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Lawyer loves doing the rights thing
GENEVIEVE Bolton has dedicated her 20-year legal career to helping people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Through her work as co-ordinator and principal solicitor of Canberra Community Law, she was recently awarded the Australian Human Rights Commission’s 2015 Law Award.
“From an early age I was interested in a profession that affects change and assists people from disadvantaged backgrounds,” says Genevieve.
“My parents’ marriage broke down when I was young, and my mum found herself in a situation where she was the sole carer of three kids.
“Because of my family’s experience I had a strong appreciation for the value of education and pursuing opportunities, but I also had a clear understanding of the hardships and struggles that arose from being a sole parent on a limited income.”
Inspired by a family member who was a lawyer, Genevieve was completing a law degree at Queensland University of Technology when she took a volunteer position at a community law centre in Melbourne. Working in the refugee service, Genevieve says she knew this was the type of legal practice she wanted to do.
In 2003, she joined Canberra Community Law, which provides free legal services to disadvantaged and vulnerable people in matters including housing law, social security law, disability discrimination law, and
also runs outreach services such as Street Law and the Night Time Legal Advice Service. It celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.
“Canberra Community Law is a grassroots-style organisation that emphasises early intervention through education about rights and obligations to reach people at the early stages of legal matters to avoid complex legal processes,” she says.
“Two years ago we launched a pilot program for a social worker to join our team, to provide a multidisciplinary model that recognises that our clients benefit from extra social support.”
Genevieve was instrumental in setting up the ACT’s Pro Bono Clearing House that connects people who have matters of public interest to pro bono legal assistance where they are not able to afford a private lawyer or access other free legal services. In the last 10 years, more than 300 cases were able to be
Sakyamuni Buddhist Centre
Abbot & Sangha is hereby cordially inviting the Canberra and region communities to join in celebrating the YEAR of the MONKEY.
** Buddhism Books for Free (dozens of titles to suit all ages)
** Gourmet Vegetarian Foods Stalls (monastic menu/stylist – Eat in / Take Away)
** Annual Community Dinner (all are invited): 6.30-7.30pm only
** Abbot & VIPs well wishing addresses & gifts presentation to all: 8.45pm
** Crackers & Lion Dances: 9pm & midnight
** Everyone gets a piece of NY Gift
** Celebrating the Maitreya (future) Buddha & the Year of the Monkey: 00:15am
TEMPLE OPEN DAYS:
8 to Wednesday 10, January – 6am-8pm daily.
referred for free legal assistance.
In 2010, Genevieve helped launch Canberra Community Law’s outreach service, Street Law, which sends lawyers into the community to assist those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
More recently the centre, under Genevieve’s leadership, has adopted a human rights litigation strategy, becoming the first legal body to regularly utilise the Human Rights Act in routine legal actions. This strategy has led to a number of successful outcomes in their test cases and these judgements have led to the development of human rights case law in the ACT. The matters have spanned across ACT courts and tribunals, including the Supreme Court.
Genevieve says she was in shock when she received the award that recognises those working in the legal sector who have advanced human rights in Australia.
She hopes it will help show others
the connection between law and the promotion and protection of human rights.
“There is a key and fundamental connection with human rights and community law and how it helps vulnerable people,” she says.
“I feel incredibly fortunate to have fallen into the sector through luck and found my place. A career in private practice was not for me!”
In July next year the centre faces a 30 per cent cut to its federal funding. With 13 staff, and a very low administrative component, Genevieve says that the team is constantly juggling resources and operates within a tight budget. Last year, it provided 1609 advices and worked on 214 cases.
Genevieve hopes that highlighting the importance of their work will help to create a national push to reverse the cuts.
More information or donations to canberracommunitylaw.org.au
Distribution: Richard Watson, circulation@citynews.com.au
Responsibility for election comment is taken by Ian Meikle, Level 1, 143 London Circuit, Canberra.
Well written, well read
Cover: Cabaret artist Dolly Diamond (aka Michael Dalton). Story Page 20.
Canberra Community Law’s Genevieve Bolton… “A career in private practice was not for me!” Photo by Andrew Finch
Kate Meikle reports
opinion / alcohol politics
Dangerous promise of promises
POLITICAL promises are the stuff for winning elections. With both the ACT and Federal elections looming this year, there will be plenty of promises designed to have immediate appeal.
Such promises are invariably distilled into slogans that fail to go to the root cause of the issues. And, in many cases, the community has to live with the consequences.
Consider the one-punch problem. It is a travesty that this cowardly phenomenon continues. In one of the first strikes for the 2016 ACT election, Opposition Leader Jeremy Hanson has declared the Liberals will move to increase the maximum jail term for the offence to 25 years. He cited “a problem in the community with the unprovoked, violent assaults also known as ‘coward punch’ or ‘king hit’ attacks”.
Increasing jail sentences does have some deterrent effect. However, it is minor.
On the flip side, “tough-on-crime” policies increase the size of the prison population, have little impact on preventing the problems, massively impact on budgets and provide a “school for scoundrels”.
What is needed are policies that attack the root cause of the problem. The most important of these is the widespread and ready availability of alcohol and other drugs. At least the response from Minister Simon Corbell showed some attempt to deal more appropriately with the issue. He said the government was focusing on prevention and addressing alcohol abuse in the community. “The government’s response is not grandstanding on penalties. It’s about a focus on improving our liquor licensing laws to reduce and prevent the harm in the first place,” he said.
Compared to other jurisdictions, the ACT Labor Party has been at the forefront of reforms around alcohol-related violence. But there is a long way to go. Will a major political party ever be prepared to really seriously take on the incredibly powerful
Prof Kypros Kypri, of Newcastle University, has demonstrated through his own study in Newcastle (and by reference to similar
Compared to other jurisdictions, the ACT Labor Party has been at the forefront of reforms around alcohol-related violence. But there is a long way to go.
studies around the world) the impact on street violence of setting closing times at 3.30am with a 1.30am ban on new clients in an establishment.
In a study he published in the prestigious international journal “Drug and Alcohol Review”, it was revealed that by changing the closing times from 5am to 3.30am, there was a third reduction in serious violent incidences.
There was a commensurate reduction in treatment in emergency at the local hospital.
Others estimate the impact would have been much more considerable had the closing time been reduced to 2am. However, although Prof Kypri makes very clear that a series of changes, including a restriction on “shots”, worked together, the real difference was earlier closing times. In a piece on “The Conversation” website, he states categorically: “Earlier closing times, or at least stopping alcohol sales earlier, is the key to preventing assaults”.
The other opportunity to grab headlines in an election year is to blame the “Ice epidemic” and call for tougher measures, more police and greater penalties.
At least the Federal Liberal government has recognised that dealing with the causes is more effective than harsher penalties.
Only a couple of months ago the Assistant Minister for Health, Senator Fiona Nash, announced a serious focus on treatment rather than spending even more on policing.
Of an overall expenditure of $285.2 million, she set aside the lion’s share ($254.5 million) for treatment.
A comprehensive approach based on harm reduction is the most effective way of dealing with both alcohol and illicit drugs. Australia has fared well when the approach includes all three elements: supply reduction, demand reduction and harm reduction.
Prohibitionist policies, tough-on-crime approaches and simple slogans may make good politics in an election campaign. They have an immediate appeal. But like so many simple, straightforward solutions to complex problems – they simply do not work. Often they exacerbate the issue. However, the danger is that they do have the potential to improve chances at an election.
The ACT is a sophisticated electorate. Let’s hope that as many of the candidates as possible standing for the 25 seats for election on the third Saturday in October this year, offer a more thoughtful approach than many of those seen in previous elections.
Michael Moore was an independent member of the ACT Legislative Assembly (1989 to 2001) and was minister for health.
The sobering face of alcohol
I LOVE a drink as much as the next man, depending on who that next man is of course.
I enjoy a drink, usually at home four nights out of seven, which is why I thought it was an interesting call from the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education to get me to front their national video, which attacks the alcohol industry.
When they called, I said yes because I think this country needs to give serious thought to its relationship with alcohol.
The whole gist of the video we made here in Canberra was that the alcohol industry has a bunch of “super consumers” that they market to ferociously. From a business sense, this isn’t remarkable at all; if you have a set of consumers who tend to purchase lots of your product it makes commercial sense to pitch your messaging to them.
The problem is that alcohol isn’t like most other products, because excessive consumption leads to all manner of problems. Problems for the individuals and for the community as a whole.
In the FARE video, we went to the Phillip swimming pool to try to illustrate how much alcohol Australians drink each year. According to the latest stats, we consume about 39 Phillip swimming pools of grog each year….99 million litres of pure alcohol.
The total figure isn’t the one that rings the alarm bells here. What shocked me most in the making of the FARE video were the stats on just who is doing the drinking.
Ten per cent of our population consumes more than 50 per cent of the drink at the table. Drill the figures down further and you discover that five per cent of our population, around a million Australians, are drinking on average eight standard drinks a day.
These are the super consumers… and the alcohol industry loves them. FARE wants the alcohol industry to admit that these people have a problem and to stop trying to force their product down their throats.
Good luck with that.
So who are these super consumers?
Based on pure mathematics we have around 15,000 of them in our town… more than the sellout crowd at Manuka Oval last week. If you want to meet them, come out into Civic at 2am on a Saturday. Or if you’re not that brave, just step into the emergency room at Canberra or Calvary Hospitals between midnight and 5am on Saturday.
So many of the violent incidents in our town stem from this abuse of alcohol.
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Phone 6154 8711 or email cansopp@gmail.com if you have any questions.
(The School of Philosophy is a not-for-profit organisation)
Jeremy Hanson. Simon Corbell.
FELIX SOFA SHOWN IN PREMIUM KING FABRIC
INTERSEX
QUEER (LGBTIQ) MINISTERIAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
ACT Minister for Community Services, Ms Yvette Berry MLA, is seeking nominations for the ACT Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer (LGBTIQ) Ministerial Advisory Council.
The ACT Government is committed to Canberra as a socially and culturally inclusive community that celebrates its diversity and supports LGBTIQ Canberrans.
The Council provides an opportunity to discuss and provide advice to the ACT Government on Government policies, programs, services and processes. The Council also makes recommendations to Government on current and emerging issues affecting LGBTIQ people.
Members will be selected for their expertise and experience in issues affecting the LGBTIQ community and their networks. Nominations are invited from both individuals and people representing organisations associated with LGBTIQ groups.
Application packs can be found at: www.act.gov.au/lgbtiqadvisorycouncil
For further enquiries please contact the Secretariat on 02 6207 2343 or email LGBTIQCouncil@act.gov.au with “LGBTIQ Council Application Package” in the subject line.
APPLICATIONS CLOSE 31 MARCH 2016.
lowbrow
When what’s hot’s not so
SOMETIMES, as we grapple with the world of information technology, it’s nice to look at someone else’s struggle; and think to ourselves: “Thank God that’s not me”.
Recently, I’ve been watching my girlfriend’s struggles with some interest.
Some time ago I decided that paying the Apple tax was worth a quiet life where things mostly worked.
To lay out my tech credentials, I would note that in days gone by I have hand-built computers, taken an angle grinder to components to make them fit in the box, and installed free software operating systems with custom-coded and compiled kernels. Perhaps because of this experience, I like paying extra for Apple products and when things go wrong I walk into the Apple store and a nice person fixes the problem or offers me a solution at a price.
My girlfriend, on the other hand, likes to spend hours online researching the hottest new things.
When her previous Android phone died she identified the best-specced phone at the best price, a snappy LG
cool?
The Internet is the first thing that humanity has built that humanity doesn’t understand.” – Eric Schmidt
unit, overseas model, from an Australian online retailer.
As with all new phones, it was pronounced the best phone ever.
When I had a problem with my iPhone charging, I heard no end of praises and hosannas to the robust and open Android ecosystem.
Then I walked into the Apple store. A nice person took my phone out the back to clean the charging port, and came back five minutes later having fixed my problem, this despite having bought the phone from Optus and not from Apple. It’s their phone and they fix it, in this case, for free.
I thought this was pretty impressive compared to messing around with voicemail services and couriers, and phone bank operators frantically misreading scripts in the third world.
Around this time, the praises for the LG phone dried up.
And then, finally, she cracked.
“It’s crap,” she shrieked, as various chips in the unit (bluetooth, wifi) ceased to function.
After a long and confused conversation with LG, the phone was dispatched via courier.
My old android phone was brought out of retirement while she waited to hear from LG and I was most annoyed to discover that with a
software update its microphone was working again (the reason I’d gone back to Apple).
This was a temporary reprieve as she proceeded to smash the screen of the loan phone to pieces by repeatedly slamming my car door on it.
LG then attempted to call her to talk about her phone but were unable to get through, because she had no phone.
In extremis she bought a $29 retro phone which makes calls and does text and nothing else. She’s basically travelled back in time to 1995.
LG then announced that, as it was an overseas model phone, it’s none of their business. She has to pay them to courier the broken phone back to her so she can send it to the Australian online retailer, who may or may not do anything about it. All the while, all her friends and family are leaving her behind in Candy Crush Jelly.
Meanwhile, her new Hewlett Packard desktop computer keeps crashing from what might be a dodgy video card, she’s still googling that fault.
From the warm, safe, functional space of the Apple ecosystem I’m trying hard not to be too smug. Really trying to keep my head down.
John Griffiths is the online editor of CityNews.com.au
JOHN GRIFFITHS
briefly
Patron of the trees
FORMER Chief Minister Jon Stanhope has been appointed the inaugural patron of the National Arboretum Canberra. In this voluntary position he will promote the Arboretum’s vision and masterplan as well as communicate awareness and understanding of the Arboretum. Nominations for the newly created National Arboretum Canberra Foundation’s board close on Friday, February 12. More information at nationalarboretum.act.gov.au
Gardening identity dies
WELL-KNOWN in the Canberra gardening community and a respected horticulturalist, Merylyn Condon has lost her battle with cancer. She was part of the 2CC weekend “Garden Gurus” team for seven years before retiring 12 months ago to battle her illness.
Dawes opens up
DAVID Dawes, Land Development Agency CEO and Director-General, Economic Development, will address a free public forum on “Urban Renewal – A partnership with the community” at Albert Hall, 6.30pm, Tuesday, February 16. Hosted by Friends of the Albert Hall Inc, the public is invited to attend and ask questions to Mr Dawes about planning and development issues.
A view of Dame Patti
GINA Hall will speak about Dame Patti Menzies at the Weston Creek VIEW (Voice, Interest & Education of Women) Club’s first lunch meeting of the year at the Southern Cross Club, Woden, 11.30am, Tuesday, February 2. Visitors and new members are welcome. Call 6281 3110.
Barr reshuffles in the hope of coming up trumps
SO, this is what the start of an election year looks like.
First, Chief Minister Andrew Barr reshuffles the ministerial deck, dropping a faded queen and replacing her with a pair of trumps (or so he hopes).
He didn’t have much choice. Joy Burch had passed her use-by date; but Aboriginal Chris Bourke, a former discard, and Meegan Fitzharris, a bright, young Kiwi, were the only available replacements. Nevertheless, they should at least give his ministry a much needed fresh look.
Next, he attempts to finesse the Opposition’s attacks on the Gungahlin tram by rebranding its Northbourne Avenue route as a glamorous “Gateway” to the capital through a series of “Urban Villages”. They will be “places to live, work and play,” he said, “with new employers, new retail, new cafes, new services and new urban parks’. Sounds like a few shopping centres with blocks of flats and playgrounds
The really big news for a community swept up in the travel cult was that from September, Singapore Airlines will fly Canberra to Singapore and Wellington four times a week.
– but with a description worthy of Utopia. However, the really big news for a community swept up in the travel cult was that from September, Singapore Airlines will fly Canberra to Singapore and Wellington four times a week. And while the airline has taken a purely business decision, Barr has certainly played an important role in developing relations with our Asian neighbours.
THE Feds, too, are off to the polls this year, so PM Malcolm Turnbull was quickly out of the blocks with a visit to our forces in Iraq and Afghanistan where the former Oruzgan province is being taken over by a resurgent Taliban. Then it was on to Washington for a cosy chat with President Obama and perhaps more importantly, his odds-on successor, Hillary Clinton Malcolm said that while there should be more “boots on the ground” in Iraq, they would definitely not contain Australian feet. And despite the growls from the direction of
Warringah there was an audible sigh of relief across Australia, not least from the Special Forces where a PTSD backlash is producing calls for a taskforce to seek out the sufferers, many of whom are living a rootless existence in their cars… to the anguish and despair of their families.
SPEAKING of the SAS, there are units in Africa who immediately began weighing the odds of a physical attempt to free Dr Ken Elliott and his wife Jocelyn when they were kidnapped by Islamist fanatics in Burkina Faso. Their situation was too terrible to contemplate… and after 40 years’ devoted service to their African community.
THE Turnbulls have become Canberrans as the newly refurbished Lodge took in lodgers for the first time in more than two years. The question is whether they will take any active part in the ACT elections. Probably not, is the consensus round the traps. But either
ROBERT MACKLIN
way, the “Turnbull factor” will give Lib Leader Jeremy Hanson and his team more wind in their sails than the “Abbott anchor”.
WHEN the beleaguered former Speaker Bronwyn Bishop finally received her marching orders from PM Tony Abbott , the self-proclaimed billionaire, Clive Palmer, memorably chortled: “Bye, bye, Bronwyn, bye, bye…” After recent financial revelations surrounding his PUP and Queensland Nickel, the good lady would be forgiven for returning the compliment. I suspect she would not be alone. robert@robertmacklin.com
opinion / aboriginal health
Out of sight, out of mind and out of order
RECENTLY, the Federal government released the Implementation Plan for the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2013-2023.
The plan is designed to achieve health equality for Aboriginal people by 2031, consistent with the COAG health targets adopted by all governments in Australia.
Earlier this year, the latest COAG “Closing the Gap” report revealed that only marginal gains have been made in the seven years since the targets were agreed by all governments.
In fact, the report notes that of the seven agreed targets only two are likely to be met and that three of the seven are not even on track to be met.
The Australian Medical Association, in its 2015 Position Statement on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, confirms the slow progress in closing the gap in life expectancy for Aboriginal people and of “the stubbornly
In Canberra, while less than 2 per cent of the population is Aboriginal, more than 25 per cent of all children in care and protection are Aboriginal.
high levels of treatable and preventable conditions, high levels of chronic conditions at comparatively young ages, high levels of undetected chronic conditions and high rates of co-morbidity in chronic disease.”
There are regular reports on the condition of Aboriginal communities and people from all round Australia in our newspapers and on television and radio.
However, the majority of the reporting is focused on remote and rural communities.
We see relatively less reporting on the circumstances of city dwelling, urbanised Aboriginal communities such as the one that is very much part of the fabric of our city.
I am sure that most Canberra residents would be surprised to know that there are between six and seven thousand Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in Canberra.
I feel equally sure that most residents would not be conscious of the circumstances in which many Aboriginal people in Canberra live or of the social, economic and health indicators pertinent to them.
We have, as a prosperous city with a relatively highly educated and wealthy citizenry, managed to very successfully disguise disadvantage and hide our poor and underprivileged out of sight and consciousness.
The reality is that a significant cohort of the Canberra Aboriginal community lives in poverty and leads lives that reflect in their health status and in other ways, including all of the most disturbing of the social and health indicators affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people throughout Australia.
We find, therefore, that here in Canberra while less than 2 per cent of the population is Aboriginal, more than 25 per cent of all children in care and protection are Aboriginal.
Attendance rates of Aboriginal children in year 10 in ACT government high schools are low and actually declined in the last year to the point where an Aboriginal child in year 10 missed, on average, three days of school a fortnight.
People of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage make up 25 per cent of the prison population and assuming a level of non-disclosure of Aboriginality it is possible that, at times, up to 30 per cent of the inmates at the
Alexander Maconochie Centre… it is possible that, at times, up to 30 per cent of the inmates at the Alexander Maconochie Centre are Aboriginal.
Alexander Maconochie Centre are Aboriginal.
In Australia, an Aboriginal woman is 34 times more likely to be hospitalised as a result of a criminal assault than a nonAboriginal woman and 11 times more likely to be killed.
Across the full range of health indicators Aboriginal people in Canberra disclose the same persistently poor health outcomes.
It is, of course, to be hoped that this latest plan to achieve health equality for Aboriginal Australians will succeed. To be fair, it is detailed, comprehensive and has had the benefit of substantial input from the indigenous community and there is certainly a great will for it to succeed.
However, articular challenges that the
Canberra Aboriginal community continually faces are firstly, to have its very existence recognised and acknowledged and, secondly, to have decision makers and funding agencies at an ACT and Commonwealth level understand that its needs are no different than the more high profile and visible communities whose needs are regularly featured in our media. It is one thing to have a plan, but it will not succeed if it is not universally and equitably implemented.
Jon Stanhope was Chief Minister from 2001 to 2011 and represented Ginninderra for the Labor Party from 1998. He is the only chief minister to have governed with a majority in the Assembly.
the ugly suburbs / mum in the city
Will promises run to pavements?
On all too many occasions I’ve found myself flat on my proverbial thanks to one of the gaping cracks that pervade the footpaths in Canberra’s older suburbs.
IN this election year the ACT’s politicians will be making all sorts of promises.
They’ll be talking about the big issues –the light rail project, the state of our hospitals and the quality of education in our schools. Hopefully, they will offer some imaginative and compelling visions for the future of our wonderful city. At the same time, I hope that they are equally attentive to some of the less high-profile things that are important to the quality of life and, indeed, safety of many people. Much of the business of making a city like Canberra function isn’t big picture stuff; rather it’s the prompt attention given to all those practical things from fixing malfunctioning traffic lights to ensuring the storm water drains aren’t blocked and the rubbish is collected on time.
I was recently reminded of the importance of little things by an accident that befell a friend who while jogging tripped and sustained a painful and complex injury to her hand.
The cause of the accident was clear – a piece of ageing concrete pavement had been lifted
by tree roots. Despite being a hazard on a well trafficked footpath the broken pavement had been left unfixed for many years.
I know this experience all too well, though fortunately without as severe or painful consequences. On all too many occasions I’ve found myself flat on my proverbial thanks to one of the gaping cracks that pervade the footpaths in Canberra’s older suburbs. I admit I’m a notoriously clumsy person with weak ankles and poor co-ordination, but cracks, sometimes gaping holes and uneven footpaths don’t help.
I wrote about this problem in this column nearly five years ago: “Footpaths often seem to be regarded as optional extras in the Bush Capital... I have lived in areas where footpaths suddenly peeter out on you or where they just don’t exist at all... Sometimes pushing a pram along the footpath can seem more like negotiating a combat assault course even if you have forked out for the cross-country three wheeler with bull bar, snow chains and fog lights.”
I do note that the Department of Territory and Municipal Services now has a more extensive footpath maintenance program than they did five years ago. But my own experience, and that of many friends, leaves me in no doubt that this still requires greater priority.
I’ve been walking a lot around Tuggeranong in recent months and found the experience
the ugly suburbs / letters
Hazard of the morning walk… now would be a good time for the ACT Government and our politicians to move footpaths higher up the priority list.
just as hazardous as on the decrepit footpaths of the inner north and south. Broken drain covers, cracked and broken pavement were all in abundance.
I know footpaths aren’t very sexy. Politically footpaths don’t stack up against big new projects, bold initiatives and grand visions. But walking is healthy and definitely to be encouraged. So just maybe now would be a good time for the ACT Government and our politicians to move footpaths higher up the priority list. And maybe those of us out walking should be a bit more proactive in reporting any hazards, which you can do online via tams.act.gov.au/roads-transport/ Road_Infrastucture_and_Maintenance/communitypaths
Then we would all be more encouraged to get out and about without tripping up.
Neglected Civic is ‘beyond redemption’
I AGREE wholeheartedly with Cedric Bryant’s letter regarding the move of the vistors’ centre to Regatta Point. Totally illogical, no parking etcetera, but clearly designed to make more of Northbourne Avenue available for apartments.
Sorry Jane Easthope, CEO of CBD Limited; Civic is beyond redemption. Dirty, graffiti covered, broken everything, shops empty, a parking nightmare, appalling pop-up nonsense. Just wait until the no doubt interminable construction (hopefully not) of the light rail starts and it will become a total ghost town and unlikely anyone will return. Vibrancy, huh!
And then there is Constitution Avenue redevelopment now in its third year. Recently in China they demolished a bridge and completely installed a new one in 48 hours!
Roger Allnutt, Deakin
Keep kids safe from snakes
AS a new resident to Gungahlin, I totally agree with the two letters in “CityNews” (December 17: “Ashamed of Canberra’s appearance” and “Ratepayers deserve more”).
This is despite promises by ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr in May of a further “$7.754 million provided to allow more frequent mowing, weed control, tree maintenance and cleaning of bus stops, lakes and ponds.” (His media release, May 22).
While mowing along arterial roads has noticeably improved, those Gungahlin residents like me who use the extensive pathways through our suburbs are yet to see any improvements in mowing along recreational and barbecue areas which abut streams and ponds.
Snakes are known to inhabit these long-grass environments. The dangers that snakes pose to children playing there needs to be considered with urgent mowing and weeding of all approaches to streams and ponds.
While I understand that the natural state of these wetland areas should be maintained as much as possible, this is not just a matter of conservation or tidiness and pride in our neighbourhoods, but public safety.
Name and address withheld on request
Stupid to move visitors’ centre
I HAVE just read Cedric Bryant’s letter (CN, December 24) about moving the tourist centre to Regatta Point.
I heartily agree with him re the stupidity of the location. It should stay where it is, on the main road, visible to travellers down Northbourne at 60kph. Chief Minister Andrew Barr seems to have very strange ideas about lots of things in Canberra, but he is a politician, what can I say?
Marg Woodhams, Braddon
Scruffy streets, lack of care
I agree wholeheartedly with the letters “Ashamed of Canberra’s appearance” and “Ratepayers deserve more” (CN December 17).
For years I have been emailing and writing about this government’s total lack of care for anything other than Parliament House and tourist attractions.
The treatment of an inheritance can have a significant impact on negotiating a property settlement with a former partner. Much depends on whether you have already received the inheritance or whether you are expecting to receive a future inheritance
If you have received an inheritance prior to separation, the likelihood is that it will be treated as part of the asset pool available for division between you and your former partner. This may not be the case, however, if you received the inheritance on behalf of someone else or you no longer have the inheritance at the time that you are negotiating a property settlement as you have spent it, lost it or given it away. You would need to provide evidence in support of your case. In a recent Federal Circuit Court decision of Owen & Owen [2015] FCCA 2823 the Judge did not accept the evidence of the Wife that she had inherited money on behalf of her children. The Judge found that she had chosen to gift $305,000 of the $428,000 she had inherited to her children after separation and that the children did not have any legally enforceable entitlement to the money.
The surrounding suburbs are littered with old cars, shipping containers, parked trailers and caravans on nature strips.
The parks are immaculate – the ratepayers’ streets, a totally different thing.
Roy Larcombe, via email
Land sales top tourist dollars
CEDRIC Bryant is spot on with his letter (CN, January 14, “Tourists welcomed by Barr’s barmy ideas”).
Northbourne Avenue land sales dollars do seem to take precedence over having any regard for tourists to Canberra, despite oft quoted rhetoric about how important they are to our local economy.
Cedric nails it re caravans – can you imagine “trailer homes” trundling along through Civic, twisting their way to Regatta Point and then finding a spot in those postage-stamp carparks?
Like Cedric and no doubt numerous Canberrans, I have always been well served by strategically positioned, central information centres around Australia and overseas. The big question is – do opportunistic, one-off land grabs really benefit our city in the long run?
One hopes, if common sense could prevail, that tourist dollars will be everlasting and increasing? Sadly, like so many, given the ACT government’s apparent philosophy, I have little faith in the Chief Minister even listening to any alternate view ?
Len Goodman, Flynn
If you are expecting a future inheritance, the property you are expecting to receive cannot be treated as part of the asset pool available for division between you and your former partner but it may be considered as a financial resource available to you under section 75(2) of the Family Law Act 1975. Relevant considerations are the age and state of health of the testator, whether they have capacity to change their Will and the size and nature of the potential inheritance.
What if you receive it after separation?
It may still be treated as part of the asset pool available for division between you and your former partner if you have not formalised a property settlement. This is particularly so if it was received soon after separation and there was still an intermingling of assets or contributions being made by either of you to the benefit of the other, including caring for any children of the relationship.
What can you do to protect a future inheritance from a claim?
Formalising a property settlement as soon as possible will give you peace of mind as it severs your financial ties and will prevent your former partner from making a claim on your assets. It is important to obtain legal advice early on, to enable you to make informed decisions about your options. For more information contact our office on (02) 6225 7040.
Pitfalls of chasing Utopia, according to Hugh
EVERY era has had exceptional people who have the clear mind, as well as the gifts of good speech and excellent writing skills that enable them to view and express observations of the society they find themselves in with great clarity and understanding.
Hugh Mackay is one of these exceptional people.
He is well known throughout Australia as a social researcher, commentator and as a prolific author of fiction and non-fiction books on social psychology and ethics.
Over the years I have read most of Prof Mackay’s books on social psychology and came across his book “The Good Life”, a while ago. His work has struck a chord with me before, but this book told me that I really wanted to talk to the person behind these ideas. We met for coffee near his home in Exeter, in the Southern Highlands.
In his most recent books, “The Good Life” and “The Art of Belonging”, Mackay discusses striving for a Utopian ideal of life in which instant gratification and perfection of lifestyle are the goals of our increasingly materialistic society.
Australia is the second highest consumer of anti-depressants in the world, after Iceland. So what is going wrong?
Utopian visions of a perfect life may well be a symptom of infantilism, which was the starting point of our meeting. Infantilism refers to the maintenance of infantile, childlike characteristics and behavioural traits into adult life. Mackay points out a number of these traits:
• Our birth rates are falling.
• We fail to accept old age, death and the maturation of our bodies by removing body hair, especially from the genitals to appear as prepubescent children.
• We increasingly desire to escape reality via drugs, alcohol, media or internet.
• Women strive to remain physically like their children and children stay with the family for longer periods well into adulthood. With infantilisation the focus of the individual remains on the gratification of the self, rather than focusing on others and the “common good”. Infantilism leads individuals to believe they will find utter happiness if they reach a goal: much like a child that believes that all its happiness will be attained once it has gained the possession of a certain toy.
Mackay sees the current combination of an infantilised society with a materialistic society as very damaging. He questions the entrenched belief that ultimate happiness will result from the pursuit of satisfying the self, gaining material goods and achieving an imaginary perfect life.
The statistics on how happy people are today seem to indicate that he is right. According to OECD statistics, Australia is the second highest consumer of antidepressants in the world, after Iceland. So what is going wrong?
Obviously we are missing something in our quest for self-fulfilment and happiness. According to Prof Mackay it is the fact that although we are competitive as individuals, we are also at the core a very social species.
The latest computer, smartphone or even the biggest TV screen are not a substitute for normal human-to-human contact.
All this is juxtaposed by the sharply increasing population, forcing people into closer and closer proximity to each other. As there are more of us in smaller areas, we become more defensive and unable to interact while at the same time craving the very thing we are running from.
HEIKE HAHNER
• Shift your focus from “who am I?” to “who needs me?”
• Treat other people the way you want to be treated.
What are Prof Mackay’s recommendations for a happier society?
• Most importantly, participate in your community.
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This may be as simple as joining a book club or the local choir. Being part of a smaller social group and contributing to society even in the most basic way makes people feel more positive about themselves, other people and their lives in general.
Prof Hugh Mackay… sees the combination of an infantilised society with a materialistic society as very damaging.
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back to the future
Day awards
Snubbed by summer stampede Locals honoured in awards list
“HALF a dozen miles from Queanbeyan is the centre practically of the Federal capital, the city of our dreams... One fails to understand, now that the city is in the making, why ambitious Australians do not flock to this part of the country during the season…”
So lamented “The Daily Telegraph” of 1915.
And now, as it was 101 years ago, rather than “tread the plains ... [of] pretentious Parliament Houses, Government offices, and artificial lakes” during our parched summers, Canberrans actively desert the place, hurriedly passing through that hamlet only a few miles hence “where dwell some of the most homely and hospitable people on God’s good earth”, for their annual pilgrimage to the south coast.
Never mind the beauty of a natural watercourse that feeds said lake, once so filled with trout there were plans to market Queanbeyan as a fisherman’s paradise; nor do the escapees heed the allure of that almost unheard of entity in the Capital Territory, the country town pub.
Instead, genera-
tions before them (a few anyway), they beetle down the main thoroughfare, casting nary a sidelong glance at gaily adorned shopfronts primping and preening their wares, trying to inveigle the “tourists” to spend a little of their time and public-service dollars.
The siren song luring them coastside is too strong.
Come the summer and the exodus is almost biblical; in days of yore, traffic would be gridlocked all the way over Queanbeyan’s old timber bridge, half way back to Canberra in one direction, in the other, round the old dog-leg into Macquoid Street and off into the azure distance where the sea shore beckoned.
The travellers largely resist Queanbeyan’s delights; made easier when that dark time in Canberra’s past, Prohibition, came to an end and later, too, when the smaller city’s stranglehold on poker machines could no longer be maintained.
The sun, the sand and the escape from all things political calls them ever onwards to Batemans Bay, Moruya and Ulladulla.
Indeed, there remain those so devoted that the idea of January without a visit to the coast is no holiday at all.
Perhaps though this may have been why many government officials agreed to be posted from Melbourne in 1927. The new Federal Capital did, after
Cars exit Canberra in the ‘60s… holiday traffic would be gridlocked all the way over Queanbeyan’s old timber bridge.
all, boast its own sea port from which Australia’s naval might could be launched. Alas, it remains somewhat more distant than most expect: Jervis Bay, in fact.
So as this annual tradition continues, when essentially the ACT is relocated to the south
NICHOLE OVERALL
grumpy
coast for almost a month each year, might the politicians need to reconsider that those original 910 square miles ceded to create the heart of our nation were not enough after all and a boundary adjustment a little further southwards might be in order? With a detour around Queanbeyan, of course.
Nichole Overall is a journalist and local historian based in Queanbeyan.
Not the cats, it’s the people
By Myriam Amar
THE Greens’ obsession that if cats are not kept indoors they will kill all small creatures around their immediate environment is simply not a true picture.
Well-fed and cared-for cats do not usually venture away from the comforts provided by owners. The real predators are the foxes and the snakes, including the uncaring humans who have mercilessly over-exploited the plants’ resources, ruined the natural environment and generally behaved as the “plague species” par excellence.
Other predators are the developers, which for reasons other than moneymaking profit have removed trees, bushes, digging deep into the earth to make way for new suburbs.
As a result, hundreds of former native wildlife, left without shelter and food, have since died of starvation or
THE director of the Australian War Memorial, Dr Brendan Nelson, and former AFP commissioner Tony Negus have been appointed officers in the Order of Australia in the Australia Day list.
The conductor of the Canberra Symphony Orchestra, Dr Nicholas Milton is now a member of the order and Sumalee Milne, who runs a charity school in Thailand, has been awarded an OAM.
Other locals honoured include:
COMPANION (AC) IN THE GENERAL DIVISION
Prof Chennupati JAGADISH, O’Connor: For eminent service to physics and engineering, particularly in the field of nanotechnology, to education as a leading academic, researcher, author and mentor, and through executive roles with national and international scientific advisory institutions.
OFFICER (AO) IN THE GENERAL DIVISION
Mr Andrew (Drew) Leigh CLARKE PSM, Turner: For distinguished service to public administration, to communications and energy policy initiatives and reform, and to the spatial information industry.
Emeritus Prof Peter David DRYSDALE AM, Aranda: For distinguished service to Australia-Asia trade and economic relations, particularly with Japan, to public policy development, to education, and as a mentor of young economists.
Prof Henry Isaac ERGAS, Kingston: For distinguished service to infrastructure economics, and to higher education, to public policy development and review, and as a supporter of emerging artists.
Emeritus Prof Ann Margaret HARDING, Kingston: For distinguished service to education in the field of applied economics and social policy analysis, as an academic, researcher and author, and to professional organisations.
Dr Peter Anthony HOLDSWORTH AM, Wanniassa: For distinguished service to veterinary science, particularly to animal parasitology and pharmaceutical development, and to professional scientific organisations.
Prof Warwick James McKIBBIN, Deakin: For distinguished service to education as an economist, particularly in the area of global climate policy, and to financial institutions and international organisations.
Tony William NEGUS APM, Australian High Commission, Ottawa, Canada: For distinguished service to public administration, particularly through senior law enforcement roles, to governance reform, and to national and international inter-agency counter-terrorism co-operation.
Dr Brendan John NELSON: For distinguished service to the Parliament of Australia, to the community, to the advancement of Australia’s international relations, and to major cultural institutions.
Prof Susan Mary STOCKLMAYER AM, Weston: For distinguished service to science communication and education through the development of academic outreach programs and public awareness initiatives, both nationally and internationally.
MEMBER (AM) IN THE GENERAL DIVISION
Mr Joseph Michael FORSHAW, Amaroo: For significant service to ornithology as an author and researcher, and as a contributor to a range of wildlife conservation organisations.
Ms Jackie FRENCH, Braidwood: For significant service to literature as an author of children’s books, and as an advocate for improved youth literacy.
Dr Nicholas Christopher MILTON, Sydney: For significant service to the arts, particularly to classical orchestral music performance, as a musician, conductor and artistic director.
been killed by motorists.
Along highways, one can often see dead kangaroos and wombats who, in their quest to find green pasture, had encountered busy traffic.
Equally, it is sad to see that a few years ago possums could be seen in trees at night. Destruction of the environment has displaced countless wildlife drastically reducing their numbers.
Bird nests are a rarity given the number of trees being cut down and birds cannot find suitable nesting sites.
Instead of blaming cat-owners, the ACT government should quickly and swiftly introduce a new legislation to stop humans engaging in further destruction of the native wildlife of the ACT.
Grumpy is an occasional column dedicated purely to things that get up your nose. Readers are invited to vent (no more than 300 words, please) at editor@citynews.com.au
Mr Philip Stanley MOSS, Deakin: For significant service to public administration, particularly in the areas of law enforcement integrity, anti-corruption and human rights.
Mr Mark Harman THOMPSON, Canberra: For significant service to science as a satellite communications engineer through program management and design.
MEDAL (OAM) IN THE GENERAL DIVISION
Ms Diana ABDEL-RAHMAN, Narrabundah: For service to the community through a range of multicultural organisations.
Ms Margaret BLAKERS, ACT: For service to conservation and the environment.
Ms Maureen Patricia HARTUNG, Braddon: For service to education, and to the community of the ACT.
The late Mrs Marie Emma LENON (WEF February 3, 2014), late of Hughes: For service to floral art.
Ms Patricia Joy McCABE, Chisholm: For service to veterans and their families.
Dr Maureen Ann McCLUSKEY, Bruce: For service to medicine and to aged care.
Ms Sumalee Anne MILNE, Thailand: For service to the international community through initiatives in South East Asia.
Mr John James SEALEY AFSM, Queanbeyan: For service to the community, particularly through a range of veterans welfare groups.
Dr Rashmi SHARMA, Isabella Plains: For service to medicine, and to professional organisations.
Mr Arthur Chrisus TOW, 34 Campbell: For service to the community through volunteering roles.
A need for better support for victims of violence
I WOULD like to pass on thanks to John Griffiths for his column “When love gets violent” (CN, January 14). In August 2014, I went to the ACT Magistrates Court and obtained a Domestic Violence Order against my husband. The events of a long-standing physical and emotionally violent relationship were obvious; there were pictures and eyewitnesses. There was also a diagnosed mental illness. I later applied for and received a second DVO. I have not gone back to my marriage since. What I was not prepared for was the attitude of well-meaning mutual friends. For example, one friend, a Catholic with a long-standing stable marriage, asked me when I told him of the court order whether the children and I would have been better off remaining in the marriage. He later agreed to act as a character witness for my ex in court if required, and still mentors him in a community services club. He told me that he felt my ex needed a male role model, a friend, to help him through the separation and make sure he didn’t go off the rails. He is an extremely nice person and so his actions hurt me more than he would ever realise.
It is one thing to say that violence is wrong. Everyone agrees with that statement. The question is: what do we as a society actually do about it when we know it is occurring? How do we best support the victims, whether or not they identify themselves as such or not? What do we say to alleged perpetrators? Do we, as in the example of my friend above, lend an open ear and be there for support to perpetrators? Are we prepared to say that we believe that violence is wrong? What messages are we saying to victims? Are we consciously or unconsciously judging them for leaving a marriage?
My own experience has been that there is very little support for women leaving violent marriages. I have a good public service job so I am not eligible for welfare or legal aid support. The first six months were extremely
difficult. My children were clingy and needy, I felt overwhelmed by full-time work and forms and paperwork, I was lonely and my sense of worth and self-esteem were fragile. Some days my ability to cope was touch and go.
In contrast, I found that my ex got a lot more support, at least initially. He stayed in the same church, he stayed in the same service club and, not being encumbered by kids, was able to socialise.
The support he received was positive in that it meant he did not self harm, turn to substance abuse or treat our children badly. But around eight months after separation he alleged in the Family Court that, contrary to his earlier statement on oath, the violence never happened. Did the role of mutual friends lead to this? I don’t know. All I DO know is that there needs to be much more work done on victim support and research into appropriate messaging for alleged perpetrators.
Serina Huang, via email
Parking fee shock
I WAS appalled to be charged $8 for 1 hour 25 minutes by Wilson Parking at the New Acton carpark. I think it’s outrageous and abusive of Canberrans on their part. I just fail to see how the ACT government gave the green light to this unscrupulous operator.
Attorney General, Mr Corbell, should move in and fast.
Phil Munro, Bruce
Signs of frustration
COLUMNIST Robert Macklin’s welcoming of the “terrific” idea of Federal Tourism Minister Richard Colbeck (Seven Days, CN, December 17) to add signs in Chinese around city streets and major institutions should not be news to the ACT Government.
In late 2014, the Association for Learning Mandarin in Australia (ALMA) wrote to Kathy Leigh, of the Chief Minister’s directorate, floating the idea of Canberra becoming a China-friendly city.
Kathy expressed interest and asked one of her deputies to meet us.
Our proposal was significantly wider than attracting more Chinese tourists, though that was a key element. We proposed a long-term strategy designed to attract to the ACT more Chinese secondary and tertiary students and more Chinese business links.
Chinese signage was proposed as an effective, though fairly cheap component. ALMA pointed out that having to compete with Australia’s major capital cities gives it a massive challenge, with numbers of Chinese tourists visiting the ACT reported to be dropping.
We proposed a consortium of interested bodies to collaborate to make a visit by Chinese tourists happily memorable. Street signage, signage in the major shopping malls and major buildings in Chinese, large interactive tourist maps in Chinese (and other languages) placed around the city, phones at the information desks in shopping malls connected to Mandarin speakers (using volunteers drawn from the large pool of Chinese students in Canberra).
We met Ms Leigh’s nominee, who listened with polite lack of interest and the idea presumably died. It’s been frustrating since then to learn of other cities with greater vision, more dynamic government vigorously chasing the Chinese market.
Canberra has the physical environment and educated population to be the most dynamic city in Australia. Andrew Barr is open to ideas, but his team need invigoration.
Len Waugh, Association for Learning Mandarin in Aus
Griffiths nails the argument
I WISH to congratulate John Griffiths on his easy-to-read, plain English eloquent article “Mullah Abbott wags a dangerous finger” (CN, December 17).
I have no doubt John’s view is shared by the overwhelming majority i.e. millions of Australians. It is a shame that ever so many people around Australia will not get the pleasure of reading John’s article.
Name and address withheld on request
Reader wags a finger
ISLAM allows for a man to say to his wife, “I divorce you,” then the woman is divorced. Of course, it is a very different story for a woman wanting a divorce. She has to jump through hoops.
The situation in Europe discloses how “progressive” Islam is in relation to male-female relationships. Islam requires that Islam should triumph over other religions (Koran 48:28) and that Muslims must be in a position to enforce Islam’s teaching on what is right and wrong (Koran 3:110).
When the Muslims take over in Australia and impose sharia law, which is their aim, we can look forward to much “progress”: polygamy, floggings, chopping of hands and heads, just like we observe in “progressive” Islamic Saudi Arabia.
I recommend columnist John Griffiths (“Mullah Abbott wags a dangerous finger”, CN, December 17) reads “Heretic: Why Islam needs a reformation now”, by Ayaan Hirsi Ali, before he puts pen to paper again in relation to Islam.
John Farrands, via email
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No better time to resolve to put yourself first
THERE’S no better way to kick-start 2016 than making a commitment and investment to your well-being, fitness and health. Here are some special ways you can find a “new you” this New Year.
Giving a girl the right gym
“GIVE a girl the right gym and she can conquer the world,” is the message that the team from Fernwood Fitness is shouting from the rooftops this summer. Fernwood Fitness is Australia’s largest, full-service, women’s-only gym. Many women join a gym to lose weight, but that’s just the beginning, says Fernwood Fitness. When health and fitness is under control, it radiates for the better into every other aspect of life.
Fernwood says new members will become part of a group of likeminded women and will receive $300 of vouchers to help kick-start their fitness journey. For a limited time there is no joining fee and new members will save $199.
Fernwood Fitness at Belconnen, Civic, Gungahlin, Tuggeranong and Woden. Visit fernwoodfitness.com.au
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Time to discover martial arts
MARTIAL arts are a great way to get fit and a lot more enjoyable than working out on your own. There is no better time to get started than the new year, says head instructor of Kodokan Cummings Karate Dojo, Reece Cummings.
The Kodokan Cummings Karate Dojo is in its 7th year and is the only full-time karate school in Gungahlin.
The school offers programs that focus on developing fitness, confidence, co-ordination and reflexes, self discipline, respect and effective self-defence skills.
“Karate is suitable for any ages from six years and we have separate classes for adults and children as well as options for parents to train alongside their kids,” says Reece.
“Karate is not just simply a form of physical exercise, it is a way to continue to grow one’s self through training the mind and body.”
Reece holds a 4th degree black belt and is an internationally qualified instructor who has trained extensively in Japan, and is supported by a team of assistant instructors. Classes are small with the aim to provide students with the highest quality of instruction of martial arts and self-defence.
“All programs offer two free lessons, so contact us today to try your first class,” says Reece.
information at KarateCanberra.com.au
FAST NEWS
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“We also offer a suite of lifestyle classes, including yoga, to help you take the spa experience home with you,” says Bianca. Weekly Dru Yoga classes are suitable for anyone, any age and any body and are held from 6pm-7.30pm on Tuesdays.
Jindii Eco Spa, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Clunies Ross Street, Acton. Bookings to 6257 8777 or visit Jindii Eco Spa’s Facebook page.
EVERY DAY A FREE bulletin of the day’s Canberra news, views, arts and socials from our digital desk to your email address every weekday at 4pm. Subscribe at citynews.com.au
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Meghan focuses on losing weight
MEGHAN Walker admits she was in a bad place in her life when she joined Curves as a teenager in 2011.
“School was hard, I got bullied about my weight and was really down on myself,” she says.
“When I met the owner and trainers at Curves Wanniassa, they really helped and pushed me on the circuit. With the motivation and support from them, I was more focused than ever to lose weight so I could feel happier within myself.”
Meghan began doing three or four workouts at Curves every week on a program of supervised circuit exercise. Meghan says that with the help of Curvessmart computerised fitness coach, Curves personal trainers and the knowledge of the Curves Complete program, she learnt what she needed to do to lose the weight.
Meghan says she now feels happier than ever having lost 14.3kg and is now working at Curves as a trainer.
“I was once a person too shy and embarrassed to walk into a gym, if I could shout out to everyone: ‘Give Curves a go!’ I would.”
Curves is at Gungahlin, Weston, Wanniassa and Belconnen. For information about the best Curves membership to suit you call 1300 287837 or visit curves.com.au
Meghan Walker, above, before joining Curves and now, right, having lost 14.3kg.
Canberra Confidential
Far, far away…
“A LONG time ago in a galaxy far, far away, there was a dream, a dream of a man who had too much time on his hands…” and so the diatribe begins and continues about Russall S. Beattie, who had the idea of creating a burlesque show from “Star Wars”, to wit “The Empire Strips Back, a Star Wars Burlesque Parody”.
And with the latest movie iteration, he’s opportunistically dusted the idea off for “Episode VII”, taking the classic “Star Wars” characters and dropping them (and presumably their pants) into the world of burlesque, which will grace the Canberra Theatre stage on February 20.
Thou art very creepy
IN the shadow of more mass shootings in the US, the Sporting Shooters’ Association of Australia has deigned to “give the gift of knowledge” to the nation’s media and lawmakers in the form of its creepy “A Journalist’s Guide to Firearms and the Shooting Sports”.
Apparently, it’s a “must-have for those tasked with reporting or speaking about firearms-related topics, specifically written for those who may not have handled a firearm before”.
On Page 58, the publication makes a stomach-flipping virtue of being a sponsor of the Boundless Canberra playground: “The SSAA wholeheartedly supports Boundless Canberra in its initiative to provide a recreational outlet for children of all abilities – a mindset which is consistent with the association’s philosphy of giving everyone a fair go.”
But the stand-out is the arrogance of the association’s “10 commandments for journalists” where scribblers are urged, among nine other directives, to “get both sides of the story to avoid sensationalising the firearms debate”. We’ll do our best; now where’s the bin.
Our time, says Shane
IF you wondered what Shane Rattenbury did over the summer break wonder no more: the ACT Greens leader spent the time doing a lot of thinking about the October election and getting “so excited about what we can achieve together,” he writes in an Americanstyle tin rattler to the party faithful.
He says “this is our time” and that they’re “ready to go” with a campaign aimed at getting “more Greens elected to the Assembly, keep the Liberals out and get a Green elected to the Senate”. Not a disparaging word for his Labor besties, you will note.
Apparently they “must” raise $10,000 by the end of the month, but if they don’t?
Environmentally unfriendly
THIS discarded placard was spotted recently in the bushes near the National Archives by a public service snout on her way to work. “So much for the environment, she sniffed.
THE gift of rain… the water in the “pond” near the tent embassy inspired reader Mike Welsh as he
by to capture this delightful shot of Old Parliament House.
Young and restless
HILARIOUS! In a sniffy “memo to media”, the Australian Monarchist League’s Garth Leggatt writes that “we are getting fed up with the way in which the media portrays us as old fogeys and assumes that we are led by Prof David Flint who has nothing whatsoever to do with our young and vibrant organisation.”
He goes on to bag out the esteemed prof as being “the convener of Australians for Constitutional Monarchy, which many of us view as a semi-republican organisation as it espouses what they call a ‘crowned republic’ and denies the Queen her rightful place as our sovereign head of state.” “Most of our members are young Australians anxious to retain the security of our system of constitutional monarchy,” he says.
“We would appreciate your not misleading the general public and, in future, kindly desist in identifying us wrongly. We are Australia’s largest member-based monarchist organisation and one which is led mainly by young people.”
sashayed
scene / around canberra
At Australian of the Year Awards, Parliament House
Julia Franklin, Micheal Peel and Roger Hausmann
Helena and Angelos Zaris with Serena Kelleher
Joan Harmer, Kaitlyn Jakobasic, Danielle Rechtin and Rachel Tunney
Laura and Sarah Barr
Melissa Byron, Megan Smith, Andrea Mackay and Lizzie O’Connor
Mary Porter MLA, Ian de Landelles, Rev Prof Elizabeth Mackinlay and Adie Price
Christine Nolan, Ita Buttrose and Kate Macdonald
Gayana and Nipuni Wijewickrema – ACT Young of Australian of the Year 2016
Malgaorzata Hryniak and Katarzna Giera John Miller and James Willson Kristy Williams, Zac Lockhart and Nick Pedley
Maria Alejandra Vlek, Michelle Landry MP and Michael Keating
Suzi and Francis Owusu Blair Ewart and John Player
Well, hello Dolly
COVER STORY
By arts editor
Helen Musa
“I’D like to get away with a little bit of murder,” cabaret artist
Dolly Diamond’s alter ego Michael Dalton tells “CityNews” by phone from Melbourne, “but the secret is having a go at the audience without murdering them.”
Dolly/Dalton will be performing here at The Famous Spiegeltent in early March, part of a glittering line-up of artists, and they don’t glitter more gaily than Dolly. Praised for her extraordinary singing of familiar songs, she isn’t quite Dame Edna Everage, but declares him/herself one of the Dame’s greatest fans, describing her as “one of the best of the best”.
“I considered Dolly to be a cabaret act rather than a drag show,” he asserts, “a worldly woman whose motto is ‘que sera, sera’ and who likes talking about herself rather than dispensing advice… she goes to the next level from just being a bitch.”
An Australian resident since 2009, Dalton knows Canberra well, as Julian Clary’s backing act some years ago, and is also familiar with the Spiegeltent, where he played for three nights recently in the Andrews Sisters’ show “The Bugle Boys”.
A showbiz babe since the age of 14, Dalton was a child-actor in “Oliver!” on the West End, later touring with “The Rocky Horror Show” around Europe.
Like Edna, he says: “I am lucky to have that knack of finding a willing victim in the audience, but there are odd occasions when I’m wrong, so I move on bloody quick.”
The Famous Spiegeltent may sound as European as Marlene Dietrich, but ours (there are
Cabaret artist Dolly Diamond (aka Michael Dalton)... “a worldly woman who likes talking about herself rather than dispensing advice… she goes to the next level from just being a bitch.”
many) has a strong Canberra flavour, too.
Owned by impresario and former Canberran David Bates, who used to run late-night cabarets with “CityNews” theatre reviewer Joe Woodward, this beautiful old Belgian “mirror tent” was last in Canberra for the Centenary celebrations at the Senate Rose Garden at Old Parliament House.
In a moment of nostalgia mixed with business acumen, the director of the Canberra Theatre, Bruce Carmichael, persuaded Bates to pitch his tent in Civic Square and hired a co-producer to fill it up with snazzy musical and cabaret acts.
That producer, Douglas Hunter, is also an old Canberran who lived here during the ‘70s and early ‘80s and ran a club in Phillip, later becoming a promoter of big concerts at Bruce Stadium featur-
Matt calls again for new music
By Helen Musa
CLASSICAL guitarist Matt Withers is again running his Australian Music Composition Competition, culminating in a recital at the National Arboretum in November.
ing the likes of Johnny Cash and Rod Stewart. Hunter moved to Melbourne to manage Aussie bands, then later to England where he now lives, producing small festivals and taking acts to Edinburgh. He ran into Carmichael at the Sydney Festival and the pair hatched the idea of a large-scale pop-up showbiz extravaganza to begin the theatre’s 2016 subscription season.
Hunter tells “CityNews” he knows all about the ACT’s rules and regulations for putting such shows on, but he also has a degree of knowhow about our local scene, engaging top artists from the Canberra diaspora such as Mikelangelo and the Black Sea Gentlemen and George Washingmachine, together with contemporary local performers such as Fred Smith, Shortis and Simpson and Chrissie Shaw.
The showpiece, selling stupendously well, is the central showcase of magic, dance and acrobatics packaged as “La Clique” that’s been running in the Spiegeltent for 12 years. But he knows that “La Clique” is “really for people who don’t see a lot of theatre and love the razzmatazz of 80 minutes with aerialists, dancers and magic”.
That’s why he’s programmed darker, more intimate, risque late-night cabaret shows from people such as Dolly and Yana Alana (Sarah Ward) as well as high-profile national acts, including Robyn Archer.
With an average of three stand-alone shows a day at 6.30pm, 8.30pm (“La Clique” ) and 10.30pm, there will also be an outdoor bar and eatery designed to feed and water patrons and to lure unsuspecting Canberrans who might like to buy in or simply sit around and schmooze.
“Dolly Diamond, alive and intimate”, 10.30pm, March 3. “La Clique” and all Spiegeltent shows, February 19-March 14, at bookings to canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 2700.
Revamped to become an open-age competition for Australian residents, the competition has the support, as an adjudicator, of Australian composer Robert Davidson, head of composition at the University of Queensland. A bassist who has performed chamber works with artists such as John Williams, the Brodsky Quartet and Ensemble 24, Davidson tours internationally with Topology.
As well, Artworks, Canberra Classical Guitar Society and Rick Falkiner’s Guitar Centre, ArtSound and Sydney’s New Music Network are chipping in with more than $2500 in cash, prizes and in-kind support.
Withers, who will perform the winning compositions at the Arboretum on November 13, is a member of Australia’s premier guitar quartet Guitar Trek.
Inaugurated as a personal venture in 2014, the project, Withers says, brings together his love of art and music. Entries must be based thematically on Sunshine Coast (and Canberra-raised) artist Sue Needham’s painting “Forest”, appropriate to the Arboretum setting of the winning performances.
First prize will be $1000 cash sponsored by Withers and a framed copy of “Forest” valued at $700 for an original musical composition for solo classical guitar.
Second prize is $500, third prize is $250 cash, and the Emerging Composer Prize (Under 25 years
of age) is $250 cash, sponsored by Withers. Each prize also includes a performance featured in the National Arboretum recital by Withers, a recording of the work and feedback from adjudicators if requested. Withers is a busy musician. He’ll be performing “Concierto de Aranjuez” by Joaquin Rodrigo and “The Antarctica Suite” for guitar and orchestra by Nigel Westlake with the National Capital Orchestra on Sunday, March 20 at The Q. His interest is primarily in helping to continue the growth of Australian guitar music but “CityNews” has discovered that Withers and his wife are also showcase ballroom dancers, a rare combination with classical music.
Matt Withers Australian Music Composition Competition 2016. Entries close June 30 to MattWithers.com.au/ Composition Competition or inquiries to matt.withers.guitar@gmail.com
and music.
Sue Needham’s painting “Forest”... inspiring composers.
Guitarist Matt Withers… bringing together his love of art
arts in the city cinema Sydney fetes director Sinclair
By Helen Musa
CONGRATULATIONS to Iain Sinclair, recently named Best Director of an Independent Production at the Sydney Theatre Awards for his staging of “Of Mice and Men”. Sinclair is one of the rare former Canberra theatre stalwarts to acknowledge the city that gave him his experience.
CANBERRA artists are seen far and wide. Canberra sculptor Rosalind Lemoh has just raised $4000 in a crowdfunding venture so she can accept an invitation to exhibit this month at ArtRooms London 2016. As her supporters wrote: “Funding for local arts organisations in Australia has been drastically cut in recent years and what is available does not favour the contemporary art scene.”
LOCAL artist-scientist Eleanor Gates-Stuart is now a professor at the National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan. “Broken Windows Theory” is her first exhibition showing now with masters students in Techno Art; computer programming, industrial and graphic design, science and arts, curatorial practice, and digital holography.
MEANTIME, dancer-choreographer James Batchelor is sailing on the CSIRO Investigator to remote regions in the Southern Ocean, undertaking research for a new work premiering in 2017. Invited by the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, he is supported by the
Australia Council for the Arts and the ACT Government.
POPULAR local folk-pop band Pocket Fox will launch its first feature-length album, “The Brightest Light”, with a family friendly garden party in the East Courtyard of Gorman Arts Centre at 7pm on February 6. Expect fairy lights, a stage under a tree, grass underfoot and loads of atmosphere. Tickets at the door.
STEVE Brown is re-branding his Bespoke Framing business at 8 Townshend Street, Phillip, to become Canberra Artworks with an arty carnivale featuring belly dancers, 10am-4pm on Saturday, February 6. All welcome. The space will house galleries, workshops, glass, framing, gifts and even performances. Brown wants to make it accessible to all artists and can be contacted at 0432 116264.
JAZZ at the Gods Café in the ANU Arts Centre resumes on Tuesday, February 2, with the Sydney hard bop sextet Hammerhead playing a tribute to Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. Bookings to thegodscafe@gmail.com
BELCONNEN Arts Centre is open with “College Express 7”, its popular showcase of artwork by more than 100 students from the North Canberra region. There’s still time to cast votes in the People’s Choice award, supported by Ray White Belconnen, which offers one student the chance to win $500. The show closes on January 31.
Tarantino
“The Hateful Eight” (R)
ARRIVING amid a blare of publicity to offset its reported production cost of $US60 million, Quentin Tarantino’s second Western and eighth feature runs for 168 minutes, except in cinemas still able to project 70mm film, where it might run for 187 minutes (apparently to play an Ennio Morricone overture from 1982).
On a snow-clad Wyoming plateau (actually filmed in Colorado!), a distant black speck develops into a stagecoach that stops in the foreground where a trio of frozen corpses blocks the road.
The coach is under exclusive charter to carry bounty hunter John Ruth (Kurt Russell) to Red Rock where the hangman awaits prisoner Daisy (Jennifer Jason Leigh). Having shot his exhausted horse, bounty hunter Marquis Warren (Samuel L Jackson) wearing the dress uniform of a Union cavalry major needs a lift for him and the bodies so the sheriff in Red Rock can authenticate before paying bounties on them.
Weather stops the coach at Minnie’s Haberdashery, some hours drive from Red Rock on a good day. Sheltering from the blizzard, a bunch of disparate characters played by a talented cast, few immediately
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recognisable behind forests of unkempt whiskers, tells the arrivals Minnie has gone to care for her sick sister on the other side of the mountain, leaving a Mexican to mind the store.
“The Hateful Eight” takes no prisoners. By the time the closing credits start, dead bodies are making messes all over Minnie’s floor. Tarantino’s screenplay makes no allowance for sweetness or light.
There’s a bitter dispute about sharing the bounty money when they reach Red Rock. Perhaps a decade after the Civil War ends, battlefield enmities are alive and well.
Wallowing in gunfire, vituperation, mendacity, venality and other behaviours that continue in our day to blight American society, the screenplay tears shreds in the little behavioural niceties that movies use when they need to depict a sweeter, kinder, more traditional view of America. Cynical to the max, appallingly entertaining, unexpectedly credible, this is not such a view.
At all cinemas
“The Danish Girl” (M)
LUCINDA Coxon’s screenplay, based on David Ebershoff’s novel, tells the story of a man in a happy marriage to a talented artist whose forte was erotica.
Tom Hooper’s filming of it is many things, delivering an informed, sympathetic and achingly
confrontational treatment of a psychological, emotional, even in our era scarcely understood condition involving a person’s gender self-perception. Transgender involves a body of one gender that its owner perceives to belong to the other. Roughly 90 per cent of transgender people are born male but feel themselves to be female, 10 per cent are born female but feel themselves to be male. Even that oversimplifies; much of the time such a person feels himself to be somewhere between the two. This information comes from a close friend who for eight years has lived in a satisfying relationship with a female-to-male transgender person.
Watching Eddie Redmayne progressing from Einar Wegener to Lili Elbe and Alicia Vikander, as his wife Gerda, accompanying him on that perilous journey, the surgical implications of such a case in the 1920s troubled me. The film refers to them without graphical emphasis.
If the long-term implications form the film’s backbone, the story of love tearing two people apart provides its flesh and blood. Screenplay, staging and performances do the material great respect and affection. The depiction of period is charming; the fashions are lovely.
In September, “The Guardian” described Gerda as “the Lady Gaga of the ‘30s”. She survived Lili by only nine years. Her strength and her talent matched, even surpassed, Lili whose courage in confronting an unhappy reality was considerable. The film depicts their last years together with regret and respect.
At Palace Electric, Event 6, Dendy and Hoyts Belconnen
Folk-pop band Pocket Fox… launching an album.
Rosalind Lemoh… off to London.
Iain Sinclair… best director.
Samuel L Jackson as bounty hunter Marquis Warren in “The Hateful Eight”.
takes it to the max
Aloha to lots of local hibiscus
THE mere mention of the word hibiscus conjures up images of Hawaiian hula girls with flowers behind their ears.
These sorts of tropical hibiscus certainly grow in our northern climes, but not in the colder southern areas. However, for that tropical feel around the pool, there are three varieties of hibiscus that will grow here. They all love the sun and flower at different times of the year.
Hibiscus moscheutos, often called the hardy hibiscus or Mallow Rose, is in flower now as this photo of the most common variety “Southern Belle”, demonstrates. It was taken in our friend’s garden in Yass.
A vigorous, sturdy multi-stemmed plant growing to two metres, its flowers are similar to hollyhocks. Native of the mid and southern states of North America, another common name is Swamp Hibiscus as it thrives in very wet ground although it will grow well in hard ground with little watering. There used to be a great display on the nature strip in front of the old Embassy Hotel in Deakin. Mostly the flowers are red; however recent crosses with other hibiscus
are resulting in other colours.
THEN there are native hibiscus, with 62 endemic species, most of which grow in the tropical north. The native Alyogyne huegelii or Lilac Hibiscus, despite being indigenous to SA and WA, grows very well here up to two metres, with brilliant lilac flowers up to 12cm in diameter in spring and summer.
LASTLY, Hibiscus syriacus, or Rose of Sharon, can be seen growing in many district gardens. Originally from Iran and the Middle East, it is not known when it was introduced into Western gardens but has been grown in Britain since the 16th century.
A deciduous shrub or small tree with more than 40 named varieties including a few that are usually readily available such as Hibiscus “Blue Bird” with large pale blue flowers; “Ardens” has pale rosy-purple flowers with maroon blotches at the base and “Aphrodite” with deep pink flowers and a deep red centre. There are single and double-flowering varieties. This hibiscus flowers in the autumn, although in recent seasons it seems to flower in late summer. Flowering occurs in the new season’s wood, so a winter prune is recommended to promote new spring growth.
MOST English lavenders have finished flowering and it is time to give them a good haircut, just past the base of the flowers. These dead
flower heads have virtually no fragrance and are unsuitable for making pot pourri or sachets. For this, I suggest planting two areas of lavender; one for the general flower garden and the other for cutting.
The time to cut for the ultimate fragrance is just as the flowers start to open in late spring/ early summer. Despite the romance of French lavender, English lavender is the variety mainly used in the French perfume trade. French lavenders generally flower late winter/early spring in Canberra.
IT’S wise to be familiar with the “Bushfire Survival Plan”, available from ACT Shopfronts. This particularly applies to all gardens, especially because many native plants are very flammable with volatile oils and easily burst into flames.
Jottings…
• Nip out the centres of chrysanthemums and reduce the height of Asters or Michaelmas daisies and salvias, even if they have buds or show signs of flowering. This doubles the number of shoots promoting more flowers for a great autumn display for both these plants.
• Don’t overwater tomatoes; a deep watering once a week is sufficient provided they are well mulched. Water at the base, not over the leaves.
• Dead-head agapanthus flowers once flowering is finished to prevent seeds developing. Consider planting sterile agapanthus that does not set seed.
Hibiscus “Southern Belle”... thrives in very wet ground although it will grow well in hard ground with little watering.
Hibiscus syriacus… A deciduous shrub or small tree with more than 40 named varieties.
Native Lilac Hibiscus… grows very well here up to two metres, with brilliant lilac flowers.
Joanne Madeline Moore
ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)
You’re impatient to make some snappy decisions this week Rams but resist the urge to be too blunt. If you blurt out something inappropriate today, you may regret it tomorrow! Think things through before you speak and realise that your first thought isn’t necessarily the best one. The more you try to control others, the more woeful the weekend will be. You’re keen to impose your ideas on loved ones, but maybe they’re not buying what you’re selling?
TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20)
The focus is on improving partnerships (whether of the romantic, platonic or business variety) as you kick-start a stale marriage or freshen up a long-term friendship. It’s also a wonderful week to envision your dreams for the future, formulate your goals, plus consolidate any travel plans you have in the pipeline. But you must be flexible and realise that current situations are in a state of flux, and the plans you make now may need to be altered at a later date.
GEMINI (May 21 – June 21)
The week starts with a rush as the Mercury/Uranus square revs up your motor and speeds up your mind. But – if you are in too much of a hurry you could make a messy financial mistake, or upset the applecart with a ridiculously rash statement (either in person or online). The week ends well when the Mercury/Jupiter trine boosts your spirits and stimulates your study gene. With the power of positive thinking on your side, you can climb any mountain and sail any stormy sea.
CANCER (June 22 – July 22)
Mars and Pluto help you view a problematic partnership in a deeper and more profound way. With a few strategic tweaks, the relationship can be turned around and transformed. You’re also keen to show loved ones how much you really care. Avoid being too overprotective though. All relationships need room to breathe and there’s a big difference between loving and smothering. Be inspired by birthday great, writer Charles Dickens: “A loving heart is the truest wisdom.”
LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)
Stimulating conversation and careful research are the keys to a pleasantly productive week. But are you bored to bits with your domestic situation? Has your home life become too rigid and routine? Mars is charging through Villa Leo so get ready for changes and hold on tight. And your fiery temper, or an impulsive outburst, could set the cat amongst the pigeons on the weekend. The current situation is complex, so calm down and try to keep a sense of perspective.
VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22)
The stars favour being proactive and making connections with others, especially involving work projects. But don’t be too quick to say exactly what’s on your mind. And avoid making impulsive financial decisions – take the time to think things through. Curiosity is high on the weekend so add some variety to your usual routine. If you have an ongoing problem that’s got you perplexed, try a completely different approach. Utilise your vivid Virgo imagination!
LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)
Avoid the temptation to make hasty financial decisions, as impulsive money moves could land you in a heap of debt over the next few weeks. So avoid window shopping and internet browsing, which could lead to a spontaneous spending spree. Friday or Saturday is the time to nurture and feather your nest as you clean, tidy and decorate home and hearth at Villa Libra. When your domestic environment is sorted, then you can cope better with relationship matters and work issues.
SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)
When communicating with others on Monday, stick to the facts. Otherwise you’re likely to blurt out something silly that you immediately regret. On Wednesday, Mars and Pluto intensify your need to communicate with others. So it’s a good day to express your feelings in person or via a timely post, text or tweet. But come the weekend, you need to relax your Scorpion-like grip on something – or someone. If you try to control everything, then it’s going to be a stressful weekend!
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)
You’re keen to get your point across on Monday but strive to communicate clearly and slowly – otherwise you’ll be misunderstood. If you are organised and enthusiastic mid-week, then you can catch up on unfinished business. It’s also the time to make positive connections, as you communicate with movers and shakers. On the weekend you’re in curious mode and are keen to travel or learn something new. But resist the urge to be wasteful with cash and careless with credit.
CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)
Whatever you do, you’re in for the long run. But, if something isn’t working out, don’t be afraid to change horses mid-stream. Mercury and Venus (in your sign) encourage you to be flexible and adaptable, as you compromise and negotiate with heaps of Capricorn class and style. The stars also put you in the mood to nurture and reward yourself with some of life’s little luxuries. Whether it’s gourmet food, fine wine or prestige personal-care products, it’s time to pamper yourself to the max!
AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)
With Uranus (your ruling planet) squaring Mercury and then squaring Venus, you’re apt to make some hasty half-baked decisions this week involving work and/or relationships. Don’t worry too much if you make a messy mistake though. As birthday great James Joyce reminds us: “Mistakes are the portals of discovery” as we live and learn through the choices that we make. On Sunday, spend some quality time on your own so you can slow down, calm down and re-calibrate.
PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)
This week, make sure you surround yourself with positive people who boost your confidence and encourage your dreams. But avoid getting drawn into discussions about money or politics, as misunderstandings are likely. It’s a wonderful weekend to network with family and friends in a variety of stimulating ways. You have much to learn from a loved one who has a wealth of knowledge and life experience to share with you. There’s always something new to learn!
Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore
astrology updates at twitter.com/JoMadelineMoore
General knowledge crossword No. 533
Dan and Libby came in to see me about concerns with their Pay as You Go (PAYG) tax payments.
“I was expecting to receive the second instalment of PAYG tax from you but we haven’t, so we checked myGov website, which said that our next PAYG instalment is $3500,” said Dan.
“This is the same as the last one and you said that it should be less.”
I told Dan and Libby that PAYG was calculated on their taxable income of the year before and it was adjusted when lodging a subsequent income tax return provided that an assessment has not issued.
Down
1 What do we call a disorderly noise disturbance, or fight?
8 What tends to prove or disprove something?
9 Which element occurs in a pure state as diamond?
10 Name the water that comes from a particular bore.
11 What is a public way, or road?
13 Which other term describes a supervisor?
16 Name one of the English Channel Islands.
19 What do we call a progenitor?
22 What is the shape of the moon in its first or last quarter?
24 To bring in merchandise from a foreign country, is to do what?
25 Which Australian state is known as the “Apple Isle”?
26 Which relatives are the daughters of one’s siblings?
Sudoku hard No. 166
2 Which type of dinner was once common of a Sunday?
3 What was an overseas telegram known as?
4 What do we call members of the upper house of parliament?
5 To have been surrounded, is to have been what?
6 What is an official enumeration of inhabitants?
7 What is a stanza of eight lines?
12 Which term describes a part played by an actor?
14 Name the nationality of the film actor, Omar Sharif.
15 Name the largest of the salt lakes in South Australia.
17 What is a violent and noisy disturbance?
18 What is a summary of one’s work experience?
20 Name the monetary unit of India.
21 Which term describes that which relates to Norway?
23 What are indefinitely long periods of time?
“So, until you lodge your 2015 tax return, your PAYG is based on your 2014 income,” I told them.
“The calculation method taxes you on income that has not been taxed at source. At the end of the first quarter the amount payable is 25 per cent of the calculated amount, at the end of the second quarter the amount payable is 50 per cent of the calculated amount, at the end of the third quarter it is 75 per cent of the calculated amount and at the end of the fourth quarter if is 100 per cent.
“The impact of this depends on whether your income has increased or decreased over the previous year and the timing of lodgement of your return relative to the issue of the quarterly instalment notices by the Australian Taxation Office.
“This year they have been issued early so, although you have lodged your income tax returns, the assessments were issued after the instalments. As you have paid two instalments at the higher rate your third instalment will allow a credit for the extra amount paid.
“If the instalments as calculated are too high, the law allows you to reduce your instalment based on an estimate of your income for the current year.
“However, this requires certainty in your calculations as penalties are charged if you make a mistake and reduce the instalments too much. Because of the potential penalties and the figures that you have provided, I recommend that you don’t reduce the instalment now but we can re-examine it in quarters three and four.”
Turning to the myGov website, I told the couple that it was a new program and it has been causing difficulties when clients register and ticked the box asking for tax notices.
“Notices are then sent through myGov directly to taxpayers and, while they are supposed to be notified to registered tax agents, in my experience and that of most other accountants, we do not always receive them,” I said.
“We have been advised that the ATO is working to fix the problems that this program has caused, but it is a few months away from being sorted out.
“So you can expect communication difficulties with ATO notices over the next few months and if you are registered for myGov you will need to check it regularly to confirm whether or not you have mail and you may need to contact us more often for clarification of that mail.”
Libby thanks me for giving them a clear picture and promised to return at the end of quarter three when, together, we will estimate their year’s trading figures.
If you need information on your instalments or any other tax-related matter contact the friendly team at Gail Freeman & Co Pty Ltd.
