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HomeNewsWhat Is Happening To Canberra? Crumbling Services, Mounting Debt and Declining Governance
What is happening to Canberra? Crumbling Services, Mounting Debt and Declining Governance

Left to right (Seating): Dr Khalid Ahmed, Dr Bruin Christensen and Dr A.J. Carruthers. Photo courtesy M.Cooper

Wednesday 11 March 2026

This roundtable event brought together 35 academics, students, policy-makers and community activists. The audience included former ACT Chief Minister Gary Humphries, public servants, academics from outside ANU, and members of CPAG (Canberra Planning Action Group). 

In his informative talk, Dr Khalid Ahmed outlined the escalating and urgent financial problems facing Canberra, and how Canberra’s specific make-up and demographics mask inequality. Dr Bruin Christensen (UNSW) spoke about potential paths forward. This was followed by a highly engaging discussion, chaired by Dr A.J. Carruthers, about past and current ACT policy and community involvement in local governance. Participants expressed enthusiasm for future educative events that also bring together scholars, policy makers and members of the broader Canberra community.

This event was organised by the Capitalism Studies Network. For more information, please contact Melinda.Cooper@anu.edu.au or Amelia.Dale@anu.edu.au.

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