February
Meet the car salesman Werribee voters turned to instead of Labor
Paul Hopper, the independent candidate at the Werribee byelection, says the Allan government must divert funds to improve services in Melbourne’s west.
Victoria turns into ground zero for Labor
Why a state byelection has Anthony Albanese biting his fingernails. The west Melbourne seat is being treated by both sides as a litmus test for the change in the national mood.
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.
No way old-school Labor would have approved rail loop: ex-insider
Former Victorian Labor MP Tony Lupton is dismayed about the current government’s commitment to the $100 billion Suburban Rail Loop despite soaring state debt.
Victoria’s byelections pave Dutton’s path to The Lodge
Former Victorian leader Jeff Kennett says if Labor loses the safe seat of Werribee in Melbourne’s west, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan’s leadership is at risk.
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.
Acting Vic premier takes swipe at Pallas over $73k trip to Europe
Documents reveal former treasurer Tim Pallas billed taxpayers nearly $73,000 for a 16-day trip to Europe just two months before he resigned.
Battin vows to scrap electricity commission, names shadow cabinet
Victorian opposition leader Brad Battin has promoted Liberal MPs who supported him to replace John Pesutto and flagged plans to cut taxes and government waste.
December 2024
24 hours in Chadstone: a postcard from Melbourne’s shopping temple
I spent a night in the mega mall in the week before Christmas, and even a bloated Victorian budget couldn’t spoil the mood.
‘I like fixing things’: New treasurer raises business hope in Victoria
Premier Jacinta Allan has made her first cabinet reshuffle, with business welcoming “proven performer” Jaclyn Symes as the successor to Tim Pallas.
Inflation risk crashes into political risk
Market tantrums and the fall in the Australian dollar in response to the US Fed show that next year is likely to be even more volatile.
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.
After Pallas blowout, business wants Victoria back on track
Outgoing Victorian treasurer Tim Pallas says his greatest regret is that financial constraints meant his government could not afford to spend even more money.
Business won’t miss Pallas, but there’s no easy fix for Victoria
With two years before the next state election, it seems likely that Tim Pallas’ exit will mean a shift in messaging rather than a shift in fiscal strategy.
Taylor accuses Chalmers of stacking RBA board
Angus Taylor says he is concerned Jim Chalmers has made the wrong decision with his appointments; extreme summer heatwave to scorch four states. How the day unfolded.
Chalmers overhauls RBA; Tim Pallas quits; 10 investor curveballs
Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.
Tax hit for homeowners, EV drivers as Vic deficit blows out to $3.6b
Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas revealed property owners face a doubled fire services levy while electric vehicle drivers will lose a registration discount.
Economic statement won’t make Victoria investable again
The government’s plan is mostly window dressing. It does nothing to fix the state’s fundamental business investment problem which is about the budget, stupid.
Some help for business, but Labor plan to revive Victoria panned
Premier Jacinta Allan has released her economic statement that includes moves to cut red tape, speed up gas approvals and introduce a business council.
Victoria pays consultants $2m for possible asset sale list
The Allan government is paying speciality consultants Ad Astra more than $2 million, including for a scoping study to help turn the state’s dire finances around.