Tag: Australian Capital Territory

Petrol, Diesel Drivers Could Be Charged Special Fee to Enter Australia’s Capital

Authorities in Canberra have not ruled out charging petrol and diesel car drivers a special fee to enter the nation’s capital as part of an ongoing push towards lower emissions. The Labor-Greens government is facing criticism over its decision to embrace the C40’s “Green and Healthy Streets Accelerator” concept, which calls on governments to only operate…


Study Says One Southern State in Australia Is Better Than All the Rest

One Australian state has outperformed its fellow state and territory counterparts as the best place to live in the country, according to a study by the Centre for Social Impact. The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has, for the seventh year in a row, taken out first place in the Social Progress Index, which measures a…


Catholic Hospital Takeover by State Authorities Driven by Ideology: Law Professor

The ACT government’s move to take over Calvary Hospital, a Catholic institution, is driven by ideology rather than operational concerns, says law professor Joanna Howe. “If this decision was just about efficiency, then the government would have its sights set on Canberra Hospital [the largest hospital in the ACT] which is performing far worse than…


Australian Capital Territory Bans ‘No-Cause’ Evictions

Landlords in the nation’s capital will be allowed to evict tenants only for government-approved reasons after Labor and the Greens passed its no-cause eviction laws. Attorney-General Shane Rattenbury said the move was designed to deal with the challenging rental market in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). “We have heard from the community that no-cause evictions…


‘Shocking and Horrifying’: Attacker of Anti-CCP Protester Sentenced in Australia

A Chinese national who attacked a Falun Gong practitioner in Australia’s capital city of Canberra last year has apologised to his victim and been fined $3,000 (US$1,973.59) by the ACT Magistrates Court. Kang Zhao, 30, was arrested by police after trying to leave the country in December 2022. He pleaded guilty to all charges, including…


Australian Capital Territory Pushes Ahead With Euthanasia Laws

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) will move to start community consultations early next year on voluntary assisted dying laws after a quarter-century ban was overturned. The Senate passed a repeal bill to remove the embargo on Australia’s two territories legislating on euthanasia after the Northern Territory (NT) became the first jurisdiction to legalise it in…


Illicit Drugs For Personal Use Decriminalised in Australia’s Capital Territory

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT), home of the capital city Canberra has become the first Australian jurisdiction to decriminalise illicit drugs in small quantities. Laws passed the Territory’s parliament on Thursday, meaning people found with personal use amounts of nine different types of illicit drugs will not be criminally prosecuted. Instead, they will be cautioned,…


Legalising Euthanasia Risks Undermining Life Under Human Rights Rhetoric, Liberal Senator Argues

An Australian senator has pushed back against the move to legalise euthanasia in Australia’s territories, saying that it will “depreciate the value we place on life” under the banner of human rights. The comment comes following the introduction of a private bill dubbed Restoring Territory Rights, which aims to hand the Northern Territory and the…


Legalising Euthanasia Will ‘Depreciate’ the Value of Life, Senator Says

A senator is pushing back against the move to legalise euthanasia in Australia’s territories, saying it will “depreciate the value we place on life” under the banner of human rights. The comment comes following the introduction of a private bill dubbed Restoring Territory Rights, which aims to hand the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital…


What Does the Push to Phase out Fossil Fuel Cars Achieve?

Commentary The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has become the first Australian government to legislate the phase-out of fossil fuel-powered vehicles. The new policy heralds a ban on the sale of internal combustion engine vehicles, which will come into effect in 2035. The timing is interesting. Three successive energy security crises have dominated the news cycle…