Go west: Victoria's $5.5b solo effort for distributor
With no federal funding on the way, Andrews government earmarks $1.46 billion over four years for road project, which will connect the West Gate Freeway with Citylink.
Latest Victoria news
Fears for missing Melbourne children
![Tanika Seymour](/web/20160415161622im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/7/s/2/a/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.go7rkr.png/1460724175730.jpg)
Marika Dobbin 10:42 PM Fears are growing for a 10-year-old Melbourne girl and her 13-year-old brother who have been missing for more than a week.
Melbourne fugitive charged over drugs, guns, assaulting police
![Stock. Pictured - Police tape. 140209RG34 Picture: ROB GUNSTONE](/web/20160415161622im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/c/z/x/5/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.go7sw8.png/1460722419377.jpg)
Nick Toscano 10:13 PM An alleged drug trafficker accused of leading police on a highly reckless car chase through the city – throwing cash out the window and waving a fake gun at pedestrians – has been charged with 44 offences.
Metro Trains to make big profit from sky rail without going to tender
![An artist's impression of sky rail.](/web/20160415161622im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/n/v/j/l/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.go7ky3.png/1460710426476.jpg)
Adam Carey 6:53 PM Melbourne's rail operator Metro has secretly been put in charge almost half a billion dollars worth of work on the contentious sky rail project, and will reap tens of millions in profit without going to tender.
Former Essendon chairman to take on major role
![Set for new role: Paul Little.](/web/20160415161622im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/k/f/t/5/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.go7qqe.png/1460711998394.jpg)
Caroline Wilson 6:46 PM Former Essendon chairman Paul Little is on the verge of winning the influential role of overseeing the state's $21 billion tourism and events industry.
Shot in the arm for Drug Court
![Courts thumbnail generic](/web/20160415161622im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/z/q/y/i/3/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.go78fe.png/1460706722693.jpg)
Bianca Hall 12:15 AM Its opponents see it as a touchy-feely option, but the Dandenong Drug Court gets results, producing a 30 per cent drop in recidivism after two years.
New herd targets kosher markets, but ruffles feathers
![Rabbi Meir Rabi and Chris Nixon inspect a herd of cattle raised for the kosher market.](/web/20160415161622im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/7/i/3/r/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.go7g44.png/1460706547746.jpg)
Darren Gray 5:49 PM A Victorian business has developed a herd of cattle and a flock of sheep it hopes will generate kosher meat sales around the world at cheaper prices.
Balloons fill the sky as 'amazing' community honours Sanaya Sahib
![The sky above the West Heidelberg was filled with ballons.](/web/20160415161622im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/7/6/q/z/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.go76pi.png/1460733206408.jpg)
Chris Johnston 4:51 PM 'We are all grieving' says a relative as a crowd of hundreds heads to a soccer pitch in West Heidelberg to remember dead toddler.
April's autumn warmth won't last the weekend
![Friday was a beautiful, if not record-breaking, day in Melbourne.](/web/20160415161622im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/7/k/o/c/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.go7g36.png/1460702299671.jpg)
Neelima Choahan 4:38 PM Friday was a hot start to a mild weekend in Melbourne, with temperatures predicted to remain below 20 degrees on Saturday and Sunday.
Friday night delays ahead after incident on Belgrave line
![Trains have been suspended between Ringwood and Upper Ferntree Gully.](/web/20160415161622im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/z/y/0/j/3/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.go7inp.png/1460703374704.jpg)
Catherine Chisholm, Neelima Choahan 4:28 PM Buses are replacing trains on a suburban rail line after an incident in Boronia.
Law student wins her fight to kill off 'creepy' Facebook page ranking hot Melbourne University students
![Laura Blandthorn, a law student, is campaigning to get a Facebook page taken down, called 'Hotties of Melbourne ...](/web/20160415161622im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/7/5/7/b/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.go7hid.png/1460704377849.jpg)
Timna Jacks, Henrietta Cook 4:19 PM Social media page that rated students' appearance has been taken down, four days after the launch of a petition calling for its removal.
Two prisoners charged with New Year's Eve drive-by murder
![Nathan Knight, 24, was shot in the face while he sat in a car parked in Lalor on New Year's Eve.](/web/20160415161622im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/z/5/4/d/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.go7box.png/1460698516037.jpg)
Nino Bucci 3:34 PM Two men on remand for other offences have been charged in relation to the drive-by shooting murder of Nathan Knight in Lalor on New Year's Eve.
Man arrested over dramatic police chase that ended in CBD laneway
![A CCTV image of Sean Paul Murphy, the man police believe led them on a chase through the city.](/web/20160415161622im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/u/d/x/8/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.go79oj.png/1460697778888.jpg)
Tom Cowie 3:22 PM Police have arrested a man who allegedly led them on a dramatic car chase through the inner suburbs before dumping his luxury car in a city laneway.
Brown coal mine bonds increased in Hazelwood fire response
![The Hazelwood coal mine in Morwell.](/web/20160415161622im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/7/8/b/i/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.go76u2.png/1460694105832.jpg)
Tom Arup 2:21 PM Victoria's big brown coal players will each have to stump up tens of millions of dollars as extra security for the eventual clean up of their Latrobe Valley mines, with the Andrews government agreeing to dramatically increase rehabilitation bonds.
Watch out! Cars that can drive themselves are closer than you think
![The Holden-built Opel GT concept car was unveiled at the Geneva motor show in March](/web/20160415161622im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/f/m/e/a/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.go6fao.png/1460692736312.jpg)
Jason Dowling 1:58 PM Melbourne car designer set for plum post in Detroit says we'll be seeing driverless cars on our roads within 'a year or so'.
Angry and confused, family grieves teen Cayleb Hough
![Cayleb Hough's remains were found in a mine.](/web/20160415161622im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/3/y/y/4/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.go724a.png/1460690438744.jpg)
Daniella Miletic 1:20 PM Family say they won't give up the fight to bring to justice the 'evil monsters' who killed the teenager and dumped his body in a disused mineshaft.
'Famous' Parkville tree to be turned into park furniture
![Residents and Melbourne Greens councillor Rohan Leppert with ancient tree to be cut down for the Tullamarine widening ...](/web/20160415161622im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/7/2/4/d/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.go69ma.png/1460690149156.jpg)
Aisha Dow 1:15 PM A six-figure sum will be paid in compensation for the destruction of a gumtree that will be cut down to make way for the CityLink Tulla widening project.
Fancy a short black at 1986 prices? Try Marios, for one special day only
![Massimo Di Sora started at Marios in 1987 – in fact, he was the first person they hired.](/web/20160415161622im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/6/8/n/a/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.go66u1.png/1460716453845.jpg)
Chris Johnston 1:05 PM Brunswick Street cafe which famously earned the ire of comedian Jerry Sienfeld, marks it's 30th birthday this month. Waiter Massimo Di Sora has been a fixture for much of that time
'Monolithic' apartment plan for West Melbourne
![An artist's impression of Trenerry Property Group's proposal for 177-231 Rosslyn Street](/web/20160415161622im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/6/s/2/u/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.go6ros.png/1460689507070.jpg)
Aisha Dow 1:05 PM That's how Melbourne City Council planners have described the big development.
Man catches car thief in the act - and films it
![The moment Josh Denney caught he thief in the act.](/web/20160415161622im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/7/4/n/p/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.go74gv.png/1460733989534.png)
Caroline Zielinski 1:03 PM A Melbourne man who surprised a would-be thief in his car has filmed the exchange on video, showing him calmly ask the pilferer to explain why he was in the vehicle and to return the items he stole.
Suspicious fire destroys historic Geelong church
![The Presbyterian church on Pakington Street was destroyed by fire on Friday morning.](/web/20160415161622im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/6/w/x/1/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.go6wtv.png/1460681256074.jpg)
Daniella Miletic 10:47 AM A suspicious fire has ripped through a church and hall just west of Geelong.
Hospital baby deaths climb
![A second review has found another five infant deaths could have been prevented.](/web/20160415161622im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/6/8/g/n/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.go6xjl.png/1460676672801.jpg)
Julia Medew 8:43 AM Another five babies have been found to have died in potentially avoidable circumstances at Bacchus Marsh Hospital.
Melbourne Express: Friday, April 15, 2016
![Melbourne Express icons](/web/20160415161622im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/f/8/g/2/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.go6w5c.png/1460677222365.jpg)
Craig Butt 5:46 AM Kick-start your day with live news, travel updates, weather and more.
Baby death count at Bacchus Marsh hospital could climb
![Seven babies died potentially preventable deaths at Bacchus Marsh Hospital in 2013 and 2014.](/web/20160415161622im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/j/8/n/l/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.go6v8e.png/1460644745658.jpg)
Nick Toscano The number of potentially preventable baby deaths at the troubled Bacchus Marsh hospital could be higher than first thought, as authorities work through the findings of the latest major inquiry.
Bail for women accused of bashing ambulance paramedic
![Caris Underwood, one of three people involved in the assault.](/web/20160415161622im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/6/p/6/k/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.go6j0s.png/1460634792438.jpg)
Adam Cooper A veteran ambulance paramedic feared he would be killed when attacked on the job by two women and a boy, in an assault that could end his career, a court has heard.
Infrastructure funding less sensible than ever
![Josh Gordon dinkus.](/web/20160415161622im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/2/t/x/o/4/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.go6nza.png/1460653952759.jpg)
Josh Gordon, Analysis Why one project is worthy of billions in Commonwealth support and another gets not a cent is a complete mystery.
Teen charged with running international drug-trafficking syndicate
![Four importations linked to the woman were intercepted between November and March](/web/20160415161622im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/j/x/d/r/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.go6sxw.png/1460628836944.jpg)
Nick Toscano A teenager may face life in jail after being charged with running an international drug-trafficking syndicate that allegedly used air mail and cargo to smuggle crystal meth into Melbourne.
Judge wants family of 'crooks' investigated
![Some of the properties in dispute were in Dresden.](/web/20160415161622im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/1/m/y/d/4/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.go68aq.png/1460627997325.jpg)
Mark Russell Melbourne lawyer ordered to pay $25,000 fine over his dealings with clients caught up in $30m dispute over historic buildings in Prague and Dresden.
Woman's body found in Traralgon, injured man under police guard
![Rosemary and Alan Gibson contributed significantly to their local community, a neighbor said.](/web/20160415161622im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/6/s/u/5/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.go607m.png/1460631678793.jpg)
Patrick Hatch, Tom Cowie Homicide detectives called in after woman in her 60s is found dead at a house in Gippsland.
Fresh elections for Geelong next year
![Geelong mayor Darryn Lyons is facing the sack.](/web/20160415161622im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/5/n/z/m/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.go64aw.png/1460645993689.jpg)
Clay Lucas and Richard Willingham Geelong council will be sacked on Thursday, but the Andrews government has been forced to back down from its plan to dismiss it for four years.
Victorian government bids for NRL decider
![Out of tune: The State of Origin crowd at the MCG.](/web/20160415161622im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/h/t/8/r/3/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.go6qoz.png/1460690305387.jpg)
Caroline Wilson and Daniel Cherny The MCG could host the NRL grand final after the Victorian government launched a sensational bid to uproot the game from Sydney.