NewsBite

Victorian budget

Advertisement
Rory Costelloe of Villawood Properties in Tarneit.

Cost of planning new suburbs skyrockets as approvals collapse

New analysis has revealed a dramatic slowdown in the delivery of new suburbs by the state’s planning authority.

  • Daniella White

Latest

Jiselle Hanna was elected secretary, and Mitch Vandewerdt-Holman assistant secretary, of the CPSU in Victoria.

The newly elected militants leading the public sector union

Public service workers bracing for thousands of job cuts have elected a new leadership at their union for the first time in 32 years. Jiselle Hanna doesn’t want to waste her unlikely success.

  • Rachel Eddie
Carly Brown-McErlain with her daughter Ayda, 6, said she spent about $300 on school uniforms. 

Parents ‘stockpiling’ uniforms ahead of changes to school bonus program

Uniform retailers have struggled to meet demand as parents buy up more than they need, spending $81 million on uniforms since November as other bonus money remains unspent.

  • Bridie Smith
The $600 million Victorian Heart Hospital plans to close an operating theatre and six recovery beds.

Heart hospital closing operating theatre, beds for ‘fiscal sustainability’

Doctors warn patients with life-threatening cardiac conditions will wait longer for treatment because of cost-cutting at the state’s new $600 million specialist hospital.

  • Broede Carmody and Henrietta Cook
Taxpayers have shielded Metro Trains from the impact of COVID-19.

Taxpayers fork out almost $500m to shield Metro Trains from pandemic fallout

Victoria is paying Metro Trains to offset lower passenger revenue, ensuring the private rail operator records bumper profits despite patronage falling as a result of work-from-home habits.     

  • Patrick Hatch and Kieran Rooney
Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission chair commissioner Treasure Jennings.

Mental health watchdog muzzled by ‘drastic’ budget cuts

Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission chair Treasure Jennings says the funding cuts leave the commission unable to do the work it was established to do.

  • Chip Le Grand and Grant McArthur
Advertisement
Jaclyn Symes told budget estimates hearings that automation and new technology would be key ways the government could make savings.

Bots to help fill Victoria’s budget hole: State hopes AI can slash costs

Treasurer Jaclyn Symes says AI and automation will help the government find $3.3 billion in savings.

  • Daniella White
Treasurer Jaclyn Symes, Premier Jacinta Allan and Education Minister Ben Carroll will all be targeted by teacher protests.

Teachers to protest in the streets against school funding cuts

The Australian Education Union wrote to Victorian teachers calling for immediate action against the government’s school funding “con job”.

  • Chip Le Grand
Sheep and beef farmer Bernie Free on his property near Winslow, Victoria where the effects of the drought are being felt.

Farmers to be spared fire tax increase after months of backlash

Treasurer Jaclyn Symes says capping the levy for primary producers would help farmers stay focused on their drought response and recovery.

  • Kieran Rooney and Benjamin Preiss
The Victorian government have made cuts to sporting gender equality programs.

Is this the turning point for women’s sport in Victoria?

Last week, the Victorian government quietly cut funding for women’s sporting programs, with local clubs calling the decision “bewildering”. This week, the Matildas coach called for better investment in female athletes. Find out if your local club is impacted by the cuts.

  • Gemma Grant

Original URL: https://www.watoday.com.au/topic/victorian-budget-jop