Canberra Now: Labor promises $200m for light rail; balloon spectacular
Good morning, Canberra.
I hope you all enjoyed a lovely long weekend, and for those who worked through, I hope you get a break some other time!
We're looking at a sunny top of 27 degrees today, with the rest of the week looking fairly similar.
Several balloons set to take flight for the Balloon Spectacular have tethered at Old Parliament House and will not be flying due to weather conditions. Some balloons have relocated to the Rock Gardens to reassess the conditions.
Let's look at what's making news today.
Shorten pledges $200m for light rail stage 2
Federal Labor would contribute $200 million to the second stage of Canberra's light rail project if elected, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has promised.
Mr Shorten is set to make the announcement on Tuesday alongside Chief Minister Andrew Barr and Labor's candidate for the seat of Canberra, Alicia Payne.
Funding for the light rail would be included in Labor's first budget if the party was to win government, and would be part of a suite of policies to create jobs through infrastructure projects.
Katie Burgess has the story here.
Balloons tow paddle boarders on the Spectacular's busiest day yet
If that photo doesn't have you wishing you'd got up early instead of sleeping in on a public holiday I don't know what will!
It's the third year Stand Up Paddle Canberra has had a social paddle to coincide with the balloon festival and the largest turnout so far.
Serena Coady has more amazing pictures and some videos here.
This is what's keeping Lachy in school
This is so heartwarming - two years ago, Lachlan Kelly-Hammond could barely get out of bed each morning for school.
The Canberra teenager was born with a heart condition so rare it has no name and experts suspect Lachy may be the only person in the world to have it. Mostly, it makes him tired, and he was also being bullied, which didn't help.
Through Menslink, things have really turned around.
Sherryn Groch has the full story here.
When Casuarina Sands claimed one young life, but spared another
The start of this story sounds like it could have come from my own summer, and probably from yours too.
A group of friends decide to go to Casuarina Sands for a barbecue and a swim, but then it all went wrong.
Peter Brewer has this moving story of how one of our favourite summer spots took a young life.
Tom Ross firms for 'fairytale' Brumbies debut
If you've grown up in Canberra wishing you could play for the Brumbies, then Tom Ross could be about to live your dream.
Wallabies prop Allan Alaalatoa is in danger of missing out with a wrist injury, and 20-year-old Ross could be thrown into the deep end to partner Les Leuluaialii-Makin in the tighthead rotation.
Caden Helmers has the full story here.