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Healthcare
Arden’s electrical issues were known three years before shock hospital move
Authorities knew in 2021 that electromagnetic waves from Metro Tunnel trains were a risk to Arden’s recently scrapped hospital towers.
- by Henrietta Cook, Rachel Eddie, Kieran Rooney and Aisha Dow
Latest
‘Bleakest budget’ for mental health didn’t fund promised new agency
Premier Jacinta Allan’s first budget failed to fund an overdue support service to be run by people with first-hand experience of ill-mental health.
- by Rachel Eddie and Broede Carmody
School bonus divides as rich reap benefits and poorer private areas miss out
Public school students in wealthy suburbs will get $400 each to help with learning costs while their private peers in poorer areas miss out.
- by Rachel Eddie and Robyn Grace
Relief for struggling families but Victoria’s crushing debt burden to rise
Support for parents of school children and housing affordability will be priorities in a state budget that will show Victoria’s net debt hitting a new peak.
- by Annika Smethurst, Kieran Rooney and Rachel Eddie
Exclusive
Electric vehicles
Surveyors warn EV chargers in old apartment buildings should have fire safety approval
The Australian Institute of Building Surveyors warn the rapid uptake of the technology has created fire risks not yet addressed by existing building regulations.
- by Rachel Eddie and Kieran Rooney
Hospital used ambulance, fake patients during ministerial visit
Ten Colac Area Health staff members, who worked in other sections of the hospital, attended the urgent care clinic during the visit and sat in the waiting room.
- by Rachel Eddie
Exclusive
Domestic violence
Police warn bail laws hamper efforts to prevent family violence
Frontline police have complained they now have fewer options when alleged domestic violence offenders breach bail conditions.
- by Rachel Eddie
Dumped MP takes leave, as premier blasts ‘inappropriate behaviour’
A complaint from a second woman prompted Premier Jacinta Allan to punt Darren Cheeseman from her Labor government, but he’s declared he will remain on the crossbench.
- by Rachel Eddie, Broede Carmody and Kieran Rooney
Exclusive
Victorian budget
Water retailers pleaded to borrow $36.5 million extra in debt blowout
Floods and infrastructure costs forced four water retailers in regional Victoria to ask the state government to increase their borrowing limits.
- by Rachel Eddie
Premier defends keeping MP demoted for ‘inappropriate conduct’ in her team
Jacinta Allan said the alleged behaviour of Darren Cheeseman was not acceptable anywhere in the community, but despite losing his role he’ll remain in her party room.
- by Rachel Eddie
Investigative body to handle MP complaints won’t be set up by deadline
Labor is still months away from introducing a bill to establish the parliamentary integrity commission that would investigate MPs for inappropriate behaviour, after Jacinta Allan asked Darren Cheeseman to resign as parliamentary secretary.
- by Rachel Eddie