2025 – That was the year that was… and here it is, month by month, through the bright eyes of the CityNews columnists – a quirky, serious, funny and sad look at the 12 months just gone. ANDREW HUGHES reflects on the election month, May… 

May 2025 was memorable in politics for one big reason – the federal election of May 3.

Labor swept back into government with 94 seats, a record for any party in Australia, and equal to that of the Coalition victory of 1998 under John Howard.

They also picked up enough seats in the Senate to only need the help of the Greens or the crossbench to get legislation through. While the result was predictable, the magnitude of it was not.

Yours truly discussed how the result underlined the importance of having policies that reflected engagement with the electorate, rather than a narrow base. 

But with the result all but certain by late April, many of our columnists in May focused more on local politics. Michael Moore did an excellent job, as always, looking at local issues, notably health and gambling ads reform, which we are all still waiting to see Labor introduce.

Social media bad, gambling ads okay seems to be the government’s message for our youth at the end of 2025. 

Moore was also perhaps one of the first to note how determined the two elected independents have been this term to not just hold the government accountable, but also draft and introduce legislation to the Assembly.

Fiona Carrick and Thomas Emerson show no signs of slowing down when it comes to this strategy, and more and more are creating a real sense in Canberra that they are as much a viable option as anyone else voters may consider in 2028 in ACT politics. 

Hugh Selby and Julie Tongs wrote separately on the state of the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC), both were critical in highlighting just how badly reforms and ongoing oversight is needed in our prison system. Here’s hoping that happens in 2026. 

As always, political columnists Jon Stanhope and Khalid Ahmed provided insightful analysis and views on the state of the ACT Budget. Currently that state is also called Victoria on our credit rating by most global rating agencies. 

I always look forward to their columns on what is really going on with the dollars in the local budget, and their impact has been noticeable for the subtle policy changes the government has made this term. Here’s to more of the same in 2026.

And in May, the KEEPING UP THE ACT cartoon strips again hit their mark. I hope to avoid ever being featured in one because, wow, they do cut deep, but in the truest forms of political satire. 

CityNews cover stories are always worth a read and May was no different. Personally, I enjoyed reading all about local workwear king Pat Seears, because I didn’t know, but certainly do now. What an amazing story and great writing by Rod Henshaw. 

Also there was Rod’s terrific cover story about Bill Shorten’s remarkable transition from cabinet minister to UC vice-chancellor.

In 2025 Shorten’s views of the sector were in stark contrast to those of other VCs and, hopefully, his thoughts on the sector needing to become less an echo chamber and more focused on engaging with the people who give it money will have an impact at the higher levels. 

Arts editor Helen Musa is always across all things thespian. Her piece on Chris Baldock’s directing of Andrew Bovell’s When the Rain Stops Falling at the Belconnen Arts Centre was a great read, followed by her stories on Love Birds, The Maids, Cezanne exhibition and Scenes from the Climate Era. 

Nick Overall, future mega star of Channel 7, had you covered for all things streaming and trashy. Tough, tough, gig that one Nick. Rest up over summer okay? 

Gardening guru Jackie Warburton had a great column about the plant that keeps rats at bay, very Canberra, very political. Missed it? Hit up the May 8 edition. Going to get a few myself for the front and back doors. 

Finally over to you dear readers. The letters section. It never fails to provide interesting insights from some very interesting people. 

Seriously, it is this section where many movements have started. And there were some great ones in May. The letters from Whitney Anders Richardson, Sue Dyer, Sue Pittman, Darryl Johnston, Ron Edgecombe, and Karina Morris all were decent reads. Many others provided contrast and perspective, which shows how engaged many of us are in the place we call home. 

To you, letterwriter, Barry Peffer, you get your wish, but better. Not just a week off politics, but months. Nothing from now until February, at least from me anyway.