Heather Ponting says she feels her fight for justice was in vain, following news of a new preventable death in an ACT disability group home. Photo: Rohan Thomson
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The reminders of the spirit of her dead son in Heather Ponting's garden have given small comfort amid a sea of painful memories in the 15 years since Brett Ponting, a profoundly disabled man, was died in the bathtub of his government-run group home.
The death threw Ms Ponting head-first into a long and very public fight to change the ACT's disability-care system, but revelations of a similarly preventable death, that of Stephanie Fry in 2011, have made her fear the lessons learnt have already been forgotten.
- Actor Charlie Sheen has confirmed he is HIV-positive in a lengthy television interview, and said he has been the victim of extortion and blackmail for years by confidantes.
- A soccer match between Germany and the Netherlands has been called off less than 90 minutes before the scheduled kick off and the stadium evacuated after a suspicious package was discovered.
- Authorities will need wider powers to monitor and restrict the movement of extremists if Australia is to avoid a Paris-style terrorist attack, according to the former top bureaucrat who oversaw the introduction of the controversial terrorism control orders.
- Accused killer Christopher David Navin attended the funeral and wake of the man he is alleged to have murdered.
- Barack Obama has extended an invitation to Malcolm Turnbull to visit the White House in the first meeting between the leaders, in which a warm chemistry was visible.
Johnson is greeted by his wife, Jessica, and daughter, Rubika, after the match. Photo: Getty Images
The new undisputed leader of Australia's pace attack is not used to being treated as an understudy, especially given two days earlier he delivered the fastest recorded delivery in Test history. But with no chance of a result in the last session in Perth that was the treatment afforded to any bowler whose name was not Mitch Johnson.
- The Tim Cahill show has travelled to Bangladesh, with the Socceroos talisman netting a first-half hat-trick in Australia's 4-0 World Cup qualifier win in Dhaka.
- ACT Brumbies workhorse Jarrad Butler is one step closer to forcing his way into the Wallabies after Australian coach Michael Cheika called him into the Barbarians squad in London.
- The Canberra Capitals' miserable season has taken another major hit, with Lauren Jackson suffering another injury setback which will keep her out of WNBL action until January.
- Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart says Mitch Barnett's contract dispute with the club was "just part of business" and doesn't expect there to be any ongoing issues.
- There is a Canberra representative on the new board of Football Federation Australia, with former Socceroo Daniel Moulis giving the ACT a voice with the game's governing body.
9.44am: An ACT Policing spokesman said the earlier crashes on Pialligo Avenue heading towards Queanbeyan and in the city on Parkes Way and Coranderrk Street have cleared.
9.25am: Police are advising drivers heading to Queanbeyan to use Canberra Avenue following a three-car pile-up on Pialligo Avenue. Eastbound lane near intersection with Scherger Drive closed.
9.14am: A spokesman from the ACT Emergency Services Agency says a pregnant woman has been taken to hospital for assessment after a minor crash on Parkes Way and Coranderrk Street. The second crash on the Majura Parkway this morning, a three-car pile-up just before the intersection of Pialligo Avenue and Scherger Drive, was also a relatively minor rear-end collision.
9.04am: More chaos on the roads, this time in the city, with a crash on Parkes Way and Coranderrk Street. Units are on route.
9.01am: More madness on the Majura Parkway this morning. A three-car smash prang just before the intersection of Pialligo Avenue and Scherger Drive on the Queanbeyan side is causing delays. The cars are still on the road. Avoid the area. Police say this crash is compounding traffic problems caused by an earlier crash north on the parkway.
8.55am: Looks like there's been a prang near the airport just before the intersection of Pialligo Avenue and Scherger Drive on the Queanbeyan side. Emergency services are on their way.
8.37am: An earlier crash on the Majura Parkway, close to Tambreet Street, is now clear. Both drivers taken to Canberra Hospital with minor injuries.
7.54am: Ginninderra Drive, near Aikman Drive, in Bruce is now clear following an earlier single-vehicle smash.
7.52am: One person has been extricated from their car following a two-vehicle smash on the Majura Parkway earlier this morning. They have been taken to hospital. The condition of the second driver is unknown. Motorists are asked to avoid the area as one lane near Tambreet Street is still blocked.
7.21am: Major delays are expected on the Majura Parkway this morning following a two-car smash. One lane of the Parkway near Tambreet Street is blocked. Please avoid the area.
7.20am: The eastbound lane of Aikman Drive which was closed after a single-car crash is expected to open again soon.
7.15am: Police say the ramp from Tambreet Street onto the Majura Parkway is now open following a two-car crash. One northbound lane of the Majura Parkway is still blocked.
7.11am: There's also been a single vehicle crash at the Aikman Drive exit of Ginninderra Drive at Bruce. One eastbound lane on Aikman Drive is closed. Crews are also on scene.
7.09am: A two-car collision on the intersection of Tambreet Street and Mt Majura Road has blocked one lane of the Majura Parkway. Emergency services are on the scene, watch out if you're headed that way.
If you see any accidents or have any info on the morning commute, let us know whenever it is safe to do so: morningblog@canberratimes.com.au or tweet us @canberratimes
As part of the National Portrait Gallery's Talks series, listen to Alysha Redston, ANU intern, as she examines photographic portraits of dancers in the Collection at the National Portrait Gallery in The Ballet Russes to the Australian Ballet.
Designer Trent Jansen, entrepreneur Bruce Jeffreys, historian, artist and writer Anne Brennan, and neuroscientist Dr Pascal Molenberghs will discuss the concept of ownership with The Ownership of Things Talk; are we hard-wired to acquire things? At Palace Electric Cinema.
Why should we value the arts? Presented by Feminartsy in partnership with Ainslie and Gorman Arts Centres, join Professor Angelina Russo, Nikki Kennedy and Joseph Falsone.
Enjoy a showcase of theatre, cabaret, music, spoken word and film at The Public Theatre, a pop-up outdoor theatre space in Civic Square until November 29. More info here.
Further afield, Trees + is an exhibition and celebration of the tree at the Bungendore Wood Works Gallery until December 6.
Barber AJ Valeri is glad to hear of the influx of public servants planned to move into Woden offices. Photo: Melissa Adams
Woden business owners and workers were pleasantly surprised to learn on Tuesday that the ACT government will move about 1100 Territory Health Directorate and Access Canberra staff into the precinct. Some even said it could keep their doors open.
Touch or click through for more David Pope
Centre, Robbie Abel has signed with Brumbies in their extended player squad having fun with from left, Ryder Leuluai,8, Paua-Lee Going,7, and Avery Howe,7 at the Jerrabomberra Oval in Narrabundah. Photo: Melissa Adams
ACT Brumbies rookie Robbie Abel turned down a job in the mines for a $50,000 contract worth less than half of what he could be earning in Western Australia, but the hard-working hooker declared "it's not about the money" as he aims for one more crack at Super Rugby.
Wednesday: Sunny. Winds north to northwesterly 15 to 25 km/h turning westerly 20 to 30 km/h in the middle of the day then becoming light in the evening. Max 32.
Thursday: Mostly sunny. Light winds becoming westerly 15 to 25 km/h in the middle of the day then becoming light in the evening. Min 12, max 34.
