While federal politicians face a hectic start to 2026, a senior staffer for Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has taken time to voice strong criticism about a major event in the nation's capital.
Top Aide's Scathing Critique of Summernats
Liam Jones, the press secretary for Ms Ley, had a letter published in The Canberra Times last week expressing his "distinct distaste" for the annual Summernats automotive festival. In his correspondence, Jones likened the event's arrival to a forced migration, contrasting it with natural phenomena like the monarch butterfly or wildebeest movements.
"Alas Canberra is yet again suffering through the annual Summernats season," Jones wrote. "For reasons unknown, Canberra is forced to endure a migration of a different kind." The letter confirms the political staffer's long-standing opposition to the festival, which divides local opinion between enthusiasts and critics.
When contacted, Mr Jones confirmed he authored the letter and noted it wasn't his first submission to the newspaper. In 2022, he criticised then-ACT Minister Chris Steel over plans for fortnightly rubbish collection, labelling him "The Minister For Terrible Ideas."
Public Service Shake-Up: Talent Sharing Begins
In other public sector news, a significant change to recruitment processes will commence in February 2026. Australian Public Service agencies will now be required to share merit lists with one another upon request, provided specific conditions are met.
The new rules state that a merit list must be shared if it is more than six months old, a similar vacancy arises in another department, and a request is made within 18 months of the original vacancy being advertised. This policy aims to improve talent mobility across government, though agencies can withhold lists if they dispute the similarity of roles.
This change could facilitate long-desired talent moves between departments, such as from Foreign Affairs to Home Affairs, and encourages agencies to closely monitor each other's recruitment activities.
Gifts, Ties, and Government Spending
The article also reveals intriguing details about government expenditure and prime ministerial gifts. The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), a small agency with just over 50 staff, spent thousands on promotional merchandise last financial year.
Documents from Senate estimates show the agency purchased $3,500 worth of distinctive green and blue ties and nearly $8,000 on custom logo lapel pins. The total spend on promotional items exceeded $21,000, likely for distribution at international events supporting agricultural partnerships in the Indo-Pacific.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's updated register of interests shows he surrendered a silver peacock model gifted by India's Defence Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh. Gifts he was allowed to keep include a Rabbitohs jersey and book from the Australasian Union of Jewish Students and a signed Matildas jersey.
Political Commentary Hits Close to Home
The criticism from a federal opposition staffer highlights how political figures often engage with local issues beyond the national agenda. Mr Jones's letter underscores the ongoing debate about Summernats' place in Canberra's cultural calendar, balancing tourism benefits against community disruption.
As the public service adapts to new talent-sharing protocols and agencies account for their spending, these snippets from the capital reveal the intersecting worlds of politics, policy, and public administration in early 2026.
