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
'Explosions': Fire burning at school
Tammy Mills, Marissa Calligeros 4:21 PM A fire that ripped through ten classrooms at an exclusive Melbourne school was caused by an electrical fault.
Man injured after falling into construction pit at Epping
Neelima Choahan 3:58 PM Emergency crews are attempting to rescue a worker who has fallen four metres into a construction pit in Epping
Patrick Cronin murder investigation long and complex, say police
Adam Cooper 3:41 PM Police investigating the alleged murder of teenage footballer Patrick Cronin need to sift through about 100 hours of CCTV footage and speak to 100 witnesses, a court has heard.
Victoria Bushfires: Bushfire threatens communities in south-west
Liam Mannix 3:31 PM A bushfire burning out of control is threatening communities in Victoria's south-west.
Three accused of carjacking spree
Tom Cowie 2:04 PM Three men have been arrested over a series of terrifying carjackings involving a car allegedly fitted with fake blue and red police lights.
What courts don't get about family violence
Miki Perkins 1:51 PM Despite legal reforms, courts still accept claims that domestic homicides "come out of the blue" and overlook a history of family violence.
Public deserve the best deal on long-standing fire dispute
Richard Willingham 1:33 PM Giving in to the state's militant firefighters union after more than a year of political pain would be a major backdown for Premier Daniel Andrews.
Wall crashes down at North Melbourne construction site
Nick Toscano, Marissa Calligeros 1:33 PM A wall at a construction site has collapsed over a footpath on the fringe of Melbourne's CBD.
Man with big head who preyed on young girls online jailed for 10 years
Mark Russell 1:29 PM An alcoholic storeman who retreated into the online world because he had a larger than normal head has had his jail sentence for child pornography charges increased on appeal to 10 years and five months.
Daniel Leong charged over Keat Enterprises scandal
Rania Spooner 1:15 PM Port Melbourne entrepreneur arrested at Sydney International Airport faces charges for more than 30 offences.
Party time for occupiers of East West Link homes in Collingwood
Clay Lucas 1:12 PM They arrived last month to occupy empty, government-owned houses in Collingwood bought for the East West Link and vacant for more than a year.
Accused killer attacked terrified family on train, court told
Mark Russell 1:06 PM Jake Fairest, one of three deaf people accused of murdering a profoundly deaf man who fell 12 metres from an apartment balcony, has been accused of attacking a terrified family on a train when out on bail.
Dock workers threatened with lock-out as strikes hit Melbourne waterfront
Nick Toscano 11:31 AM Australia's largest port operator has threatened to lock out its entire workforce nationwide for the first time since the infamous 1998 waterfront dispute.
Melbourne Girls Grammar students 'busted with ecstasy at formal'
Patrick Hatch 11:11 AM A Melbourne Girls' Grammar student has reportedly been expelled and two others suspended from the exclusive school after they were caught with drugs including ecstasy at a year 12 formal.
Melbourne Express: Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Deborah Gough 9:57 AM Kick-start your day with live news, travel updates, weather and more.
One-third of kindergartens below minimum standards, new report warns
Timna Jacks 9:43 AM More than 30 per cent of early learning services are not meeting minimum national standards, while 26 per cent have still not even been assessed, a new report warns.
Breakthrough Parkinson's disease blood test
Bridie Smith 6:00 AM A blood test to detect Parkinson's disease has been developed by Australian researchers, a breakthrough which will allow for earlier intervention and treatment of the debilitating condition.
Man charged over death of teenage footballer Patrick Cronin
Rania Spooner, Tom Cowie, Tammy Mills 9:55 PM A 33-year-old man has been charged over the death of teenage footballer Patrick Cronin who was allegedly punched in a wild pub brawl on the weekend.
Arrests over Chadstone guard gang bashing
Rania Spooner 9:02 PM Four men have been arrested over an alleged violent gang attack on a security guard at a Chadstone shop.
Patrick Cronin's family and friends speak about loss of 'beautiful boy'
Allison Worrall 7:40 PM The family of Patrick Cronin have spoken of their heartbreak and devastation at the loss of their 19-year-old son and brother.
Norlane death not considered suspicious
Nino Bucci and Tammy Mills 6:55 PM A mother of two found dead inside her suburban home was a sex worker who may have been working illegally from the property.
Melbourne Metro: South Yarra railway station must be included, rail expert finds
Clay Lucas, Adam Carey and Josh Gordon 6:39 PM Tens of thousands of extra commuters would benefit from an underground railway station at South Yarra, which could be built for as little as $400 million, new research has found.
Search for missing 14-year-old Natasha Boko
Rania Spooner 6:13 PM Police are calling for help to find 14-year-old Natasha Boko who has been missing for more than a week.
Nine-year-old girl allegedly grabbed by man at Melbourne school
Daniella Miletic, Tom Cowie, Allison Worrall 5:46 PM A young girl has been sexually assaulted by an unknown man lurking within school grounds at a Melbourne primary school.
Licences to grow medicinal cannabis expected to be available late this year
Darren Gray 5:28 PM The first licences allowing the cultivation of medicinal cannabis are expected to be available later this year, the platform for an industry designed to ease the pain of very sick people.
Shaken twin's death could have been prevented, coroner rules
Liam Mannix 5:25 PM Child health nurses failed to pick up the significance of unexplained bruising to the faces of two babies, one of whom later died, a Victorian coroner has ruled.
Darebin deputy mayor dethroned over 'Fat Natalie' comment
Aisha Dow 5:06 PM A Darebin Liberal councillor has been sacked as deputy mayor, and could face further disciplinary action, after making a "vile" and "offensive" comment about Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins on social media.
Autistic robber spared jail, but recruiter gets six years in prison
Adam Cooper 4:46 PM A young autistic man who felt manipulated into taking part in an armed robbery after initially thinking he was being asked to mow lawns has been spared jail.
BMW smashes into townhouses, parked cars
Marissa Calligeros Residents ran out of their homes with baseball bats and some called for a gun after an out-of control car careered into three townhouses and at least five cars in Melbourne's north.
Opinion
Andrews' port plan is a fraud on the west
Victoria is facing an infrastructure fiasco rivalling the desalination plant.
Indifference threatens a jewel in Victoria's heritage
In a crook of a hill outside Melbourne, a rare example of Victoria's heritage is crumbling.
A perfect storm led to hospital baby deaths
We must demand transparency and a change in attitude at Bacchus Marsh Hospital.
Hunt’s Melbourne 2200: on a road to nowhere
Environment Minister is still playing Abbott-style politics and his proposals ignore fiscal realities.
The urban myth we just can't shake off
We have the world's most urban culture but we see ourselves as red-dirters, outbackers, bushies.
Hail the fight for workplace safety
The decline in workplace deaths would have been unachievable without the vigilance of unions.
Fighting fire with fire: sometimes it goes wrong
The recent Lancefield bushfires highlight the need to have a plan and then use it.
A premier who keeps his promises? Really?
Premier Daniel Andrews has stuck to his guns, and his commitments.
Flash heatwave forebodes dangerous summer
In less than a week, the bushfire season has descended upon us.
Open letter to Gillon McLachlan
Victim of Brownless' "strippers" comment says the AFL chief should use his power to change the culture of The Footy Show.
Don't be fooled by Andrews' port trickery
Privatising the port to pay for level-crossing removals is a modern version of the pea and thimble trick.
Video
V/Line conductor filmed punching man
Passenger films a V/Line employee as he repeatedly kicks and punches a 46-year-old man at Broadford station.
Andrews wants Melbourne Metro cash from Turnbull
Daniel Andrews wants the allocated $3 billion for East West link to fund the Melbourne Metro.
Inside Australia's goat farming industry
We export the largest quantity of this meat in the world, but most Australians know little about goat farming.
