The Australian Labor Party was victorious in the May 2022 Federal Election – the first time a Labor Government had won power on election night since 2010. The overarching theme, (and not-surprisingly Word of the Year) came from the ‘Teal’ independents. The ACT’s first ever Independent senator, David Pocock, sat down for an exclusive interview with CW journalist Nick Fuller.
Sadly, the ACT road toll increased in May and stayed in the news largely due to the campaigning of Tom McLuckie, father of Matthew McLuckie, 20, who was tragically killed in a head-on collision.
In lighter news, CW checked out 7 of Canberra’s most haunted places with Tim the Yowie Man, and a Yass Valley Highland bull sold for a six-figure sum.
ALP eyes majority as Anthony Albanese gets to work
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was days away from knowing whether he can govern with a majority but was sworn in on Monday 23 May, along with his deputy Richard Marles, new Treasurer Jim Chalmers, and new Finance Minister, ACT Senator Katy Gallagher.
Reflecting on Labor’s election win on Sunday morning 22 May in Sydney, Mr Albanese said it had been a “big moment”.
“But what I want it to be is a big moment for the country.”
The ALP achieved a majority government for the first time since 2007, winning 77 seats in the House of Representatives.
David Pocock has his eye on the ball
It was a Wednesday afternoon in David Pocock’s campaign office, in the back of his Turner house, and his staffers were keeping a close eye on the election count. “They’re up to 73 per cent!”
The ABC had already declared Mr Pocock is “likely” to gain the ACT second Senate seat, although Liberal incumbent Zed Seselja maintained he still had the lead.
“I’m certainly not claiming victory just yet, but it is historic for the Territories,” Mr Pocock said. “I feel honoured that people are willing to put their trust in me to represent them.”
Mr Pocock’s platform – making politics about people again, community representation, and integrity – appealed to Canberrans from across the political spectrum. He had enormous public support, and more than 2,000 volunteers – many involved in politics for the first time.
Family of Matthew McLuckie left ‘heartbroken’ after fatal collision on Hindmarsh Drive
Matthew McLuckie was identified as the man tragically killed in head-on collision on Hindmarsh Drive on Thursday 19 May, with his family paying an emotional tribute to the 20-year-old.
Mr McLuckie was returning home from work before colliding with another vehicle that was travelling on the wrong side of the road and he sadly passed away a short time later in hospital.
The female driver of the other car remained in hospital in a serious condition. Police were still searching for the driver of a third vehicle they believe was also involved in the incident, who officers say may have also been driving on the wrong side of the road.
7 of Canberra’s most haunted places, with Tim the Yowie Man
Whether you’re a believer, a skeptic, or flat-out think they’re a myth, ghost stories and ‘sightings’ have perpetuated in popular culture for millennia … and some of them are downright spooky.
Most born and raised Canberrans would know this region is host to a cornucopia of haunted relics, buildings, and ‘ghost spots’ that will give goosebumps even to some disbelievers.
Local legend and crypto-naturalist, Tim the Yowie Man, took intrepid Canberra Daily journalist Abbey Halter through his personal list of the top seven most haunted places in Canberra.
No bull: 9 Yass Valley Highland cattle sell for six-figure sum
Fetching a hefty $16,075, Nugget the 570kg bull was among nine head of Yass Valley Highland cattle sold for a six-figure sum by local livestock agent Paul Costigan.
Yass Valley small farmer Jane MacCulloch knew she had the cutest cows on the lot but was still reeling from the unbelievable sale price for her prized Highland cattle.
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