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Victorian budget
Sweeping hospital mergers on the table after Victoria’s bad-news budget
Victoria’s 76 health services could be slashed to 12 in an efficiency-driven overhaul revealed as the government dropped a budget notable for soaring debt, higher taxes, stalled projects and abandoned promises.
Breaking
Defamation
Lehrmann’s no-win, no-fee agreement with lawyers revealed in court
Network Ten sought access to documents revealing whether the former Liberal staffer had financial assistance in bringing his multimillion-dollar defamation case.
‘Our hearts are broken’: Parents of surfers killed in Mexico share their grief
The Australian brothers were on a surfing trip in Mexico when they were allegedly murdered by Mexican nationals attempting to steal car parts.
Editorial
Editorial
Victoria is driving towards a debt cliff. Here’s one way to hit the brakes
Projections that the state’s debt would rise from $135.9 billion this year to $187.8 billion by mid-2028 highlight a need for drastic action.
The Age's View
Editorial
‘We couldn’t stubbornly push on and pretend we can deliver’: Allan defends her first budget
More than 100 Victorian projects will be delayed as the government pushes back completion dates on schools, health and water infrastructure, and even the state’s Big Housing Build.
The president, the porn star and the payment: Stormy Daniels testifies in hush money trial
In another astonishing moment ahead of this year’s election, the porn star told a jury in explicit detail about her alleged sexual encounter with the former US president.
Prince Harry in UK but won’t visit father because King couldn’t find time
The Duke of Sussex had made little secret of his hopes to see his father, who was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer earlier this year.
Exclusive
University
Colleges told to stop recruiting fake overseas students
The Age revealed the rise of “ghost colleges” that attract offshore visa holders who want to work rather than undertake genuine study. This new move clears the way for legal sanctions against providers with poor track records.
Opinion
Road safety
I’m about to turn 90, and I didn’t want to give up my licence. One moment changed my mind
I learned to drive on the Bathurst track and back in the day I owned a Ford GT. I know how to handle a car. Yet, I’ve made the heartbreaking decision to give up driving, and to sell my car.
Jayne Malone
Contributor
Grandparents give up to $1m in home deposits to keep family from moving away
Average workers are priced out, but many property buyers who are left in the market now have extraordinary wealth – often from family.
How do I manage my poorly performing employee, who has ADHD?
This is a complex issue but one you will be able to navigate with expert advice and compassion, writes Dr Kirstin Ferguson.
This legend of Australian acting no longer recognises himself
Thc celebrated actor has gradually turned into an eccentric child – awestruck and cheerful – since being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
Money Talks
AFL 2024
Danger is staying, but here’s why some of the Cats’ biggest names aren’t their highest priorities
Geelong started the season with a long list of free agents to sign, but it won’t change the wait and see approach that has served them well when it comes to their veterans.
Opinion
AFL 2024
Why personalities like Sam Draper should be celebrated, not gagged
Seeing Sam Draper’s reaction to the crucial decision late in the Bombers’ last-minute win against Adelaide was revealing and hilarious – unless you barracked for the Crows.
Mathew Stokes
AFL columnist
Australian duo Electric Fields out of Eurovision in nail-biting finish
Their stunning finish is a blow to Australia’s ambitions in the 68-year-old iconic music competition.
‘Wit and grit’: Digging into her ancestry, Kathy Lette realises where she’s from
It’s no surprise to discover relatives who share similar looks. But parallel personality traits?
Opinion
Ask an expert
If I use up my super on a lavish holiday, can I still get the pension?
Taking an expensive overseas holiday using your superannuation should have no bearing on your pension eligibility when the time comes.
Noel Whittaker
Money columnist
Victorian budget 2024
More than 100 projects delayed as blowouts hit bottom line
Delays will affect signature projects in education, health and housing as the government shields the budget from rising costs.
Analysis
The budget is brimming with hairy-chested spin. But the reality is far more nuanced
Treasurer Tim Pallas is taking hairy-chested fiscal decisions to shore up the state’s financial position as it battles major economic and financial headwinds side by side with Victorian families.
Victoria
Driver in Lamborghini crash also accused of killing spectator at burnout event
A Ballarat mechanic has been refused bail after crashing into a house six months after he was involved in a fatal crash at a car festival in regional Victoria.
Exclusive
Literature
The Weirdo books once had a ‘prettiest girls list’. Now, they are re-recording the audiobooks
The best-selling children’s book author is revising his Weirdo audiobooks to remove a “prettiest girls” list. “I was ranked low on a list and it affected me for years,” he says.
Melburnians were encouraged to send an email about the city’s trees. They poured their hearts out
“Dear 1040090. Is it okay if I call you George?” A project mapping people’s emotional connections with trees draws on Melbourne’s beloved and viral “treemail”.
Updated
Mushroom case
Alleged killer mushroom cook Erin Patterson pleads not guilty
Accused triple murderer Erin Patterson will have her case fast-tracked to the Supreme Court where her barrister says she will plead not guilty to all charges.
Updated
Private schools
Private school boys expelled over list ranking female classmates
The principal of Yarra Valley Grammar said the school was characterised by respectful relationships “most of the time”.
AFL
‘Playing for their future’: Heat on Beveridge, Bulldogs ahead of Tigers clash
Western Bulldogs great Doug Hawkins is “a Bevo man” and has backed the coach to turn the Bulldogs’ season around. But he fears what could happen if his old club is beaten by Richmond on Saturday.
Analysis
The former tradie behind Demons’ success
Everyone knows a tradie who thinks they know everything about footy. There just aren’t many like former air conditioner technician Jason Taylor.
Politics
‘Stop provocations’: China fires back at Australia over Yellow Sea flare incident
The encounter has strained efforts to stabilise relations with Beijing and comes as Australian officials prepare to host a visit by Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
Business
Apple’s most AI-focused chip debuts in its thinnest device ever
The company has debuted two new lines of iPads, including a larger screen iPad Air and a powerful OLED iPad Pro.
World
Security guard shot outside Drake’s mansion in Toronto
The shooting comes amid a heavyweight rap feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar.
Opinion
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Property
The type of home that got 50 per cent more expensive within four years
Asking prices have skyrocketed since the depths of COVID-19 lockdown. Is any relief in sight for home hunters?
How the conventional wisdom of the property ladder broke down
Previous generations would start with a modest unit and then upsize to a house, but today’s buyers face a different outlook.
Good Food
Lifestyle
Groundbreaking? No, but these celebrities won the Met Gala red carpet
The Met Gala isn’t really a place for setting trends, but these celebrities were best in show.
Culture
Mona heads to Supreme Court in fight to keep Ladies Lounge for women
The art gallery was ordered to close a women-only exhibit last month after a NSW man launched an anti-discrimination case.
Traveller
Drivedrive
From Our Partners
Sport
Money Talks
AFL 2024
Danger is staying, but here’s why some of the Cats’ biggest names aren’t their highest priorities
Geelong started the season with a long list of free agents to sign, but it won’t change the wait and see approach that has served them well when it comes to their veterans.
In just 19 balls, Fraser-McGurk heaps more pressure on Australian selectors
He wasn’t deemed good enough for Australia’s T20 World Cup squad, but Jake Fraser-McGurk’s responded in the best possible way with another IPL batting blitz.
Opinion
AFL 2024
Why personalities like Sam Draper should be celebrated, not gagged
Seeing Sam Draper’s reaction to the crucial decision late in the Bombers’ last-minute win against Adelaide was revealing and hilarious – unless you barracked for the Crows.
Mathew Stokes
AFL columnist
‘Playing for their future’: Heat on Beveridge, Bulldogs ahead of Tigers clash
Western Bulldogs great Doug Hawkins is “a Bevo man” and has backed the coach to turn the Bulldogs’ season around. But he fears what could happen if his old club is beaten by Richmond on Saturday.
‘I’m not in great touch’: Hawkins’ form in focus ahead of games record
The champion Cat will match his triple-premiership teammate Joel Selwood’s games record on Friday night against Port Adelaide when he plays his 355th game for the club.
Cousins won’t be part of the hall of fame class of ’24
Former West Coast champion and skipper Ben Cousins will not be inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2024 and is not considered likely to be added to the honour roll any time soon.
Five years ago Tiana tried boxing for the first time. Now she’s off to the Olympics
Tiana Echegaray went to a boxercise class in 2019 to keep fit and it has led her to competing at her first Olympics at the age of 30.
Have Your Say
Not a top-four team: How rival recruiters really rate the Bulldogs’ list
It’s hard to get a handle on Bevo’s Bulldogs. List managers polled by The Age point to top-end talent, but a wobbly defence and a one-paced midfield.