Politics
Victoria
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Census
Essential service workers pushed to the fringes by housing crunch
Aged care workers, primary teachers, nurses, paramedics and police are being forced to Melbourne’s fringes by high housing costs, prompting warnings about worker shortages.
- by Josh Gordon and Craig Butt
Latest
Tougher bail rules, ankle monitors: Victoria flags youth crime crackdown
Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes says nothing is off the table as she meets with police, legal advocates and community groups over public concerns about young repeat offenders.
- by Kieran Rooney, Annika Smethurst and Wendy Tuohy
Exclusive
Roads
Council fights for more compensation for tennis courts lost to North East Link
A local council has taken the Victorian government to court to fight for tens of millions of dollars more in compensation.
- by Rachel Eddie
Premier reverses hospital bailout decision but health services sceptical
Jacinta Allan’s new stance comes after hospital insiders warned of bed closures, surgery delays and even the end of vital services across Victoria’s health system.
- by Broede Carmody
Airport rail now hinges on who pays the extra $3 billion to build it
The proposed rail link to Melbourne Airport depends on whether the state and federal governments can agree on additional funding.
- by Broede Carmody and Kieran Rooney
Melbourne Airport agrees to have overground train station, clearing path for rail link
The announcement ends a stalemate with the state government that had pushed the airport rail link back to 2033.
- by Rachel Eddie and Kieran Rooney
Exclusive
Victorian budget
Melbourne Water tapped the state for extra cash – to pay it back for an unexpected tax bill
The water authority borrowed additional money from a Victorian government entity – and paid interest to the government – so it could pay a tax to the same government.
- by Rachel Eddie
Copenhagen, not Docklands: Nick Reece wants to be lord mayor for real – here’s how
The former deputy mayor has confirmed he will run for the city’s top job at the coming elections, saying he’ll insist new growth suburbs are about putting “people first, not developer profit”.
- by Aisha Dow
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
Exclusive
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
Exclusive
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