This week on The Hoot, David Murtagh is joined by Assembly reporter Claire Fenwicke to discuss the growing debt in the ACT (are we that far off being Victoria?), the myriad failures in public housing, and one of the reasons the Barr Government is so keen on light rail is that we are projected to have a population of 780,000 in 2060. A question for you: is this what we want in Canberra? And if so, can we still be the 'Bush Capital'?

This week on The Hoot, David Murtagh is joined by Assembly reporter Claire Fenwicke to discuss the growing debt in the ACT (are we that far off being Victoria?), the myriad failures in public housing, and one of the reasons the Barr Government is so keen on light rail is that we are projected to have a population of 780,000 in 2060. A question for you: is this what we want in Canberra? And if so, can we still be the 'Bush Capital'?

The Hoot brings you news, views and big ideas from Canberra's Region Media. Join Claire Fenwicke and David Murtagh for insights, expertise and a bit of fun each week.

The Hoot brings you news, views and big ideas from Canberra's Region Media. Join Claire Fenwicke and David Murtagh for insights, expertise and a bit of fun each week.

Join Genevieve Jacobs and Ross Solly for the week's news, views and big ideas from Canberra

The Hoot

Join Claire Fenwicke and David Murtagh as they deep dive the week's biggest topic or two. And if you're lucky, there'll even be some maths. It's news and views, but not as you expected. 

Join Claire Fenwicke and David Murtagh as they deep dive the week's biggest topic or two. And if you're lucky, there'll even be some maths. It's news and views, but not as you expected.

The Hoot: the ACT's ticking debt bomb, the problems with public housing and who said we want 'Big Canberra'?

This week on The Hoot, the owls take a hard look at the ACT Government's 20-year plan to cull the number of poker machines in local clubs.

Under the initiative, the number of poker machines in the ACT will be slashed to just 1000 by 2045 if Labor is re-elected in October (there are currently 3790). The primary goal is to reduce gambling harm. ACT Labor says it will legislate to force clubs to give up 500 machines every four years until the target is met.

But there's more.

The sweetener will be a framework for clubs to develop sustainable alternative revenue streams, including practical ways for clubs to unlock their land so it can be used for housing, build-to-rent projects and aged care.

But it's not all smooth sailing - in fact, the clubs are positively ropable.

And where would we be without light rail? On a bus probably, but aside from that ...

We're headed to the polls in October and it seems like light rail will again be a primary focus. Oh, goody.

The Libs are in a spot of bother with their plan to put us on the buses, but the government has some problems, too. Some of the turns to Woden are a bit sharp for the not-too-nimble trams, so we'll be getting a tunnel. Of sorts. And they don't come cheap ... not that we know what the cost will be, but apart from that ... 

Finally, we discuss this park from Andrew Barr. Yes, it's a storm in a teacup, but isn't everything these days?

If you haven’t subscribed to the Hoot, why haven't you? Like all Region products, to you, the listener, the reader, it’s free. No pay walls.

Subscribe through your favourite pod app, leave a message, share, rate and review.

Hoot, hoot!

This week on The Hoot, the owls take a hard look at the ACT Government's 20-year plan to cull the number of poker machines in local clubs.
Under the initiative, the number of poker machines in the ACT will be slashed to just 1000 by 2045 if Labor is re-elected in October (there are currently 3790). The primary goal is to reduce gambling harm. ACT Labor says it will legislate to force clubs to give up 500 machines every four years until the target is met.
But there's more.
The sweetener will be a framework for clubs to develop sustainable alternative revenue streams, including practical ways for clubs to unlock their land so it can be used for housing, build-to-rent projects and aged care.
But it's not all smooth sailing - in fact, the clubs are positively ropable.
And where would we be without light rail? On a bus probably, but aside from that ...
We're headed to the polls in October and it seems like light rail will again be a primary focus. Oh, goody.
<a href="https://the-riotact.com/parton-defends-busway-plan-after-admitting-bridge-unlikely-to-carry-priority-lane/777475">The Libs are in a spot of bother with their plan to put us on the buses</a>, but the government has some problems, too. Some of the turns to Woden are a bit sharp for the not-too-nimble trams, so <a href="https://the-riotact.com/light-rail-update-short-tunnel-proposed-to-negotiate-tight-state-circle-bend/777103">we'll be getting a tunnel</a>. Of sorts. And they don't come cheap ... not that we know what the cost will be, but apart from that ... 
Finally, we discuss this <a href="https://the-riotact.com/i-was-following-instructions-chief-minister-apologises-for-parking-in-disabled-spot-at-private-event/776554">park from Andrew Barr</a>. Yes, it's a storm in a teacup, but isn't everything these days?
If you haven’t subscribed to the Hoot, why haven't you? Like all Region products, to you, the listener, the reader, it’s free. No pay walls.
Subscribe through your favourite pod app, leave a message, share, rate and review.
Hoot, hoot!

The Hoot: Labor's pokies plan a high stakes gamble

Good news! Claire Fenwicke is back, meaning Murtagh's evil reign has come to an end.

And just in the nick of time.

This week, the owl's talk about where to next for voluntary assisted dying now that it's been passed, which inevitably brings us to slippery slopes. And all was going well until Murtagh decided to mention Zed (you remember him?)

Murtagh's argument is basically that if you think a law is immoral, as Zed and Kevin Andrews did when VAD was first proposed in the territories, then it's your duty to stop it. That's what you'd do, right? And don't we want politicians to do what they think is right, not expedient or in their self-interest?

Maybe, but Murtagh knows he is - again - in the minority and won't be winning many (or any) friends in the Territory, although Edmund Burke might be smiling.

Then attention is turned to the gold-plated speechwriter in the office of Bill Shorten. Once you get past the astronomical salary ($310,000 a year, thank you very much), does it give clues to the problem the government will have in its efforts to cut contractor costs? If it has to pay more than double APS rates to get a pen for hire, how are they going to get IT specialists?

And finally ... we go to Kambah! The biggest suburb in the southern hemisphere (if you don't count the bigger ones).

Good news! Claire Fenwicke is back, meaning Murtagh's evil reign has come to an end.
And just in the nick of time.
This week, the owl's talk about where to next for <a href="https://the-riotact.com/voluntary-assisted-dying-legalised-in-act-after-30-year-battle/776145">voluntary assisted dying</a> now that it's been passed, which inevitably brings us to slippery slopes. And all was going well until Murtagh decided to mention Zed (you remember him?)
Murtagh's argument is basically that if you think a law is immoral, as Zed and Kevin Andrews did when VAD was first proposed in the territories, then it's your duty to stop it. That's what you'd do, right? And don't we want politicians to do what they think is right, not expedient or in their self-interest?
Maybe, but Murtagh knows he is - again - in the minority and won't be winning many (or any) friends in the Territory, although Edmund Burke might be smiling.
Then attention is turned to the <a href="https://the-riotact.com/shorten-says-he-had-nothing-to-do-with-the-300000-a-year-speechwriter-contract/776151">gold-plated speechwriter in the office of Bill Shorten</a>. Once you get past the astronomical salary ($310,000 a year, thank you very much), does it give clues to the problem the government will have in its efforts to cut contractor costs? If it has to pay more than double APS rates to get a pen for hire, how are they going to get IT specialists?
And finally ... <a href="https://the-riotact.com/happy-birthday-kambah-heres-to-the-biggest-suburb-in-the-southern-hemisphere/775293">we go to Kambah!</a> The biggest suburb in the southern hemisphere (if you don't count the bigger ones).

The Hoot: VAD's passed, but what happens next?

You've heard about CSIRO's analysis of nuclear power, right?

And you remember when the ACT Government told you how great the next stages of light rail would be (although not the cost ... which is odd ... but we digress).

And you saw the Treasurer deliver the Budget (gee, you really are a sucker for punishment, aren't you!)

How reliable are the figures and their 'analysis'?

Do you really trust them?

Is CSIRO right when it says a nuclear reactor would cost $8.6 billion? No. They're wrong. Nothing against CSIRO, but predictions are hard - especially about the future! (It'll be waaaaay more than 8.6 - you can take that to the bank.)

Remember, Snowy 2.0 was meant to cost $2 billion and could now be edging to (if not over) $13 billion. And it's about four years late.

The truth is, they have no idea. No one does. Yet we place all our faith and make decisions based on what they swear is their reliable crystal ball.

This week on The Hoot, Murtagh takes the reins and tackles the 'experts'. What could possibly go wrong?

You've heard about CSIRO's analysis of nuclear power, right?
And you remember when the ACT Government told you how great the next stages of light rail would be (although not the cost ... which is odd ... but we digress).
And you saw the Treasurer deliver the Budget (gee, you really are a sucker for punishment, aren't you!)
How reliable are the figures and their 'analysis'?
Do you really trust them?
Is CSIRO right when it says a nuclear reactor would cost $8.6 billion? No. They're wrong. Nothing against CSIRO, but predictions are hard - especially about the future! (It'll be waaaaay more than 8.6 - you can take that to the bank.)
Remember, Snowy 2.0 was meant to cost $2 billion and could now be edging to (if not over) $13 billion. And it's about four years late.
The truth is, they have no idea. No one does. Yet we place all our faith and make decisions based on what they swear is their reliable crystal ball.
This week on The Hoot, Murtagh takes the reins and tackles the 'experts'. What could possibly go wrong?

The Hoot: the ACT's ticking debt bomb, the problems with public housing and who said we want 'Big Canberra'?

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