been involved in the criminal justice system has begun its work.

However, some have expressed concerns this should have been ready as soon as the minimum age of of was lifted to 12 years.

The Therapeutic Support Panel was always scheduled to start on 27 March, even though the legislation to raise the age from 10 commenced in November 2023.

Former ACT Policing Chief Police Officer Neil Gaughan told Region this left police powerless to intervene if children were caught committing offences.

“It should have been there first. These kids are already being governed by changes in the legislation, but there’s nothing to deal with them now,” he said.

Former CPO Gaughan explained that police officers had been encountering a handful of children who could have been arrested and charged under the old system, and he was concerned that the interim solutions hadn’t been designed to fully support them.

“These kids don’t have business-as-usual challenges … they have highly complex issues that we need a proper response to,” he explained.

“If we can’t get it right in a smaller jurisdiction, I really worry about how we get it right across the country.”

He felt that something similar to the Therapeutic Support Panel, which will develop therapeutic support plans and coordinate services for children diverted to it, should be set up to support kids at an even younger age, such as 9 or 10.

“They come from really, really difficult family circumstances. [Usually] there’s a strong history of family violence in their life and they just know violence – it’s not their fault – so we actually want to make sure there are the services in place for these kids when they’re seven, eight, nine, so they’re not killing someone when they’re 14,” former CPO Gaughan said.

“If there’s no intervention, that’s the inevitable outcome. And if they’re not going to kill someone, they’re going to end up in jail for something.”


READ ALSO: Attorney-General felt it was his ‘duty’ to probe DPP’s discontinuation rate of sexual assault cases


An ACT Government spokesperson explained that while no service had been contracted, there had been an interim service response since November (operated by the Community Service Directorate) to make sure affected children, young people and their families were supported.

“This has offered the same type of support that will be provided under the panel including undertaking assessments, developing therapeutic support plans and the coordination of services to support the child and their family,” they said.

This was provided to a “small number” of children and their families, although specific numbers could not be disclosed.

The government has also been working with Marymead Catholic Care Canberra and Goulburn to set up a Safer Youth Response Service, which will also begin this month.

“This service will support children and young people who are engaging in harmful behaviour by working with ACT Policing and other services to provide access to youth workers, emergency accommodation and follow-up case management,” the spokesperson said.

“This addresses an existing service gap which required ACT Policing frontline officers to stay with any person under 18 years of age where an appropriate legal guardian was not available or returning to the care of a legal guardian was not a safe option.”


READ ALSO: Backbencher’s push to override High Court decision causes concern in legal community


While the panel starts its work today (27 March), chair Dr Justin Barker commenced in his full-time role on 4 March.

He felt this new therapeutic response to young people who engaged in harmful behaviours would “help change their lives”.

“The Panel is an important kind of brains trust, a multidisciplinary team that will draw on their diverse range of expertise and experiences to develop therapy plans to best support the young people,” Dr Barker said.

It also has an advisory role to inform the government on further improving the system.

Children, Youth and Family Services Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said a lot of work had gone into designing the alternative service system focused on intervention and “sustainable” diversion from the justice system.

“The Therapeutic Support Panel isn’t just for young people under the raised minimum age. It is part of a new system that provides a different pathway for young people of all ages where a youth justice response is not in their best interests or the interests of the wider community,” she said.

“We are taking this opportunity to fundamentally reshape the way our services respond to children and young people who, through their behaviour, demonstrate that they and their families need coordinated support.”

Panel members have qualifications, experience, and expertise in social work, psychology, education, disability, and criminology, as well as working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people. Three of the panel members are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

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Two Sisters on Wheels takes Canberra favourite to the coast https://the-riotact.com/two-sisters-on-wheels-takes-canberra-favourite-to-the-coast/755906 https://the-riotact.com/two-sisters-on-wheels-takes-canberra-favourite-to-the-coast/755906#comments Wed, 27 Mar 2024 00:00:29 +0000 https://the-riotact.com/?p=755906 Food van with Two Sisters branding

Two Sisters on Wheels is proving equally as popular at Barlings Beach as it is in Canberra. Photo: Supplied.

Canberra restaurant Two Sisters has joined the popular Canberra pilgrimage: it’s headed down the coast!

After nearly three decades of serving customers in the big city, owners – and sisters – Naya and Sisouk Rajbabdith have opened a food van, which is currently stationed at Barlings Beach Holiday Park in Tomakin, south of Batemans Bay.

Two Sisters first opened in Canberra in 1996 and soon expanded, with the Dickson location opening in 1998. Naly and Sisouk took the Laos and Thai recipes they’d learned from their mother and brought them to a Canberra audience.

Naly explained that it wasn’t always easy as the sisters were early pioneers of Laos and Thai cooking in Canberra.


READ ALSO: Department of Pizza: A department Canberra can really sink its teeth into!


“When we first started it was very difficult. But we walked before we ran, and we know everyone now,” she told Region.

“Because we have been here nearly 30 years, many people know our food. Some people have been coming to us since the beginning.”

Recently, after a holiday to the South Coast, Naly’s husband suggested that the sisters could set something up in the area. They decided that a food van would be a good place to start.

In fact, they bought two vans so they could set one up in a long-term location and use the other one to travel around to various festivals, markets and events up and down the coast.

Food van with person inside.

Two Sisters on Wheels has a second van for catering and events. Photo: Supplied.

The menu from the Canberra restaurants needed to be adapted for the new space, as the van had limited facilities compared to a full commercial kitchen. Fortunately, Naly had decades of experience in knowing which dishes would be best.

“I selected our most popular dishes that I know will sell well because the van is smaller,” she explained.

“Otherwise the taste and everything is the same.”

Fans of Two Sisters’ food can expect to see their favourite laarb, chilli basil stir fry, pad Thai and massaman curry on the menu, as well as the sisters’ handmade spring rolls.

“We make them fresh everyday. Everything is homemade from scratch, we do it all ourselves.”

Two Sisters on Wheels Food van with chalkboard writing.

Two Sisters on Wheels during the bushfires down on the South Coast. Photo: Supplied.

Naly and Sisouk learned to cook in their hometown of Champassack, in Southern Laos. When they emigrated to Australia, they were eager to share the authentic flavours of Laos and Thai cooking with their new home.

Naly explained it was important to the sisters to showcase how fresh and healthy the food is, with lots of herbs and vegetables involved in the fragrant dishes: some from their own garden.


READ ALSO: What the bloody hell is ‘Australian’ cuisine?


She also says not much has changed in the 30 years they’ve been running Two Sisters, although Canberrans might be more adventurous in their eating habits now. They’ve always offered a range of spice levels and, in recent years, have made much of the menu gluten-free.

Food van with Two Sisters branding

Naly has adapted the Two Sisters’ menu for the new van. Photo: Supplied.

Naly and Sisouk see Two Sisters as an extension of their family business. Various cousins, kids, nieces and nephews can be found behind the counter at their restaurant and now the food van too. When asked if there are challenges in working so closely with family, Naly laughed.

“Sometimes we have different ways of doing things but in the end we both want the same thing,” she said. “My sister and I make a good team because we respect each other.”

Two Sisters on Wheels is located at Barlings Beach Holiday Park, 1939 George Bass Dr, Tomakin NSW. They are open for dinner from 4:30 pm daily (takeaway only) and can be booked for catering. Follow Two Sisters on Wheels on Facebook, or visit their website to view their menu or prebook your meal.

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Riotact Gig Guide (27 March – 2 April) https://the-riotact.com/riotact-gig-guide-27-march-2-april/756589 https://the-riotact.com/riotact-gig-guide-27-march-2-april/756589#respond Tue, 26 Mar 2024 23:45:47 +0000 https://the-riotact.com/?p=756589 Black Cypress band

The National Folk Festival is back this weekend. Photo: Michelle Kroll.

A Canberra institution will return when the National Folk Festival descends on Exhibition Park this weekend. The Audreys, The Cashews, Fred Smith and many, many more will step up to the dozen or so stages littered around the site across five jam-packed days of live music and entertainment.

Across town the traditional National Anti Folk Festival will set up shop in the cozy surrounds of Smith’s Alternative. Catch the likes of Andrea Kirwin, Sertra, and Wardens of Sound performing across the weekend alongside a program of open mixes and jam sessions.

Wednesday 27th

Thursday 28th

Friday 29th

man with guitar in a forest

Blooming will bring a hint of Jeff Buckley to the Old Canberra Inn and Dickson Taphouse this weekend. Photo: Supplied.

Saturday 30th

Sunday 31st

Monday 1st

Tuesday 2nd

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