Prizes for cream of Canberra
Liberal MP Bridget Archer and independent senator David Pocock have won prizes for political leadership, recognised for their “bravery” and collaborative approach to politics.
Ms Archer will receive the 2023 McKinnon Prize for political leader of the year, a collaboration between the Susan McKinnon Foundation and the University of Melbourne.
The award was judged by a panel including ABC host Patricia Karvelas, former cabinet minister Arthur Sinodinos and former SA premier Jay Weatherill.
Senator Pocock won the emerging political leader of the year prize for his values-driven approach to handling his position on the crossbench.
Ms Archer who has repeatedly been willing to cross the floor to vote with Labor and advocated for modernisation of her party, was praised for her “longstanding courage in standing up for her principles”.
Senator Pocock described his work as an extension of the political leadership ACT residents have shown for decades, “from their support for renewable energy and strong action on climate change, to marriage equality and more recently in the Voice referendum”.
A Gold Coast man is facing dangerous driving charges and has had his motorbike seized by police after allegedly driving at eye-popping speeds on the M1.
Ryan Dymond from Upper Coomera has been charged with one count of evasion and two counts of dangerous operation of a vehicle involving excessive speeding or taking part in unlawful race or unlawful speed trial.
The charges came after police investigated videos shared to Instagram that appeared to show a motorbike performing stunts and travelling on the M1 at speeds of up to 299km/h.
Superintendent Peter Miles from Gold Coast police said someone would have to be a “fool” with a “death wish” to travel on a motorbike at such speeds.
“I think that puts a lot of people’s lives at risk, including (the rider),” he said. “There is no place for that kind of behaviour on the M1 or on any Queensland roads.
“If you want to ride like that then take it to private property where you can do it and not put anyone at risk except yourself.”
Supt Miles said Dymond was arrested after the videos were brought to police attention by members of the public.
“As soon as we are made aware of it, we follow it up, and that’s what’s happened in this case,” he said.
“We were made aware of it by a member of the public and as a result of that our highway patrol investigators have gone out and spoken to this male and as a result of that he’s lost his bike, it’s been impounded, and he’s appearing in court.
“… If you want to go to an early grave, then that (riding a motorbike at high speed) is the kind of behaviour you want to participate in. There’s no place for it on Queensland roads, it’s as simple as that. You put everyone at risk.
“People swapping lanes, they’re not going to see you when you’re coming up at them at warp one speed, it’s just a recipe for danger and disaster.”
Dymond will appear at Southport Magistrates Court on March 28.