About Ian Bushnell
Ian Bushnell is a career journalist and a former News Editor and Chief of Reporting staff at The Canberra Times, where he was at the centre of some of the capital’s biggest stories.
A Canberra resident since 1995, he and his partner have raised three children here and takes a keen interest in politics, urban development, health, education and sustainability issues.
He has found Canberra to be the most liveable city in Australia, and that it’s a reputation worth fighting for.
He enjoys the ACT’s bush environment and its rich cultural offerings including music, theatre and sport, although as a Collingwood supporter the Giants will always be that other Sydney team.
A lover of fine reds, he believes Canberra is blessed to have so many great wineries on our doorstep.
All Articles
Opinion
Who would have thought that Canberra's Nick Kyrgios would morph from tennis brat and national embarrassment to statesman of the game in such a short space of time? It seems like only yesterday that we were ready to disown Kyrgios for his on-court antics despite his prodigious talent with the racquet. Now our Nick, with a hint of maturity, a...
Opinion
It's time Australians acquired some perspective on the COVID-19 pandemic and its fallout on our way of life and economy. Experience is relative, so one shouldn't dismiss the effects of testing, travel restrictions, lockdowns, and quarantine on individuals, families and businesses. But the frightening numbers coming out of the UK and US are more than just sobering - they should...
Environment
The ACT Government has acknowledged that wild horses have crossed into Namadgi National Park from NSW where they are protected under a controversial heritage status. Fortunately, the government believes the animals, declared a pest in the ACT, have returned to the adjacent Kosciuszko National Park, but the incursion highlights the threat posed to Namadgi's ecosystems by the wild horses, which are...
Opinion
Today is a day for Australians to give thanks for our system of government and how easily and efficiently we exercise our vote in this country. The morning after the events in that other national capital, supposedly the world's bastion of democracy and freedom, it is worth reflecting the benefits compulsory voting had conferred on Australia, nurturing a culture of...
News
The borders are clanging shut on NSW as its COVID-19 outbreak spreads, but so far the ACT has not been caught up in the new travel restrictions, other than Canberrans being urged to stay away from the NSW hotspots. Both Victoria, now battling its own Sydney-sourced cluster in Melbourne, and South Australia, will reimpose hard borders with NSW - Victoria...
News
Canberra Airport is ready to lead the resumption of quarantine-free flights to New Zealand and will be pushing for a January take-off. Chief executive Stephen Byron said New Zealand's announcement that it would be ready to reopen its border to Australia in the New Year was the positive step the Airport had been looking for. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda...
Opinion
The revelations about alleged war crimes in Afghanistan by members of Australia's Special Air Service regiment is a big wake-up call to those who have been drawn to the cult of the Digger in recent decades. The Brereton report has shocked the Defence establishment and cast a shadow over an institution that has not just been held in high regard...
Property
A stunning property on the NSW South Coast that was designed and built to be a lasting feature of its environment and to take advantage of its spectacular beach location has taken out the 2020 HIA-CSR ACT and Southern NSW Home of the Year. The three-level family home at Guerilla Bay was designed by small Canberra firm Steve Andrea Architecture and built...
News
The Australian Institute of Architects has called on the Federal Environment Minister to block approval of the Australian War Memorial’s $500 million redevelopment proposal arguing that the demolition of Anzac Hall violates legislated heritage protections. The proposal is currently undergoing assessment as a ‘controlled action’ under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) with the public display of final...
News
The Federal Government's own heritage watchdog has come out in opposition to the Australian War Memorial's $500 million expansion plans. The Australian Heritage Council says that while the Memorial's motivation to create extra space to tell the story of recent and ongoing military operations is commendable, it believes that the listed heritage values of the site will be impacted and...
Food & Wine
It has been a year of loss and isolation for Canberra region winegrowers but, like the vines themselves, green shoots of recovery are emerging. One of the region's most popular wine destinations, Yarrh Wines at Murrumbateman, took stock after the loss of the 2020 vintage to bushfire smoke and then during the COVID-19 restrictions to re-think its cellar door offering...
Property
Just over 100 rural blocks are going on the market in Murrumbateman wine country to meet rocketing demand for lifestyle sites on Canberra's outskirts. The Fields of Murrumbateman joint venture between Jure Domazet of Doma Group and Shane Quinn from Melbourne-based Quintessential Equity will release just over 40 hectares next to Shaw Wines in two stages. Director, Residential Land, at Colliers International,...
News
Canberra Airport has added another destination to its growing suite of holiday routes, announcing its first direct flights to Port Macquarie on the NSW Mid North Coast. The Airport has partnered with Port Macquarie Airport and regional airline Fly Pelican, which is already flying to Ballina-Byron from Canberra. From 1 November, Fly Pelican will fly direct twice a week from Canberra...
News
Canberrans will be able to fly direct to Hobart for the first time since 2013 after confirmation that Canberra-owned Link Airways will commence four return services a week from 3 December or sooner, growing to 11 next year. Canberra Airport said the exact timing of the start of services depended on when the Tasmanian Government decided to open borders to people from...
News
Singapore Airlines has pulled the plug on its Canberra service as part of a global downsizing of operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and may not return even if international travel restrictions ease. The Canberra service began three-and-a-half years ago and originally included Wellington. That service was switched to Melbourne in 2018 but the link to the New Zealand capital has...
Opinion
It's been a strange but instructive six or so months since COVID-19 disrupted our lives, some more so than others. It's either a black cosmic joke or there are a few lessons we can take out of the experience. Here are just five that I hope will resonate: 1. Don't mess with nature. Hey, it wasn't our fault. It's the...