ABC Canberra

12/01/2026

Police seized 19 vehicles for burnouts, evicted 25 people from events and made multiple arrests during Summernats 2026.

Dangerous driving surged through the four-day car festival, also prompting police to issue hundreds of traffic infringements and car defect notices.

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A major police operation at Summernats has resulted in 19 vehicle seizures, hundreds of traffic offences and multiple arrests.

11/01/2026

A new report shows the percentage of fully bulk-billing GP clinics has almost doubled in a year.

Cleanbill, an online GP directory, has released its January Blue Report, indicating bulk-billing rates are on the rise.

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The percentage of GP clinics fully bulk-billing has almost doubled, according to a new report, however, the government says the data cannot be relied on.

11/01/2026

🚽 Did you know the half-flush toilet, polymer bank notes and the pedestrian push-button were all Aussie inventions?

A new exhibition celebrating Australian inventors, patents and trademarks is now open at the National Archives of Australia.

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When Queen Elizabeth II used a product on her royal tour of Australia in 1963, journalists noticed. Then everyone wanted to use it.

11/01/2026

And just like that, Summernats is over!

Tens of thousands of people attended Australia's largest car festival with a record 3,000 entrants competing across show cars and stunt events.

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11/01/2026

Australia's largest car festival has roared to a close in Canberra, ending its 38th year with celebrations and a brawl that police had to contain.

The four-day event drew about 130,000 people and a record 3,000 entrants to its show car and stunt demonstrations amid challenging heat and windy conditions.

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Australia's largest car festival draws to a close in Canberra, with record cars, championship wins, and a brawl that police are investigating.

10/01/2026

Fireworks will not go ahead at the Summernats car festival in Canberra today after discussions between emergency services and festival organisers.

The car festival was previously granted an exemption from the total fire ban, but that was revoked given the current extreme fire risk.

ACT ESA Commissioner Wayne Phillips said festival organisers had been very cooperative with the ESA's decision to cancel the fireworks show.

"We know now that we're going to have these conditions go right through to the evening — hot, dry, windy conditions," he said.

"[With] the unpredictability of this weather, they agreed with us that the best thing to do is cancel the fireworks."

On Facebook, Summernats said it supported the decision, and didn't want the community to feel more anxious or unsafe by the inclusion of the fireworks.

"We've pulled the fireworks after discussions with ACT Emergency Services," the festival said.

"We totally support the decision by Emergency Services. No other program changes required!"

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09/01/2026

There are about 40-50 active volunteer carers within ACT Wildlife, but the organisation says more are needed, especially as the temperature soars.

Reporting by Lish Feyer via ABC Canberra.

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09/01/2026

ACT Wildlife is urging Canberrans to do what they can to keep native animals safe in the capital.

The volunteer group says summer is the peak season for rescues with heat, holidays and human activity driving a surge in injured wildlife.

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There are about 40-50 active volunteer carers within ACT Wildlife, but the organisation says more are needed, especially as the temperature soars.

09/01/2026

A man has died after a crash between a truck and car near Canberra on Friday morning.

The driver of the car, a 25-year-old man, was treated at the scene by paramedics before being transported to hospital in a critical condition. He died this afternoon.

A 25-year-old man has died after a crash between a car and a truck on the Monaro Highway, south of Canberra.

09/01/2026

Major upgrades to Canberra's Commonwealth Avenue Bridge are underway, with three of the bridge's six lanes now closed to traffic.

Construction will be staged over two years, with each side of the bridge closing for about 12 months, starting with the northbound side.

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09/01/2026

Canberra-based Nick Kyrgios has conceded he is not up to playing singles at the Australian Open, ruling himself out of a likely wildcard.

The local crowd-puller was tipped to receive one of the three remaining wildcards from Tennis Australia.

But he announced on social media on Friday he would only play doubles with great mate Thanasi Kokkinakis at Melbourne Park, with the tournament getting underway on January 18.

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Returning from injury, Nick Kyrgios has spoken with Australian Open organisers and made the call not to use a wildcard to play singles this year.

08/01/2026

A total fire ban has been declared for the ACT for the first time since January 2020.

The ban takes effect from tonight at midnight and will continue for 24 hours, throughout Saturday.

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For the first time since the Black Summer bushfires, a total fire ban will be imposed in the ACT. The ban will be in place for the duration of Saturday.