Victorian election
Kindergarten to get a $9b overhaul, with more places and longer hours
The Andrews government has promised a multibillion-dollar reshaping of preschool and childcare in Victoria.
- by Annika Smethurst
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Opinion
Opinion
The political earthquake about to shake Melbourne’s outer suburbs
I was born and raised in the Frankston-Seaford area decades ago when it was only just joining the suburban sprawl. I understand the frustration of voters waiting for train stations and good schools.
- by Shaun Carney
Exclusive
Victorian Parliament
Derryn Hinch announces plan to run for Victorian parliament
The former senator describes himself as a socialist on health, and a conservative on justice. He wants to improve ‘transparency and accountability’ in the state government.
- by Annika Smethurst
Fight over Victoria’s gambling tax as TAB wants online bookies hit harder
Tabcorp wants the Victorian government to boost the tax on gambling losses to overseas bookmakers, saying it will “level the playing field”, and anti-gambling advocates agree.
- by Annika Smethurst
Exclusive
Nuclear energy
Smith backs Dutton’s nuclear push as colleagues dodge debate
Outgoing Victorian Liberal MP Tim Smith has backed the federal Coalition’s nuclear energy push saying it would reduce emissions, defying the state Coalition, which has distanced itself from the debate.
- by Annika Smethurst
Opinion
Liberal Party
Hubris, the Liberal Party and a tale of two Tims
Tim Wilson and Tim Smith offer a lesson to their party, both state and federal. They lost the capacity for self-doubt, believed their own BS and showed no respect for the electorate.
- by Jon Faine
Premier rejects anti-corruption chief’s push to revamp IBAC laws
Robert Redlich says laws allowing people to challenge his draft findings in court were delaying the timely release of corruption reports.
- by Annika Smethurst, David Estcourt and Sumeyya Ilanbey
Andrews will ‘get his way’ on push to extend national control of ALP
Labor’s national executive is expected to the premier’s wish for the federal body to preselect candidates for vacant seats, ahead of the state election.
- by Annika Smethurst
Bernie Finn to lead DLP into the Victorian state election
A week after he was voted out of the Liberal Party, controversial MP Bernie Finn has announced the party he will join as he seeks to stay in the state’s upper house.
- by Marta Pascual Juanola
Exclusive
ALP
Andrews calls for national control of Victorian ALP to be extended
Premier Daniel Andrews has sought to clear the political decks ahead of the November state election, asking Labor’s national inner sanctum to extend its control over his troubled Victorian branch.
- by Royce Millar and Sumeyya Ilanbey
Exclusive
Peter Dutton
‘He is not liked’: Unions’ state election campaign takes aim at Peter Dutton
Victorian Liberals will face a co-ordinated attack by unions hoping to capitalise on the new federal Liberal leader’s unpopularity among Victorian voters ahead of the state election.
- by Annika Smethurst