Views on the news from Canberra’s top columnists
"With no macropods to eat it down, it is a firebomb just waiting to go off this coming summer. This is of concern to me, as my wife and I nearly lost our house up near Farrer Ridge in the 2003 event," says letter writer IAN MacDOUGALL.
"It’s time that our feckless political leaders had the courage to share the truth instead of lies. They can make a start with housing: what’s achievable in what time frame," writes HUGH SELBY.
As Pauline Hanson outpolls the PM, Albo may well be asking for explanations, says cartoonist PAUL DORIN.
"If racial prejudice, hostility, stereotyping and assumptions can only ever travel in one direction, then we have ceased talking about racism as most ordinary Australians understand it," writes GWYN REES.
JULIE TONGS laments some of the 'concerning' local revelations in the latest report on justice from the Productivity Commission.
As Japan’s popularity booms as a tourist destination, a new survey shows strong anti‑foreigner sentiment, writes PETER CHAI.
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.
"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.
"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.
"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.
