Exclusive
Hospitals
Cash-strapped hospitals crunched by soaring workers’ compensation bills
An analysis of more than 70 annual reports shows health services’ overall WorkCover costs in the last financial year rose 51 per cent.
- by Annika Smethurst and Broede Carmody
Latest
Call to pull federal funding from Suburban Rail Loop has Liberals in a twist
Victorian Coalition MPs fear they have been hung out to dry after their federal colleagues called for the $35 billion project to be axed.
- by Annika Smethurst and Kieran Rooney
Updated
Victorian budget
Major Melbourne hospitals left counting cash weekly as budget constraints hit home
Alfred and Monash Health run some of the largest hospitals in the state, but an attempt by the government to enforce budgets has had a dire impact on their books.
- by Rachel Eddie and Annika Smethurst
Opinion
Political leadership
Allan’s likeability rating has tumbled and there may be no way back
Labor MPs are growing a little jittery about the party’s prospects under the current premier.
- by Annika Smethurst
Exclusive
Housing affordability
Voters ‘lukewarm’ on Allan’s housing density push but support making it easier to subdivide land
Overall, Victorians are happy with the government’s housing strategy, but the messages need to be communicated well, research shows.
- by Annika Smethurst
Exclusive
Immigration
Victoria lobbied for rule change to raise working visa cut-off age to 50
Victoria privately pressed the Albanese government to expand visa requirements to attract more overseas workers to fill critical gaps in the tourism industry.
- by Annika Smethurst
Victoria locked into Suburban Rail Loop’s $35 billion first stage by new contract
The signing of the final deal for twin tunnels between Glen Waverley and Box Hill effectively commits Victoria to the project, after the Coalition vowed to honour existing contracts.
- by Annika Smethurst
Exclusive
Workplace safety
More than 700 workers lose compensation despite WorkCover surplus
The workers were thrown off the scheme after Labor struck a deal to restrict access to payments for mental health injuries, such as stress and burnout.
- by Annika Smethurst and Broede Carmody
Opinion
Local council
Libs and Greens out, teals in: Election results send shockwaves across state
A surprising series of results at local council elections have raised alarms about the coming state and federal polls.
- by Annika Smethurst
Exclusive
Hospitals
Victoria’s secret $50 million hospital top-up revealed
The cost blowout – revealed under freedom of information laws – was blamed on inflation, but it further highlights the precarious state of health funding last year, when the government was within days of being unable to pay the bills.
- by Annika Smethurst and Broede Carmody
Updated
Victorian Parliament
‘I am angry’: Greens leader says co-deputy never welcome back after staffer affair revelation
Sam Hibbins has resigned after admitting to having a consensual relationship with a staffer. Greens leader Ellen Sandell said she would also move to have Hibbins’ party membership cancelled.
- by Annika Smethurst and Broede Carmody
Original URL: https://www.theage.com.au/by/annika-smethurst-p4yw4k