In the midst of a hectic start to the year for federal politicians, Liam Jones, the press secretary for the opposition leader Sussan Ley, has taken time to voice his disapproval of Canberra’s annual Summernats festival. His letter to the editor, published last week, criticized the event, which is a significant draw for January tourism in the city.
“Alas, Canberra is yet again suffering through the annual Summernats season,” Jones wrote. “It arrives with the regulatory rhythm of the great migrations. The Americas have the monarch butterfly, the Serengeti has its wildebeest, the north and south Poles have the sleek Arctic tern. But not Canberra. For reasons unknown, Canberra is forced to endure a migration of a different kind,” he continued.
Jones’s History of Public Commentary
This is not the first time Jones has used the platform of The Canberra Times to express his opinions on local matters. A long-time letter writer, he previously criticized Chris Steel, dubbing him “The Minister For Terrible Ideas” over plans for fortnightly rubbish collection in 2022. “I thought the idea was we wanted less plastic? Once again, the ACT Labor-Greens government are demonstrating how out of touch they are with average Canberran families. Canberrans are already compost queens and kings,” he wrote at the time.
Public Service Merit List Sharing
Meanwhile, a new development in the public service sector may aid agencies in acquiring high-caliber staff. Starting February, public service agencies will be required to share merit lists with one another upon request, provided the list has been active for over six months and a similar vacancy arises in another department within 18 months of the original posting.
There are exceptions, such as when agencies cannot agree on the similarity of vacancies. This initiative could potentially allow departments like Home Affairs to recruit talent from the Department of Foreign Affairs, enhancing inter-departmental cooperation.
Government Spending on Promotional Merchandise
In other news, the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, a small public service agency, spent $3500 on promotional ties last financial year. These green and blue ties, intended as promotional merchandise, have yet to be seen around the capital. The agency, which focuses on strategic partnerships to improve agricultural productivity in the Indo-Pacific, likely distributed these items at international events.
Prime Minister’s Growing Sports Memorabilia Collection
On a lighter note, the Prime Minister’s collection of sports memorabilia has expanded, now including a signed jersey from the Matildas and a cricket bat from the Prime Minister’s XI team. These items add to his existing collection, which includes a Rabbitohs jersey and book from the Australasian Union of Jewish Students.
The announcement of these various developments comes as the government and its agencies continue to navigate the complexities of public service management and community engagement. As Canberra endures another Summernats, the discourse around the event highlights the diverse opinions within the city.
Looking ahead, the implications of shared merit lists and promotional spending will likely influence public service strategies and community relations. The ongoing dialogue around local events such as Summernats reflects broader themes of cultural identity and community priorities in Canberra.
