Japan’s not fussed about foreigners and here’s why
As Japan’s popularity booms as a tourist destination, a new survey shows strong anti‑foreigner sentiment, writes PETER CHAI.
Opinion
Views on the news from Canberra’s top columnists
It's the annual End of Year Fail as KEEPING UP THE ACT presents the hottest, budget-time discounts in the Assembly...
One Nation politicians had some trouble explaining their own housing policy, but Pauline had an answer, says cartoonist PAUL DORIN.
"It is uncertain how many dwellings will be provided under Minister Chris Steel's new planning reforms, but it is likely to be modest," writes MIKE QUIRK.
Letters
Berry and Housing ACT are ‘out of their depth’
"Whilst I believe that heads must roll, both at government and Housing ACT level, the priority must be for a major refurbishment activity for public housing tenants with a disability," says letter writer MICHAEL DOYLE.
Opinion
It’s never wise to bite the hand that feeds you
"Newspaper columnist Janet Albrechtsen’s approach to the role of our High Court and her unjustified outrage may damage not only the development of Australian law but also her employer," says legal affairs columnist HUGH SELBY.
Opinion
On your marks, get set, go… backwards!
"When you sift through the sporting world, only two widely recognised disciplines stand out as requiring competitors to move backwards for the entire race: rowing and backstroke swimming," writes Whimsy columnist CLIVE WILLIAMS.
What to do when rents keep rising, asks cartoonist PAUL DORIN.
One can only imagine what pain Pauline's polling might be inflicting on the prime minister, muses cartoonist PAUL DORIN.
What the High Court justice did in his talk was to pull aside the curtain emblazoned with Sir Samuel Griffith's name and reveal the sad spectacle on the other side. The response was strident and personal, writes legal columnist HUGH SELBY.
"What this government is now doing is abandoning any effective control on residential densities in suburban areas… at the same time reducing standards for on-site car parking," writes planning expert RICHARD JOHNSTON.
"Minister Steel specifically stated in his announcement that the government is looking at making changes to the existing taxation regime arrangements for property." says letter writer RON EDGECOMBE.
"The bushland ring surrounding Parliament House was a central element of the original design... Any substantial intrusion into this perimeter warrants careful public examination". GEORGE WILSON has concerns about the tram route to Woden.
"Australia’s cocaine trade illustrates how strong domestic demand, exceptionally high prices and globalised criminal supply chains can sustain a resilient illicit market," writes CLIVE WILLIAMS.
What a privilege it was to have been present to hear one of the world’s great scientific gurus... pity about the venue, bemoans letter writer DENNIS MARTIN.
Another cartoon from the wry eye of PAUL DORIN.
"A quatrain is a stanza or verse in poetry that has four lines. It often follows a rhyming formula of 'couplets', 'alternating rhymes' and 'enclosed rhymes'," writes Whimsy columnist CLIVE WILLIAMS.
"A bit harsh? Alas, as at the end of 2025, only 37 per cent of surveyed Ombudsman customers were satisfied. Also telling, and dismal, is that the office aspiration is only 65 per cent." bemoans HUGH SELBY.
KEEPING UP THE ACT reveals the power of ACT Labor's Justice Warriors and how they get things done for the community! Yeah, naw!
