Politics
Victoria
Raising the age of criminal responsibility set for 2025 as state unveils mammoth youth justice bill
The Victorian government is set to miss its own deadline to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 12 by the end of the year.
- by Kieran Rooney and Rachel Eddie
Latest
Exclusive
Tobacco
Smoke taxes driving people towards black market – and smoking rates up
Analysis shows high cigarette prices will continue pushing people towards the illicit tobacco trade, amid surging rates of vaping.
- by Kieran Rooney and Annika Smethurst
Opinion
Education
What mandated phonics means for Victoria’s haemorrhaging teacher numbers
If we want to remain the education state we need to invest in changes that celebrate teachers and keep them in front of classes, not drive them away.
- by Tom Mahoney
Pokies clubs are meant to use a tax break for good. But this is what they spent $242m on
Hundreds of millions of dollars is meant to go back to the communities that host Victorian pokies clubs, in return for a lucrative tax break.
- by Annika Smethurst
Exclusive
Schools
Secrecy on the state of public schools condemned amid delayed upgrades
The Allan government is avoiding scrutiny by hiding behind long-criticised freedom-of-information laws, the opposition says.
- by Broede Carmody
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
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
