Views on the news from Canberra’s top columnists
"We must cross our fingers that Linda Reynolds retains an advocate who excels at cross-examination. Perhaps it will be our court-watchers’ Christmas present from Albo’s team fro 2026." Legal columnist HUGH SELBY sees gifts all around us...
"How often have you seen the victims win a revolution, then become worse than the original oppressor? How often have you seen someone vanquish a school bully then become just as toxic themselves," asks Kindness columnist ANTONIO DI DIO.
Tracing stolen property using tracking apps comes with complexities when the police get involved, says Whimsy columnist CLIVE WILLIAMS.
"How do the reforms overcome the obstacle of missing middle projects providing fewer opportunities for economies of scale than higher-density projects? To date the projects have provided high-end, not affordable housing," writes MIKE QUIRK.
KEEPING UP THE ACT drops in on the Labor Princesses gathering for the Emily's List Christmas party...
"Karma comes around," warns letter writer CLAIRE EAMES, of Holt, to thieves who have taken her husband Tom's garden sculpture – "a pretty lowdown act to steal from elderly people".
"Put simply, the US plan would have had as much credibility if it had been written in crayon." MATTHEW SUSSEX explains how the Trump administration tried to sell Ukraine a diplomatic debacle.
The KEEPING UP THE ACT Property Group is seeking pre-determined feedback on the exciting redevelopment of Big Splash!
"Kids and adults will be forced to give up their indoor sports competitions. How can such well used and valued assets be ripped away from the community they have served? Shame ACT government, shame!" says letter writer DIANNE DEANE.
"Does Sussan Ley truly believe that she’s acting in the best interests of the Liberal Party? Is she hoping that her bravery in the face of such cruelty, will somehow turn the tide?" asks columnist ROBERT MACKLIN.
"James Bond’s codename, '007', is universally spoken as 'double oh seven'. Calling him 'double zero seven' or 'zero zero seven' wouldn’t have the same smooth, stylish rhythm," writes Whimsy columnist CLIVE WILLIAMS.
Guess who's running the Canberra Liberals this week? Standby for change!
"Raised voices destroy the bliss. He is yelling. She is whimpering. There they are. She is on the ground and he has just kicked her. It’s quite obvious." What do you do, asks columnist HUGH SELBY, writing from Tokyo.
"While densifying is an appropriate goal, the Scentre Group has to establish why developments of up to 55 storeys are appropriate. Extending the rhetoric, why not 100 storeys," asks planning columnist MIKE QUIRK.
Mark Parton has to transform his disparate party room into a cohesive opposition, develop a suite of policies that resonate with the electorate, then sell it to the voters. A tall order, says letter writer, IAN DE LANDELLES.
Cartoonist PAUL DORIN senses the opposition leader's relief at sorting out the net-zero policy, but still...
The public scandal involving the former Prince Andrew has been a tragedy for all concerned, not least in creating a schism between King Charles and his younger brother, say ROSS FITZGERALD and DICK WHITAKER.
No more jobs for mates, vows the new Public Service Minister Katy Gallagher on a mission to clean up the culture. Then she calls for a report... oops.
Cartoonist PAUL DORIN wonders if the Opposition Leader is feeling any pressure right now.
