Latest news with #TaraCheyne
ABC News
12 hours ago
- Politics
- ABC News
ACT Attorney-General Tara Cheyne reveals she was sexually assault by a stranger, as government debates women's safety
ACT Attorney-General Tara Cheyne has revealed she is a past victim of a sexual assault by a stranger, an incident that still traumatises her. It comes after a 59-year-old woman was assaulted by a teenager in broad daylight while out running in Bonner, ACT, last month, and another woman was grabbed by a man while running in March. During a debate in the Legislative Assembly about a motion on women's safety, Ms Cheyne spoke for the first time about the incident that occurred outside of Canberra while she was in her 20s. "I haven't ever spoken about it." Ms Cheyne said the incident was incredibly demoralising. "That is extraordinarily unfair. It has meant I have some unresolved trauma from it because I felt too ashamed to talk to anybody at the time. "I pushed it out of my memory. "I don't want to make it about me, but what I'm trying to do is demonstrate [that] women are unsafe everywhere. "It doesn't matter about the lighting, footpaths, whether you're in the home or somewhere else — all these places, women's lives are at risk." The Legislative Assembly was debating a motion, brought by Independent MLA Thomas Emerson, calling for the ACT government to roll out new measures to support women's safety. Mr Emerson said 93 per cent of women respondents to his online poll said they did not feel safe exercising at night in Canberra. The ACT government's own Gender Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines indicate that better lighting is the most effective way to improve women's sense of safety in public spaces. "It's really sad that we have to be having these conversations, and there's a lot that needs to happen when it comes to our boys and young men. "At the same time, there are things we can be doing to make it easier for people to feel safe in public spaces." Mr Emerson was criticised by members in the assembly for taking the credit for work done by others — particularly women — by bringing the bill to the assembly by himself and for failing to get to the heart of gender-based violence, despite his good intentions. For Canberran Kim Elms, running has been a key method of socialising and maintaining fitness for more than 20 years. She said she does "not at all" feel safe running around Canberra. Ms Elm always tells somewhere where she plans to run, has her partner track her on an app, and tries to always plan runs with friends so that she feels safer. The group she runs with uses head torches and sometimes phone flashlights to see where they are going and to feel safe. Ms Elm chooses to run where there are lights in winter, when some of her friends stop running altogether because the path around Lake Burley Griffin is too dark. While Ms Elm knows lights won't completely fix the problem, she hopes to see them installed, at least around the lake, soon, so more women feel safer. "This year, there have been a couple of attacks that have really rammed home that we're not safe — even in daylight," she said.
ABC News
12-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
ACT government announces financial assistance for Canberra businesses affected by light rail construction
Businesses impacted by light rail construction between the city and Commonwealth Park are being offered targeted assistance by the ACT government. Some businesses say the work, which began early this year and includes road closures and diversions, is hurting trade. One business owner says they've lost $45,000 in one month of the construction and is pleading for the relevant ministers to at least sit down with operators. The assistance package announced today includes free parking Wednesday to Sunday from 5:30pm at nearby car parks, outdoor dining permit fee waivers from July 1, new CCTV cameras to improve safety and an advertising campaign to promote businesses in the area. Night-Time Economy Minister Tara Cheyne says the funding will help businesses who are struggling to stay afloat. "By providing fee relief, enhancing public safety, and backing local activations, we're helping ensure these businesses remain destinations of choice, even during construction," Ms Cheyne said. "These initiatives are designed to encourage locals and visitors alike, to support our incredible hospitality sector. "There is no substitute for patronage. I encourage Canberrans to get out across the city to explore and enjoy your favourite bars, restaurants and shops." Ant Arena, who owns five venues based on London Circuit, welcomed the announcement but argued it falls short of the financial support needed. Mr Arena's business experienced a $45,000 loss last month, and he said waiving outdoor fees that amounted to about $2,000 [per year] wouldn't go far enough. "If I'm losing money hand-over-fist because of things that they're doing, then I don't want to be paying any of those taxes and fees," he said. "The parking is … helpful — but it's not super helpful, I don't think it's going to move the needle that much." Business Minister Michael Pettersson said the package was developed in consultation with traders and industry representatives. Though businesses were briefed by the government over the weekend, Mr Arena said consultation could be better. "I've got five venues in that building — I haven't heard from [Mr Pettersson] once," Mr Arena said. "I've asked for financial support, in particular around the taxes and the fees that we're subjected to … We get a flat 'no' continuously on that. "The government does not want to give up any of their revenue because they feel like that's not right, yet they're happy to take our revenue away." Mr Arena said he believed the government did not recognise the scale of financial pressure faced by venues in the area annually, due to expenses like public liability insurance. "The government is oblivious to how our businesses operate and the impacts that their decisions have." Treasurer Chris Steel said the government's goal was to stimulate activity in the area, making financial support unnecessary. But he acknowledged that the construction would continue to cause disruption. "We certainly know that light rail stage 2A is going to disrupt the community, particularly hospitality businesses," Mr Steel said. "The package ... is really about saying to the community, these businesses are open, and it's really important that everyone gets out and supports them. "It's been very clear from the beginning, as we engage with the businesses and through our written partnership plan, direct financial assistance wasn't on the table." Mr Steel said was happy to meet with business owners like Mr Arena. "There's been engagement for many years about this project, and many of the businesses I know are very supportive of the project and the benefits it will provide in providing a better connected CBD, a more vibrant place for them to do their business, particularly in hospitality," he said. "But of course, it has become a lot more real over the last few months, and so some of the suggestions that businesses came with — like providing free parking for their patrons to attract more people into the city centre — we were really happy to consider, and we hope that that will make a difference, and we'll continue listening to them as well." In light of the recent closure of a number of venues in the city, Independent MLA Thomas Emerson has been pushing the government to roll out additional measures — including establishing a Night-Time Economy Coordinator, to act as a single point of contact who can work across multiple portfolios. He said Ms Cheyne's role as Attorney-General as well as Night-Time Economy Minister meant her attention was divided. "Someone who's actually really looking to partner with bookers and venue managers and artists to activate the city."
