Minister for Economic Development Andrew Barr has released the ACT Government’s Business Development Strategy which is focused around growth, diversification & jobs. This is a real plus for Canberra and builds on strengths in areas such as information technology, education, tourism and cultural & creative industries. Initiatives include: Cutting payroll tax Creating a Red Tape [...]
Regional Development Australia Funding Round
The Expressions of Interest for the 2nd round of Regional Development Australia funding have been released with three ACT projects put forward: Snowy Hydro SouthCare Fund – Snowy Hydro SouthCare Fund Building Territory and Municipal Services – Canberra Avenue Bus Priority Measures and Cycle Lanes West Belconnen Health Cooperative Ltd – Focused Aged Care Primary [...]
ACT Open Government Website
Just a quick plug for the new ACT Government website released this week that will help people obtain access to information and engage with the government. There is a link to the Community Engagement site which provides a snapshot on the various activities going on around the Territory, and a great feature where Cabinet summaries [...]
Territory Rights Bill passes the Senate
Yesterday the Territory Rights bill – the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Amendment (Disallowance and Amendment Power of the Commonwealth) Bill 2010 – passed the Senate with some telling discussion from a range of Senators. Senator Kate Lundy opened proceedings, foreshadowing minor amendments and suggesting: “…the purpose of this bill is to remove the power of [...]
Territory Rights a step closer
The Federal Labor caucus yesterday agreed to support the bill before Parliament for the ACT & NT to be able to set their own laws without the threat of executive repeal. This is an issue I have been actively campaigning on for a long time – the causes group I started on Facebook has attracted [...]
ACT Government Priorities for 2011/2012
Chief Minister Katy Gallagher has released an ambitious program of priorities for the ACT Government in 2011/2012. They cover the following eight key areas and include 52 specific projects and 51 measurable targets: To ensure that Canberra is a liveable, sustainable city That its people enjoy timely access to healthcare That there is help for [...]
Expanding the borders of the ACT
I’ve had a bit of a hiatus from this site since the federal election, busy with family, work, and community & industry pursuits. But lately I’ve been thinking about the future of Canberra – the Canberra 2030 consultation has given us an opportunity to reflect on where we want the city to be in 20 [...]
ACT Budget – easy does it
Treasurer Katy Gallagher released the ACT Budget this afternoon and it’s an “easy does it” approach to working our way out of a net operating deficit of $83.9m in 2010-2011. The Treasurer has forecast a return to a balanced budget by 2013-2014 (two years earlier than originally forecast) and there are modest investments in transport, [...]
CollabIT Launch
Billed as a program to “create a supportive environment to accelerate the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) throughout the ACT region”, CollabIT was launched last night by Chief Minister Jon Stanhope at Regatta Point. Emerging from the highly successful Canberra.NET program, the Australian Information Industry Association has developed CollabIT to bring SMEs and [...]


