Melbourne Express is a live blog bringing you what you need to hit the day running - news, weather and transport updates, and compelling content from The Age and beyond.
NSW, Victoria booming but $80 billion budget dispute shows no sign of being fixed
Gareth Hutchens NSW has the fastest-growing economy in Australia and Victoria's showing fine job stats, but all may not be rosy.
Former Liberal Leader John Hewson critical of Tony Abbott's response to Bronwyn Bishop expenses scandal
Jane Lee, Gareth Hutchens, James Bullen, Rachel Browne Former Liberal leader John Hewson says the Prime Minister cannot continue to support Speaker Bronwyn Bishop throughout her expenses scandal, warning it will come at "enormous political cost."
Osteopath Robert Anthony John Black banned for groping women
Stephanie Gardiner One patient was a 12-year-old girl being treated for "knock knees", another was a woman recovering from a car accident, and yet another was pregnant and in severe pain.
Sydney unplugged: Cafes force punters to power down
Kieran Gair The love affair between coffee shops and laptop-wielding customers may be dying out as coffee shop owners revolt against Sydneysiders' demand to be wired up.
Catholic archbishop warned against 'tolerating' gay students
Henrietta Cook Victoria's most senior Catholic said he did not want the church's schools to accept and tolerate that some students were gay.
Increase GST to 15 per cent and broaden to raise $256 billion: accountants
Jessica Irvine The Abbott Government should strike a quarter-of-a-trillion-dollar "grand deal" to increase the GST to 15 per cent and remove all exemptions, in return for personal income tax cuts and greater spending on pensions, health and education.
Grill'd burger stores facing legal action amid pay row
Nick Toscano Sacked burger chain employee says she was targeted for speaking out against a WorkChoices-era agreement that denies staff penalty rates and pays below-award wages.
Leaked emails reveal Mafia-linked ALP councillor Teti's improper conduct
Nick McKenzie, Richard Baker Controversial mafia-linked ALP local councillor Michael Teti improperly sought a council permit for a businessman who Mr Teti was secretly getting paid by to work as his private lawyer.
Advanced test for fetal abnormalities too costly for most women
Craig Butt Academics call for non-invasive prenatal test carried out at about 10 weeks to be made more widely available.