Politics
Victoria
Exclusive
Vaccination
Councils say new state charges put kids’ vaccine program at risk
Councils say they were promised free use of the state’s immunisation record platform – until the Department of Health sent the bill.
- by Rachel Eddie
Latest
Guns, sandwiches and a 60-tonne tank: Inside the Land Forces expo
The Land Forces arms expo features weaponry that can kill en masse, alongside armour to protect military dogs. And more lanyards than you can poke a howitzer at.
- by Sherryn Groch
Nearly 3000 Victorian households apply for social housing in three months
The fresh waiting list figures come as the state opposition has accused the Allan government of trying to make its data look better by changing the way it is reported.
- by Broede Carmody and Annika Smethurst
Exclusive
Political leadership
John Pesutto within striking distance as state’s preferred premier
Labor’s primary vote remains stubbornly stuck behind the Coalition, as Pesutto moves within one point of Allan as preferred leader.
- by Annika Smethurst
Police to get up to $15 million to deal with anti-war protests this week
Hundreds of extra officers have been deployed and police powers have been expanded to respond to protests outside the Land Forces weapons expo in Melbourne this week.
- by Rachel Eddie
Time’s up for Health Workers Union leaders as court action looms
A federal push to put Victoria’s Health Workers Union into administration is bound for the courts over the branch’s refusal to stand down secretary Diana Asmar.
- by Kieran Rooney and Lachlan Abbott
Victoria clears path for giant undersea gas storage project
New laws will facilitate a massive gas storage project in waters off 90 Mile Beach at a cost of $500 million, reflecting a shift in gas policy.
- by Kieran Rooney and Mike Foley
Katie Allen keeps political dream alive, knocking off endorsed candidate
Liberal Party moderate Allen will try for a political comeback in the Melbourne seat of Chisholm.
- by Annika Smethurst and James Massola
Updated
Protests
‘Disrupt the weapons’: Woman arrested as protest against military expo blocks West Gate
An anti-war protester has been arrested after she “affixed” herself to a car decorated to look like a reptile, which blocked traffic ahead of a military exposition in Melbourne next week.
- by Hannah Kennelly
Taxpayers cop $10m bill for COVID lockdown court battle
The final bill for the class action – brought on behalf of businesses that experienced financial loss because of restrictions – could be much higher, with mediation due to kick off in November.
- by Kieran Rooney and Annika Smethurst
Ernie, 7, reads sheep better than most kids his age can read books
The Davies family and their whip-smart kelpie Gypsy are vying for selection in the Australian four-dog team in a national championship.
- by Carolyn Webb