Politics
Victoria
No clear plan to fix mental health system crisis, says report
Victoria’s acute care system for mental illness is starved of funding, short of staff and in continual crisis mode, Victoria’s auditor-general says.
- by Adam Carey
Latest
Tim Pallas
'Conflict of interest 101': Pallas mauled over Transurban shareholding
Opposition demands investigation after revelation of Treasurer's shareholding in toll road operator set to reap billions from tunnel deal with government.
- by Noel Towell and Benjamin Preiss
Roads
Prime minister splashes $70m for traffic relief in key marginal seat
Scott Morrison is promising a congestion-busting upgrade to ease traffic in Melbourne's politically sensitive outer south-east.
- by Benjamin Preiss and Timna Jacks
Water
Ash from fires threatens Melbourne's water as large desal order placed
As ash from recent bushfires threatens to foul the Thomson dam, Melbourne's main water source, the Andrews government has ordered 150 gigalitres of desal water.
- by Adam Carey
Victorian budget
Property market slump takes $585m chunk out of government coffers
Housing market slump and public sector wages bill have combined to cut more than half a billion dollars from state funds, budget update released on Friday says.
- by Benjamin Preiss and Adam Carey
Exclusive
Fire
Two towers, two fires - but both signed off by same engineering firm
A fire safety engineering firm blamed by VCAT for a 2014 flammable cladding blaze in Docklands also approved the Spencer Street tower that burnt last month.
- by Clay Lucas
Updated
Ristevski case
Borce Ristevski admits killing wife Karen, dumping body in bushland
Melbourne man Borce Ristevski has sensationally admitted to killing his wife Karen, pleading guilty to the manslaughter ahead of his trial.
- by Tammy Mills, Adam Cooper and Melissa Cunningham
Opinion
Baby bundle is an expensive waste of money
There is no good reason why taxpayers should pay for nappy bags or teething rings for babies who are born into families that are comfortably off.
- by Margaret Fitzherbert
Nationals
Victorian Nationals leader takes swipe at Barnaby Joyce
Victorian Nationals leader Peter Walsh has weighed in to federal leadership tensions, urging Barnaby Joyce to show more respect.
- by Benjamin Preiss and Michael Koziol
Gender equality
'Discussions without fear': Coalition MPs defend men-only club memberships
Coalition MPs have defended Melbourne’s men-only clubs as a safe space where privacy is respected, after Daniel Andrews slammed the “archaic” institutions.
- by Adam Carey
Exclusive
Climate policy
Car travel and a taste for meat fuel rise in greenhouse gas emissions
Victoria’s greenhouse gas emissions are rising in defiance of the Andrews government’s renewable energy push, mostly due to surging traffic on the roads and cattle, sheep and pig farming.
- by Adam Carey