Katy Gallagher’s last MLA card… there’s a track leading back.
On Thursday, CC got a greeting “wishing you a safe, happy and relaxed festive season” from Katy Gallagher, with the digital “holiday message” describing her only as an MLA. Oddly modest, we thought, her not proffering seasonal salutations as the Chief Minister.
But the clue was in the unseasonal picture of a long, winding and distant track (by Jonny Renton, of the Centenary Trail near Cooleman Ridge). Was this a subliminal announcement of her impending departure? If it was, we missed it completely and the next day she announced she was slinging her hook and heading for the Senate, if they’ll have her. Happy holidays, Katy.
Koala spared a kicking
Shane Rattenbury in the courtyard… sad or dancing inside?
He faithfully recorded the moment in words and pictures for the website (citynews.com.au) and reckons the lone Greens member and minister Shane Rattenbury was particularly emotional at Ms Gallagher’s taking the tram out of there.
Sure, he doesn’t look especially happy, but CC reckons inside he’d be dancing. Her departure is great news for Ratters, who was chummy with the Chief. With less than two years to differentiate the Greens from his Labor Cabinet bedmates before the next ACT election, he probably feels relieved that he won’t be having to lambast Katy, which as political columnist Michael Moore writes elsewhere in this edition, “is akin to kicking a koala”.
Swings and senators
RANDOM irony: Zed Seselja left the Assembly via a bloodied preselection fight against incumbent Gary Humphries to enter the Senate and moved from perpetual opposition to being, for the first time, in government. Katy Gallagher is likely to sashay into the Senate and straight into opposition for the first time in her political career.
Pumpin’ gas
AS our city’s sullen petrol prices seem immune to falling world oil prices, the good news is that American discount store Costco is poised to open its Canberra servo by Christmas and, hopefully, shake up the local market over the pricey holiday period.
CC has pumped gas at Costco Gasoline in the US and looks forward to Majura Park’s 16 bowsers with long hoses that allow filling from either side of the car. And there are bypass lanes for a quick exit. How sensible is that?
Hmmms…
UNSUNG sponsors: CC is a big fan of Martin Fisk and his Menslink work mentoring and counselling young and often troubled blokes aged 12 to 25 in schools and around the Territory. Here’s a small insight into how the small but effective organisation manages to make ends meet. The picture shows Peter Munday, right, handing over a new Volkswagen Amarok ute, compliments of Lennock Volkswagen. Nice gesture, Lennocks.
SO, he upgrades to a snappy Beemer and decides to transfer his personalised plates to the new car. In fact, he ups the number plate experience to a set of the pricey European-style plates that feature the prefix “A”. His initials are RS. Oops.
A WORRIED Dunlop reader calls Canberra Connect seeking help with a snake spotted in her front garden. The call centre told her to wait indoors for an hour and it would go away. But where, CC wonders, next door?
DEFENCE Health’s battle with Calvary over private hospital cover for its members has ended. Calvary has withdrawn its provocative “notice of termination” and some cooler heads have prevailed with a new four-year agreement that is described as “fair and it does not put undue pressure on premiums”, which suggests Defence did better than the hospitals.
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