Politics
Victoria
Opinion
Hospitals
Labor is trying to stuff its hospitals problem back in the bag. It’s too late
Mergers might be a good thing for Victoria’s cash-strapped hospitals, even if Jacinta Allan and the health minister won’t talk about their plans.
- by Annika Smethurst
Latest
Victorian Liberal leader John Pesutto settles two defamation cases
The opposition leader had three defamation cases brought against him, but now he’s down to just one.
- by Rachel Eddie
Exclusive
Victorian Parliament
New digital driver’s licences don’t work at some pubs and clubs
More than 100,000 Victorians have downloaded the new licences, but they can’t be used everywhere.
- by Kieran Rooney
Keffiyeh scarf effectively banned from floor of Victorian parliament
The development comes a week after a Greens MP was asked to leave the chamber for refusing to take off her keffiyeh scarf, commonly worn to show support for Palestine.
- by Broede Carmody
Victoria’s hospitals are driving up costs by competing against each other
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas has flagged the state is considering amalgamating Victoria’s 76 health services because they are spending money competing against each other.
- by Broede Carmody, Kieran Rooney and Aisha Dow
Greenline project’s future in doubt as council funding dries up
The City of Melbourne on Tuesday unveiled its $781 million draft budget, which crept into surplus for the first time in five years.
- by Cara Waters and Sophie Aubrey
Drivers versus cyclists as bike lane plans trigger campaign war in St Kilda
Opposing posters have gone up on a major St Kilda street as locals face off over a $9.3 million plan to build a separate bike lane that would slash more than 100 car parking spaces.
- by Cara Waters
Exclusive
Victorian budget
Hospitals put on notice: No bailouts if budgets blow out
The Allan government’s tough talk has again stoked fears that Victoria’s hospital funding shake-up will lead to amalgamations and erode patient care.
- by Broede Carmody, Aisha Dow, Kieran Rooney and Annika Smethurst
Pokies will close six hours a day, but gambling losses are expected to increase
Victoria’s pokies are due to close six hours a day starting later this year, but the state budget still tips annual gambling losses – and tax revenue – will rise.
- by Rachel Eddie and Annika Smethurst
Exclusive
Public housing
Building unions, Labor branches clash with state on housing towers demolition
Influential construction unions have joined more than 30 Labor branches in contesting the Allan government’s plans to redevelop Melbourne’s 44 public housing towers.
- by Kieran Rooney and Royce Millar
From jail to counselling, Matt is proof men can change their behaviour if they want to
Realising the gravity of what he’d lost helped Matt become a reformed family violence offender. Now back with his daughter and with a new life ahead of them, he wants support for others to change.
- by Wendy Tuohy