This Month
Debt-laden ‘poor state’ Victoria to get GST bailout
Victoria will become a “mendicant state” next financial year, receiving a $3.9 billion boost in GST as Queensland suffers a $2.4 billion reduction in funding.
ASX dives; Behind Wall Street’s violent slump; Why Vic is so angry
Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.
How to undo the damage Victoria’s COVID response did to public trust
Federal and state governments should adopt a uniform code for pandemic management mandating medical advice be signed and published for any restrictive measures.
February
Mr Fix-It: The unusual legal practice of Leon Zwier
For decades, Zwier has been the lawyer of choice for Australia’s most powerful moguls. But lately, he’s taken on a very different client.
Liberal Party is yet to heed the message sent in Werribee
State and federal oppositions will draw encouragement from the byelection result. But neither has shown voters a coherent and credible budget and economic strategy.
Allan concedes safe Labor seat ‘on a knife edge’
Labor was ahead – just – in the Victorian state seat of Werribee which it has held since 1979 with half of votes counted in an important byelection.
Allan orders full-court press to stave off historic byelection loss
Jacinta Allan has gone chips in on the Werribee byelection, with defeat potentially spelling the end of the state Labor government, according to pollsters.
Chapel Street will reveal Dutton’s chances in Victoria
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton will be watching the Prahran byelection closely as the federal Liberals look to win back key seats in inner Melbourne.
A growing weight of expectation is not what Dutton needs
A growing public sentiment that the Coalition is a shoo-in to form the next government is in need of a reality check.
January
Why Jacinta Allan should not take this Melbourne suburb for granted
David Abbey is a life-long Labor voter but he’s ready – almost – to turn against the premier. Peter Dutton will be closely watching two Victorian byelections.
December 2024
Pallas’ disastrous fiscal legacy
Regretting not being able to spend even more money is a fittingly risible sign-off from a treasurer who lost control of Victoria’s finances.
The five main reasons Victoria is in this financial mess
Victoria has been the lowest-taxing, lowest-spending mainland state over the past 25 years, a new analysis shows. Its bottom line is still a disaster, but it’s not all self-inflicted.
The drama at Anthony Pratt’s New York party
Actor Chris Rock stormed out of the New York shindig, but singer Keith Urban got the joint jumping.
Dan Andrews makes Anthony Pratt’s New York party
Rich Lister Anthony Pratt has wasted no time getting settled into his new home.
November 2024
How Daniel Andrews’ playbook turned sour for Jacinta Allan
The former premier’s strategy was based on massive public spending. But times have changed, Victoria’s finances are a basket case, and voters have noticed.
Coalition hopes to win up to five federal seats in Victoria
The federal Liberal Party is planning a major push into Victoria including billboard advertising that plays off the flailing state government under Jacinta Allan.
Tim Pallas would need to win Oz Lotto for 86 years to pay off Vic debt
Victoria’s treasurer has clearly been overwhelmed by premiers Daniel Andrews and Jacinta Allan, and these Labor years look set to become bywords for state government dysfunction and failure.
How Victoria became a poor state (and the 16 charts that prove it)
The state’s parlous finances mean voters are bound to face a combination of cuts in government spending and increases in taxation.
Inside the Birdcage at Flemington’s Derby Day
With Tabcorp focusing on customers and Lexus on models, Crown’s marquee reigned supreme as the best people-spotting location of the day.
October 2024
Without trust, our institutions lose authority. Just ask Trump
In 2016 Donald Trump stormed into office on the back of a widespread voter cynicism and distrust. He is a coin toss away from doing so again.