Doctors, nurses and paramedics prepare to take care of an intoxicated male in the emergency department at Calvary Hospital after he collapsed at a nightclub. Photo: Jay Cronan
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The ACT government is considering earlier closing times for bars in the city and more radical measures such as setting minimum prices for alcohol in bottle stores and supermarkets to combat increasing alcohol abuse and assaults.
A paper released by Health Minister Simon Corbell on Tuesday paints a troubling picture of alcohol use and abuse in Canberra, with assaults increasing in the city centre since 2010 despite reforms introduced then.
Canberra's emergency departments are also facing an increase in intoxication cases, up 35 per cent, and injuries, up 24 per cent in the three years. The hospitals report serious injuries including skull fractures, bleeding to the brain and permanent brain injury.
- West Australian Liberal MP Don Randall has been found dead. Mr Randall was found in his car in Boddington, a small regional town in his electorate, south of Perth. He was 62.
- As the only jurisdiction to enforce a rule requiring Labor Party members to also belong to a union, the ACT branch of the party could find itself in the firing line at this weekend's national conference.
- The ACT's standard of living went backwards in the past year, according to new research by the University of Canberra.
- A University of Canberra academic has been suspended without pay as police investigate sexual assault allegations.
- Prime Minister Tony Abbott says Bronwyn Bishop must make no more errors with expenses and entitlements, effectively putting the under-pressure Speaker on notice.
- David Harold Eastman's bid to avoid a retrial is set to be heard by a former top barrister who fought a number of high-profile asbestos and mesothelioma cases.
- Public Service Commissioner John Lloyd's office spent almost $10,000 of taxpayers' money in its failed attempt to catch a leaker in its ranks.
Ben Freeman is aiming to become the first Canberran to swim the English Channel. Photo: Jamila Toderas
The 17-year-old will attempt to become the first Canberran and third-youngest Australian to conquer long-distance swimming's ultimate challenge when he leaves from Dover between August 8 and 13.
The exact date of Freeman's departure depends on the conditions for the iconic 32km journey between Dover and the French city of Calais.
- Forgotten Canberra Raider Josh McCrone will play in the halves at NRL level for the first time in almost a year at Penrith on Sunday, with coach Ricky Stuart admitting his lower grade form made him "easy to pick".
- Tennis Australia president Steve Healy says Canberra has put itself into a strong position to host a Davis Cup tie with the opening of the $10.5 million Canberra Tennis Centre.
- This time the hand that reached out to a Team Sky rider at the Tour de France was not to punch or throw urine, but to save – that being, Briton Geraint Thomas, after he hurtled over the edge on the descent of the Col de Manse in the last kilometres of stage 16.
- Socceroos goalkeeper Mat Ryan is about to complete the biggest move of his career after agreeing terms on a €7 million (A$10.3 million) transfer from Club Brugge to Spanish powerhouses Valencia.
- Quade Cooper, whether he plays well, poorly or somewhere in between, will always be the most-scrutinised Wallaby when he's in the team. And so it will be again in chilly Mendoza when the Australians play the Pumas on Saturday night.
Ruffells Estate is holding Canberra Truffle Hunts for prized black Perigord truffles as part of the annual truffle festival. The hunts take place Wednesday to Sunday until the end of August.
The National Portrait Gallery will host playful activities for children aged between six months and three years old from 9.30am and 10.30am.
The Street Theatre's performance of Dylan Thomas: Return Journey - a legendary, critically acclaimed production directed by Anthony Hopkins - opens tonight.
Hayden Ashley of Reload armed to play Point Blank as part of the Civic bar's Retro Gaming launch. Photo: Jay Cronan
