Victorian Parliament
Gas use has fallen as manufacturers close. Some say this spells economic trouble
Closures of large gas-reliant manufacturers have helped spare Victoria from gas shortages. But it has raised alarms over the state’s economy.
- Kieran Rooney and Hannah Kennelly
Latest
- Exclusive
- Mental health
Victims of crime at risk as counsellors left unpaid
Psychologists and counsellors say they are being forced to choose between abandoning their patients or working without pay under the state’s new scheme for treating victims of crime.
- Rachel Eddie
- Exclusive
- Property development
The Melbourne suburbs with hundreds of cheap, brand-new apartments
The state government wants developers to build more housing, but they can’t even shift the units they already have.
- Daniella White
Controlling cults face parliamentary spotlight amid push for new laws
After a push from ex-members and reporting on a controversial Victorian church, a new inquiry will examine coercive control by organisations.
- Richard Baker
- Updated
- Victoria Police
‘My time is precious to me’: Victoria Police acting chief commissioner won’t apply for top job
It means Victoria will have had at least three different chief police commissioners in 2025, with applications for the permanent role closing this Friday.
- Alexander Darling, Rachel Eddie, Kieran Rooney and Melissa Cunningham
- Updated
- Antisemitism
Hate speech laws pass parliament as Liberals claim freedom of speech is at risk
The long-awaited reforms will make serious vilification – such as incitement of hatred or physical threats – punishable by up to five years’ jail.
- Daniella White
‘Hasty political decision’: Final report slams Commonwealth Games failures
The Victorian government’s decision to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games was flawed, inadequate and marred by a series of failures, according to a final report into the event’s cancellation.
- Kieran Rooney
Victoria’s legal bill jumps $74m in months as historical abuse claims surge
A surge in historical sexual abuse claims against the state government have driven a $74 million jump in Victoria’s legal liabilities over six months.
- Kieran Rooney and Clay Lucas
Victorian ministers flouting transparency rules, and the premier is the worst offender
Premier Jacinta Allan is supposed to enforce her ministers’ disclosures of meetings with lobbyists. But her latest disclosures were submitted nearly three months late.
- Daniella White
Battin wants Pesutto to keep seat amid bankruptcy threat from Deeming’s costs
Liberal elders are running out of options on how to spare former party leader John Pesutto from bankruptcy, which would force his exit from parliament and a byelection.
- Rachel Eddie
Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/topic/victorian-parliament-1new