Politics
Victoria
‘Fuel to the fire’: WorkCover hikes put heat on health service budgets
Victoria’s health services face having to cut staff or services amid a budget squeeze they say has been worsened by the recent surge in workers’ compensation premiums – and the threat of more to come.
- by Kieran Rooney
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Electricity
The renewable investment that shows government abandoned a key SEC promise
In its first investment, the State Electricity Commission has failed to meet a government election promise for majority ownership of renewable energy projects.
- by Kieran Rooney
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Road safety
Mobile speed camera operators to strike for 48 hours over new year
Mobile speed camera operators will walk off the job, including stoppages on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
- by Kieran Rooney
The five suburbs set to climb sky-high with the Suburban Rail Loop
Draft visions for the first stage of the $34.5 billion project show where the state is likely to encourage high-rise developments – some 20 storeys tall.
- by Kieran Rooney and Patrick Hatch
The people bucking tradition and taking a big-picture approach to Christmas
A trip to the movies has become a Christmas tradition for some, while others just sought something to do as Melbourne shut down for the festive season.
- by Benjamin Preiss
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Development
Big build or housing crisis? Victoria has to choose, industry says
Victoria’s goal of 80,000 new homes a year won’t be achieved while the state’s Big Build projects are driving up the cost of materials and workers, industry figures warn.
- by Kieran Rooney and Rachel Eddie
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Planning
Credit agency warns Victoria over further budget blowouts
The opposition has asked the auditor-general to examine government projects as economists warn of further blowouts damaging the state’s finances.
- by Kieran Rooney
Opinion
Infrastructure
Anyone could have predicted Victoria’s billion-dollar cost blowouts
Victorians can’t make a fair political choice when they are forced to vote on rushed projects for which costs are badly miscalculated.
- by Jago Dodson
Rising interest rates threaten to pummel Victoria’s budget
The state government’s economic modelling reveals that more interest rate pain could have a devastating impact on Victoria’s already precarious financial position.
- by Josh Gordon
Twelvefold surge in demand for Melbourne food bank on the brink
Collingwood charity The Wellington provides more than 500 people with fresh fruit and produce every week. It is facing imminent closure.
- by Broede Carmody
Exclusive
Planning
Councils ready to give up some planning powers – if the state does the same
Victoria’s councils have broken with tradition to call for new body to plan Melbourne.
- by Royce Millar