Politics
Victoria
How Victorian power companies could be forced to pay you for blackouts
A review into storms that cut power to 530,000 homes has called for energy distributors – not governments – to compensate customers who lose power.
- by Kieran Rooney
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Healthcare
Victoria’s primary care clinics face funding cuts in budget crisis
Priority primary care clinics, promised in 2022 as Daniel Andrews’ solution to the health crisis, are facing cutbacks as the Victorian budget grapples with debt.
- by Rachel Eddie and Kieran Rooney
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Workplace disputes
‘Thrilled’: Workers claim win after sackings from Black Star Pastry for wearing keffiyehs
The high-end bakery that sacked two baristas for wearing keffiyehs to work has settled the discrimination case under confidential terms. The workers are claiming victory.
- by Charlotte Grieve
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Local council
Cash for access: Councillors ask corruption watchdog to investigate scheme
Most Port Phillip councillors want IBAC to investigate a donation scheme set up to fund a community group that financially backs two of their colleagues.
- by Annika Smethurst and Kieran Rooney
Victorian politicians get 3.5 per cent pay rise
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan will earn almost half a million dollars a year as MPs in the state received their second 3.5 per cent pay rise in two years.
- by Rachel Eddie
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Victorian budget
Births, Deaths and Marriages Registry makes millions from increasing certificate fees in cost-of-living crisis
The Greens will introduce a bill in the next sitting week in an attempt to block further privatisation of government services.
- by Broede Carmody
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Biodiversity
Measures meant to protect our last grasslands are seeing them trashed
Thirty-six conservation areas in Melbourne’s growth corridor contain some of the last intact grasslands in Australia, but just three are in good health.
- by Adam Carey
Here’s what you’ll be paying more for from today
Water bills, car registration and a levy on ride-share and taxi trips are among the areas hit with price rises.
- by Broede Carmody and Kieran Rooney
Miscalculation leaves Melton $224m short for roads, kindergartens, bridges, bike trails
Home prices in Melbourne’s outer west will rise by as much as $25,000 as developers look to pass on an increased levy for infrastructure in emerging suburbs.
- by Adam Carey
Exclusive
Legal Cannabis
Amnesty plea to allow medicinal cannabis users behind the wheel
A growing number of Victorians have been prescribed the treatment, but risk breaking the law if they use it.
- by Kieran Rooney
The inside story of Labor’s sudden change of heart on pill testing
Under Daniel Andrews, pill testing was a non-starter. Jacinta Allan made it permanent within months. Summer overdoses were a big reason why.
- by Rachel Eddie