Premier Daniel Andrews has established a Big Brother-style data agency to monitor the activities of everyday Victorians.

Australians should brace themselves for more cost-of-living hikes, with Jim Chalmers warning inflation is now running at “significantly higher” rate than the 5.1 per cent announced in April.

Basic social skills are reportedly lacking in school starters who missed out on two full years of kindergarten during the lockdowns.

Victorian women undergoing IVF and other fertility treatments will be eligible for up to $4,500 in cash under a new election promise by the state opposition.