Politics
Victoria
SRL to proceed regardless of who wins next state election – but there’s a catch
The Liberal Party has confirmed it would proceed with the Suburban Rail Loop, assuming that tunnelling begins before the election.
- by Daniella White and Rachel Eddie
Latest
Exclusive
Victorian Parliament
Fears emerge on Liberal religious right that cult inquiry unfairly targets Pentecostal churches
In an email to a think tank, an employee of a Liberal MP defended the Geelong Revival Centre, which has been accused of decades of abuse, as “strict but not coercive”.
- by Rachel Eddie
‘A gift for our opponents’: Liberal boss calls for unity to stem electoral bleeding
Philip Davis has called for resignations from the party’s administrative committee and urged members to set aside internal dramas to become electable.
- by Rachel Eddie
IBAC a ‘haven for politicians’, warns former commissioner Redlich
Robert Redlich, KC, will give evidence to the Victorian parliament on Monday as a committee considers whether IBAC’s existing framework is adequate.
- by Rachel Eddie
Exclusive
Energy
Cost of state’s renewable energy transmission plan predicted to double
The estimated cost of Victoria’s transition from coal-fired power to renewable energy has doubled to $7.9 billion under a revised Allan government plan.
- by Kieran Rooney and Adam Carey
Four arrested as pro-trans protesters clash with police
Several people have been arrested after scuffles broke out between pro-trans rights protesters and police on Saturday morning in Melbourne’s CBD.
- by Ashleigh McMillan
Exclusive
Public service
‘Just wrong’: State government seeks to draft public servants into WFH campaign
Public law expert William Partlett likens the Allan government’s latest WFH ploy to the behaviour of a party cartel.
- by Chip Le Grand
Opinion
City life
Pedestrian etiquette in Melbourne has reached new lows. It’s time for a ‘keep-left’ crackdown
On any major CBD street you have fast walkers, slow walkers, people drifting diagonally like bishops on a chessboard, or those staring at their phone. It’s time for both carrot and stick.
- by Nick Reece
Opinion
Psychology
I escaped a cult – for years I didn’t even realise I was in one
I have long hidden the shame that I was gullible enough to be lured into such a group. The perception that people in cults are different from the rest of us needs to be challenged.
- by Ahona Guha
Updated
City life
Richmond bike lanes to shrink after controversial parking plan approved
Five years after removing car parks to install protected bike lanes, Yarra council has voted to downgrade the lanes and reintroduce parking.
- by Rachael Dexter
Allan flags possible work-from-home carve-out for small businesses
The Victorian government has launched an online survey to gauge public attitudes towards working from home.
- by Chip Le Grand