Dana Daniel
Verified- Federal Politics Reporter, Sydney Morning Herald
- Federal Politics Reporter, The Age
- Senior Political Reporter, The Canberra Times
Canberra
Senior Political Reporter @canberratimes 🗞️
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Articles by Dana Daniel
'My poor daughter': Canberra mum's nightmare as childcare closed over safety breaches
Ally Sweeney no longer has childcare for her daughter after the centre she attended was abruptly shut down by the regulator. But for four-year-old Blake, Edge Early Learning Higgins already felt unsafe, the Canberra mum and tow truck driver tells The Canberra Times. Ms Sweeney - who does not have the option to work from home - said she had already stopped sending Blake to the centre when it closed this week, after losing faith in its ability to look after her properly.
Albanese govt's budget means dramatic APS cuts needed to achieve surplus: budget office
The federal government's return to budget surplus relies in part on an unrealistic expectation of a smaller public service, an analysis by the Parliamentary Budget Office says. About 40,000 public servants would need to be culled by 2036-37 - along with slashing the National Disability Insurance Scheme and allowing bracket creep to drive up tax revenues - to bring the budget back to balance, the independent budget watchdog said.
'Optics over substance': former student blasts ANU over handling of anti-Semitism
"I should be able to look back on those years, which are some of the most formative of one's young adult life ... as beautiful periods of growth and intellectual discovery and fun," she said.
Katy Gallagher's daughter Evie steals the show at the Midwinter Ball in Parliament House
Politicians, journalists and corporates have descended on the Great Hall in Parliament House for the Midwinter Ball. Decked out in their finest for the annual fundraiser hosted by the Canberra press gallery, guests from across the political spectrum rubbed shoulders to raise funds for local charities. Katy Gallagher and daughter Evie among the many attendees at the 2026 Midwinter Ball.
'Retaliatory conduct': new details emerge of Canberra Libs' legal dispute with director
New details have been revealed of the legal stoush between the Liberal Party's ACT division and its director Adam Wojtonis, who has been on leave since February and alleges "retaliatory conduct" against him. In a letter from his solicitor to the division's management committee, seen by The Canberra Times, Mr Wojtonis alleged that he had been unlawfully punished for raising concerns about internal party matters.
War Memorial executive's heated stoush with photographer at official launch of $550m redevelopment
A senior executive at the Australian War Memorial has clashed with members of the Canberra press gallery in a heated stoush at the launch of the new Anzac Hall. "We were complaining [among ourselves] about the light, because they had a spotlight that was shining directly at us, so it became almost impossible to do our jobs," Bowers told The Canberra Times. Australian War Memorial head of comms Elliot Woods, left, and press gallery photographer Mike Bowers.
'Sows the seeds of corruption': business groups blast Albanese govt's procurement changes
New laws that would mean companies that give workers "fair and reasonable" wages and conditions are prioritised in Commonwealth procurement have come under fire from the federal opposition and business groups.
'It gets everything right': War Memorial launches new Anzac Hall and Afghanistan galleries
Speaking to the media on arrival, Mr Beazley praised the memorial's director Matt Anderson stewardship of the "magnificent" redevelopment. "This is our most sacred site, and this honours that sacred character absolutely," he said. "It's come in basically without much of a price increase," he said. "It's on time, and it does the job brilliantly.
The one word uttered by Pauline Hanson that has Angus Taylor stumped
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has refused to back Australia's longstanding policy of multiculturalism after Pauline Hanson called for it to be scrapped. Subscribe now for unlimited access. or signup to continue reading EOFY SAVE 50% All articles from our website & app The digital version of Today's Paper Crosswords, Sudoku and Trivia Senator Hanson told the National Press Club last week: "We are a multiracial society, but we must be monocultural.
'Don't want to spend my life in debt': when Leila graduates uni, she'll owe $80,000
Leila Clarke is in her third year of a double degree in law and international relations at the Australian National University. When she graduates, she will have a HECS debt of about $80,000 plus indexation. It's a sum on par with a small house deposit and, while she didn't allow herself to dwell on this when deciding what to study, the task of paying it off feels daunting. Leila Clarke will graduate with a HECS debt of about $80,000.
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson said to go to the Kingo to talk to her supporters, so we did
This masthead took her advice and spoke with a dozen patrons at the Kingston Hotel at lunchtime on Thursday, to test her theory and see if the national polling that put Senator Hanson as Australia's preferred prime minister held up in a safe Labor electorate. Most expressed displeasure with the major parties, with many upset that the Albanese government was abolishing negative gearing on established residential properties.
Police investigate GetUp protest banner amid David Sharaz allegations
The National Press Club said in a statement that the incident had been referred to police. "It appears that two persons entered the club building [on Tuesday] afternoon without permission and installed a separate drop-down screen in front of our media wall/light box," the statement said. "A further person present during the address activated a remote device to trigger the unfurling of the coiled banner ...
'I try to keep out of Canberra', Hanson says while listing agencies she would like to abolish
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has declared that she doesn't much like Canberra, but says her right-wing party has a strong base of support in the ACT. Speaking at the National Press Club in Barton, the party leader - who this month overtook Anthony Albanese as preferred prime minister in a Resolve poll - accused the federal government of letting public servants run the show and said she would abolish agencies if given the chance.
'We don't do stunts': Pauline Hanson's NPC speech crashed by protest banner
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson's address to the National Press Club was disrupted by a protest banner criticising her party's opposition to a minimum wage increase. Subscribe now for unlimited access.
'Fight back': Protesters to rally outside National Press Club during Hanson's speech
Left-wing protesters are set to rally outside the National Press Club in Barton on Wednesday as One Nation leader Pauline Hanson delivers her inaugural leader's address. Subscribe now for unlimited access.
'I know it seems a bit weird': Liberals pass motion backing 'noble mission' of the APS
"I know it seems a bit weird for the Liberals to be doing this, but this is what we're doing," Mr Parton said in a video posted to social media after probing the ACT government in the Legislative Assembly over its public sector job cuts.
'It really isn't enough': How Anthony makes ends meet in Canberra earning $26.55 an hour
Anthony Adams doesn't run a car, or splurge on luxuries. The 55-year-old retail worker gets by on one of Australia's lowest award wages in the nation's expensive capital city, doing shift work at a major supermarket. "I look after the trolleys and the cleaning," Mr Adams told The Canberra Times. Anthony Adams says the increase to minimum award wages is welcome. Picture by Keegan Carroll "I actually really enjoy the physical side of it.
Senate estimates: Defence chief to be grilled on AUKUS changes
Good morning and welcome back to Senate estimates, week two, day two. First up, we have officials from Defence, Health, the Department of Workplace Relations and Industry, Science and Resources. Later on, we'll be hearing from Treasury, Comcare, Safe Work, the Australian Submarine Agency and the Australian Signals Directorate. The Canberra Times will keep you up to date with live coverage throughout the day. Read the blog above. It may take a minute to appear.
Sarah can't get out of the house by herself. She's anxious about Mark Butler's plan
"I used to get Christmas cards saying 'you saved my life'," she tells The Canberra Times. Now that she's the one who needs help, she relies on the National Disability Insurance Scheme. "I've got a powered wheelchair, so I need support to go out of the house," she says. "I need someone to help me. I can't lift my own chair." Sarah is one of 12,597 Canberrans on the NDIS, and she's anxious about the Albanese government's plan for dramatic cuts to save $35 billion over a decade.
'You can't do that here': Nationals MP Michael McCormack clashes with punter outside Canberra venue
Nationals MP and former deputy prime minister Michael McCormack has been involved in an altercation outside a Canberra venue. Michael McCormack got into a tussle with a punter at Eastlake's. Pictures by Dion Georgopoulos, Bernard Humphreys Sky News aired the footage, filmed by political editor Andrew Clennell out the front of the Eastlake Football Club in Kingston after last night's NRL State of Origin game, showing Mr McCormack arguing with an irate group of men.
CSIRO announces 59 roles will be cut from these research areas
The CSIRO has told staff today that it will cut 59 roles as part of a merger of its health and biosecurity and Australian animal health laboratory research units. A spokesperson said the new Biosecurity Research Unit "better positions CSIRO to make the most of its unique combination of expertise at the intersection of animal, human and plant health, as well as shared infrastructure including ACDP." CSIRO has announced the next round of cuts as part of 350 roles being slashed.
Expect fewer post offices, AusPost chief executive says - but won't say how many
Australia Post boss Paul Graham says more post offices will close, but won't say how many. Subscribe now for unlimited access. or signup to continue reading EOFY SAVE 50% All articles from our website & app The digital version of Today's Paper Crosswords, Sudoku and Trivia He claims the closure at Tharwa, south of Canberra, is not the national carrier's fault. Australia Post chief executive Paul Graham in estimates.
'Too hard basket': Albanese govt to overhaul $2b-a-year employment services outsourcing
The Albanese government is set to overhaul the $2 billion-a-year employment services system, which is failing to get unemployed Australians into jobs. Announcing the plan in her National Press Club address in Canberra on Wednesday, Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth will pledge to end a "one-size-fits-all approach" to jobseekers, calling the changes "the biggest reform to our employment services system in 30 years". Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth.
BoM executive reveals astronomical number of complaints about $96.3m website
Bureau of Meteorology chief executive Stuart Minchin has revealed the astronomical volume of complaints received about its controversial $96.3 million website redesign.
Barr dismisses concerns about bracket creep wiping out public sector wage rise
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr has brushed aside concerns that the Albanese government's position on income tax could wipe out pay rises for public sector workers. As his government negotiates a new pay deal with the territory's public servants - including teachers, who walked off the job on Friday - Mr Barr declined to back NSW Premier Chris Minns's criticism of federal Labor's failure to hand bigger tax cuts to income earners.
'Machiavellian implications': explosive leaked solicitor's letter exposes Canberra Liberals' factional war
Adam Morris with wife Deborah Morris, and inset, Adam Wojtonis. Pictures by Keegan Carroll, LinkedIn The letter refers to a decision by the committee to send two complaints to an independent investigator, understood to have occurred after Canberra Liberals director Adam Wojtonis raised a conflict of interest. "A vote was taken to refer the matter without a scintilla of information indicating the nature of the matter which was being referred," it said.
'Time of flux': ACT Independent Senator David Pocock leaves door open to big political move
ACT Independent Senator David Pocock has left the door open to forming a political party with fellow independents, confirming talks within the movement to join forces. ACT independent senator David Pocock, pictured campaigning with independent candidate Michelle Milthorpe in Albury during the Farrer byelection, has confirmed talks about forming a party.
'Kick up the bum': the 'forgotten community' about to lose their local post office
Mandy Curtis says Tharwa deserves to keep its licensed post office. Picture by Keegan Carroll "It's really a forgotten community out here, and it's just unfair on us," Ms Curtis told The Canberra Times. "We have fires, we have floods, we have droughts, that's all part and parcel ... but this is another little kick up the bum." Australia Post has proposed that the LPO, which handles 6000 postal items a year, be replaced with a community postal agent.
The controversial budget shift treating startups as 'cash cows', stifling dreams
Aqeel Akber and Mei Weng Brough-Smyth are opposed to capital gains tax changes. Picture by Karleen Minney Canberrans who took a risk to invest their money and time into start-up ventures should "get a return for the effort they put in," Akber told this masthead. "Now they've devalued our company, so it's just like, what, what's the point?" he said.
Here are the 17 roads and intersections to be fixed up with ACT black spot funding
The federal government is giving the ACT $6.7 million to help make some of its most crash-prone roads safer, out of $150 million being allocated across Australia. Some of Canberra's most notorious intersections are among 17 projects to be funded in 2026-27 through the national black spot program, revealed on Wednesday. A car rests on its side at the intersection of Hindmarsh Dr and Yamba Dr in 2018.
Ditch the car? Your next trip between Sydney and Canberra might be on a high-speed train
Explore Travel/Destinations/Australia The project aims to speed up the 4.5-hour journey. Senator Katy Gallagher, federal Transport Minister Catherine King and ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr. Pictures The Canberra Times Is this the end of the Sydney-Canberra flight or the 4.5-hour car journey? The long-neglected Canberra to Sydney railway line is a step closer to crucial upgrades needed to slash the trip between the two capitals.
Prime Minister reveals how much tech companies will be levied if they refuse to pay for news
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has released long-awaited details of his plan to impose a levy on tech companies that refuse to pay media companies for news. Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Australian War Memorial responds to 'latest development' in Ben Roberts-Smith saga
The Australian War Memorial is preparing to make another update to its Ben Roberts-Smith display after a former Australian Defence Force member, understood to be the decorated former special forces soldier, was arrested on Tuesday. Subscribe now for unlimited access.
'Fuelled confusion': Angus Taylor gets his right of reply to PM's national address
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has used his right of reply to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's televised national address to call for "clarity and leadership". Subscribe now for unlimited access.
'Go about your business and your life, as normal': PM's message to Australia as fuel security crisis drags on
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has fronted Australians to urge calm as the war in the Middle East strains petrol and diesel supply and spikes prices, in a rare televised address in which he also acknowledged that coming months "may not be easy" as the fuel security crisis drags on. Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Nationals leader Matt Canavan reveals new approach to working from home
Nationals leader Matt Canavan has announced that he wants public and private sector professionals to be able to work from home, to drive population growth in the regions. Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Barnaby Joyce calls for fuel rationing as Australia's petrol crisis drags on
Barnaby Joyce has called for petrol rationing to protest Australia's food supply and says the Coalition he was a part of should have done more to secure fuel reserves when in government. Subscribe now for unlimited access. or signup to continue reading BUY 6 MTHS / GET 6 FREE All articles from our website & app The digital version of Today's Paper Crosswords, Sudoku and Trivia "We have to have a plan so that those semi-trailers ...
'Disgraceful failure': Iran blasts Australia as three players reverse asylum claims
Iran has blasted Australia after three more members of its women's soccer team reversed their claims for asylum to return home, seizing on the decision to attack the West. Subscribe now for unlimited access.
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