What will you do about the rising cost of living, particularly housing?
Housing, homelessness, rents and the rising price of everything are front of mind for Victorians.
Editorial
Housing is a key cost-of-living issue, and Labor has the slightly better offer
A state government with courage and imagination could reshape the housing environment. The policies presented at this election will not achieve that change.
- The Age's View
Updated
Victorians feel pinch: Poll shows cost of living most important election issue
Victorians want policies that provide more relief from cost-of-living pressures, with more than a quarter of voters identifying it as the most important issue.
- by Annika Smethurst
The worsening part of the housing crisis affecting hundreds of thousands
The number of older Victorians renting or paying off mortgages is rising rapidly and politicians aren’t offering a solution.
- by Cara Waters and Jewel Topsfield
As Liberals and Labor promise more help, who’s getting the benefit?
Although generally seen as a federal government issue, the cost of living has become critical in this year’s state election.
- by Jewel Topsfield
Exclusive
The suburbs that will suffer most from Melbourne’s planning failure
These booming communities could be cut off from employment and services if the government fails to redirect population growth away from the outer fringe, according to authors of the blueprint guiding Melbourne’s expansion.
- by Patrick Hatch
Explainer
What will you do about the rising cost of living, particularly housing?
Victoria has become one of the most expensive places in the world to live. Victorians want answers to how to address an issue that affects so many.
- by Jewel Topsfield
Analysis
Will Matthew Guy’s gas reservation plan drive down power prices?
The Coalition is adamant its plan to “turbocharge” Victorian gas production while reserving 100 per cent of any new gas found in the state for locals will drive down energy prices. But how much gas is actually available?
- by Josh Gordon and Nick Toscano
Guy vows $261 million stamp duty holiday in latest cost-of-living pitch
The hip pocket has become a major focus of the Victorian election campaign, with both sides promising relief to cash-strapped voters.
- by Josh Gordon
Coalition’s $2 fares would cost state twice as much as claimed, says government
The Victorian opposition’s flagship election policy of slashing Melbourne public transport fares to $2 a day is estimated by the state’s transport department to cost twice as much as the Coalition claimed.
- by Patrick Hatch
Report shows 540,000 Victorian households went hungry in the last year
Foodbank’s annual Hunger Report, reveals more than 2 million households across the country experienced severe food insecurity in the past 12 months, which means they ran out of food due to limited finances and at worst went entire days without eating.
- by Jewel Topsfield
‘Very challenging’: Melbourne house rents break records for fourth quarter in a row
Tenants have been dealt another financial blow as house rents set a record, while units are also likely to reach a new high and recoup their pandemic losses by the end of the year.
- by Melissa Heagney-Bayliss and Gabriela Fannia
Luxury high-rise apartments ‘inappropriate’ for homeless program
A government program housed a small number of former rough sleepers in “inappropriate” luxury buildings during the pandemic, a review has found.
- by Rachael Dexter and Jewel Topsfield
Will the political will to end rough sleeping be sustained beyond the pandemic?
COVID-19 was seen as an opportunity to end the cycle of homelessness but there is concern for the future, with increasing numbers of rough sleepers back on the streets.
- by Jewel Topsfield and Rachael Dexter
What Victorians want to hear from politicians
The Age surveyed thousands of Victorians in August and September to help inform its coverage of the Victorian election in November.
- by Rachel Eddie
Exclusive
Gig economy companies placed on notice ahead of new laws
Gig economy platforms like Uber, Airtasker and DoorDash are being warned they will face tough employment laws from next year if Labor wins the election.
- by Josh Gordon
What is Victoria’s Agenda for the 2022 state election?
For this election, The Age is shifting its approach to focus on what Victorians want to discuss – what matters most to you – rather than what the political parties and candidates want the election to be about.
- by Gay Alcorn
Knowing rough sleepers by name key to solving street homelessness
A hyper-local approach to ending street homelessness is being trialled in the City of Port Phillip, where the name of every rough sleeper is added to a list.
- by Jewel Topsfield and Rachael Dexter
Victorian businesses call for radical stamp duty overhaul
Companies are calling for a radical overhaul of the state’s housing and payroll tax regimes as part of a push for “root and branch” tax reform to reinvigorate the state economy.
- by Josh Gordon