Politics
Victoria
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Victorian budget
Victoria’s $12 billion ‘credit card’ for policies not listed in the budget
Treasurer Tim Pallas has been handed a $12.1 billion “credit card” to spend next financial year without being scrutinised through the budget or parliament.
- by Josh Gordon
Latest
Victoria has thousands of empty public housing dwellings
A new report also shows the state has only added about 300 new public homes in the past eight years.
- by Broede Carmody
Exclusive
Roads
More trucks on roads feared as long-promised freight hub in Melbourne’s west put on ice
Premier Jacinta Allan once said the Western Intermodal Freight Terminal should be the ‘first cab off the rank’ to be built. Her government has deferred it indefinitely.
- by Kieran Rooney
Opinion
Life in the ’burbs
On the mean streets of 1970s Fitzroy, even the trees looked like they wanted to die
The Fitzroy of today – filled with bars, cafes, markets and designer boutiques – was unimaginable. But back then, locals loved the cheap rent and “anything goes” attitude.
- by Justine Costigan
Exclusive
ALP
Leaked letters show MP’s ‘considerable unease’ over Labor’s private school tax hike
The controversial state government plan has drawn criticism from one of its own members, who also voted for it in parliament.
- by Annika Smethurst
Jubilant to hostile: How a done deal blew up in the nursing union’s face
A collapsed pay deal has left the union reeling, insulted members are calling for long-time Victorian branch secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick to stand down and its industrial action is in disarray.
- by Henrietta Cook and Jewel Topsfield
Exclusive
Property development
The YIMBY plan to oust the NIMBYs from local councils
Candidates at the coming local government elections will be asked to pledge that they will not block apartment developments, as YIMBY and pro-housing groups seek to expand their clout in key inner-city areas.
- by Royce Millar and Rachael Dexter
Nationals grassroots members go nuclear over Welcome to Country ceremonies
The Victorian Nationals rank and file want a future Coalition government to back nuclear power and to axe funding for Welcome to Country ceremonies.
- by Annika Smethurst
Jacinta Allan’s Labor faces trouble as the west gets wild
After a decade of golden years under Daniel Andrews, his replacement is facing a storm of problems that have trashed Labor’s vote.
- by Rachel Eddie and Kieran Rooney
Teen died after getting 64 prescriptions from 31 doctors
The death of a 16-year-old who overdosed after receiving three prescriptions for addictive drugs in the days before his death has triggered a coroner’s warning that many GPs are ignoring a watchlist to prevent “doctor shopping”.
- by David Estcourt
Gas shortfalls could force businesses offshore
Business leaders are threatening the government that gas insecurity might force them to quit Victoria.
- by Kieran Rooney, Broede Carmody and Annika Smethurst