Politics
Victoria
Housing plan ‘pressures inner city and fringe, spares middle Melbourne’
Infrastructure targets and plans for green space and community buildings are also needed, say experts.
- by Annika Smethurst
Latest
Victoria needs millions of new homes. Here’s where they will be built
Councils will be told to find room for thousands of new homes as the government releases fresh targets to boost housing stock by more than 2 million.
- by Annika Smethurst
Former Andrews adviser ousted from lobby firm, denies bullying claims
John-Paul Blandthorn – the brother of Allan government minister Lizzie Blandthorn – said he was seeking legal advice after being sacked from Labor-linked firm Hawker Britton.
- by Kieran Rooney
Exclusive
Healthcare
‘Hands off our hospital’: Victorian towns fighting to keep health services
Victoria’s auditor-general has been asked to investigate the true financial state of the health system as the government prepares for amalgamations.
- by Annika Smethurst
Opinion
Political leadership
Dutton could help Pesutto, if only the two weren’t drowning in bad blood
Pollsters say the Queenslander is not as unpopular in Victoria as many think. But the Liberal leaders continue to blame each other for their troubles when they could be working together.
- by Annika Smethurst
Exclusive
Building insurance
Building insurance to increase by 65 per cent for new homes
Home building insurance is increasing after a string of companies collapsed over the past year, leaving thousands of homes unfinished and the state-backed insurance agency making record payments.
- by Kieran Rooney
Cherryl Barassi’s doctor says he should be allowed to raise assisted dying with patients
Dr Nick Carr said Victoria’s voluntary assisted dying laws need to be brought into line with other states, which allow doctors to raise the issue.
- by Broede Carmody
Exclusive
Renting
Rental stock plummets by 15,600 homes in Victoria, as squeeze tightens on tenants
The state’s tenants face a tough rental market that shows no signs of easing, and some local government areas face significant drops in the number of homes available.
- by Rachel Eddie
Daniel Andrews tops King’s Birthday Honours
The former premier’s public health role and Big Build legacy have helped put him in the company of next governor-general Sam Mostyn on this year’s honours list.
- by Kieran Rooney and Shane Wright
Payments up to $40,000 to compensate Victorians from power tower eyesores
The Allan government has begun consultation on a community benefits program that aims to have power companies pay landowners who experience a “loss of visual amenity”.
- by Kieran Rooney
Exclusive
Disability
Sixth government backflip in six months, this time on disability commissioner
The Allan government has quietly shelved a plan to axe the state’s disability commissioner on July 1, its sixth major policy walk-back in six months.
- by Broede Carmody