Politics
Victoria
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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
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Metro Tunnel
Metro Tunnel land row: Luxury apartment developer sues state for $20 million
The Devitt Property Group has accused the Victoria government of ignoring its compensation claims in a dispute spanning more than four years.
- by Carla Jaeger and Clay Lucas
Exclusive
Alcohol
Man hit by car was denied help by sobering-up service over lack of male staff
The man’s death in June was not the first time a drunk patient was hurt under Victoria’s health-led response to public intoxication.
- by Rachel Eddie
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
Allan government faces showdown with faith groups over hate laws
It is also facing opposition from women’s sex-based rights groups concerned that the proposed new laws will be weaponised by trans activists.
- by Chip Le Grand
Exclusive
Mental health
School students may lose mental health support after funding clampdown
The Victorian government has quietly cut funding for provisional psychologists in state schools, making it even harder for young Victorians to access mental health support.
- by Broede Carmody and Brittany Busch
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Victorian budget
The projects worth billions funded with Victoria’s secretive ‘credit card’ revealed
The state government spent nearly $10 billion on 161 projects – including the Commonwealth Games dispute – using a secretive fund known as the treasurer’s advance.
- by Broede Carmody
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
Naked City
Police setting up global net to catch child abusers
Law enforcement agencies around the world came to Melbourne this week to discuss ways to prevent abuse and pursue those responsible.
- by John Silvester
More free school breakfasts – and lunches – on the table as food crisis bites
A parliamentary inquiry has called for an expansion of Victoria’s school breakfast program and a “minister for food” to help tackle rising costs and food insecurity.
- by Kieran Rooney
Original URL: https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria