Victorian election
Andrews wary about axing voting quirk despite Labor Party backing overhaul
Tiny political parties can swap preferences and leapfrog more popular candidates into the upper house with few votes. Critics say it’s open to corruption, but proponents argue it represents the will of the people as they turn away from the major parties.
- by Rachel Eddie
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Victorian budget
Victoria faces $882 million debt to pay for deferred public service super
Parliament’s independent budget watchdog found the Andrews government’s decision to delay $3 billion worth of contributions to the public service superannuation scheme will add to net debt.
- by Rachel Eddie
Exclusive
IBAC
Labor, Nationals argue against developer donation ban
IBAC has suggested a ban on donations from risky industries like property developers – but Labor and the Nationals argued against such a move just this month.
- by Rachel Eddie
Exclusive
Victorian Parliament
Labor, Coalition push to keep splashing cash at state elections
An independent review panel overseeing Victoria’s donations scheme is under question as Labor and the Coalition argue to keep spending big at polls.
- by Rachel Eddie and Royce Millar
Exclusive
Political donations
For major parties, spending arms race means odds are ever in their favour
Labor and the Coalition enjoy special benefits in donations laws that should be removed to eliminate “entrenching incumbency”, a leading integrity body says.
- by Royce Millar
Google ordered to reveal details of person who allegedly defamed Labor candidate
Nurul Khan was set to run for the Labor Party in last year’s Victorian election but allegations against him led to him being disendorsed by the party.
- by Tara Cosoleto
Updated
Victorian byelection
Warrandyte byelection date set for August 26 in Victoria’s lower house
More than 50,000 voters in Melbourne’s outer northeast will return to the polls to replace outgoing Warrandyte MP Ryan Smith.
- by Rachel Eddie and Annika Smethurst
Exclusive
Victorian Parliament
Wiped-out independents want rule change to ‘level the playing field’
Despite the federal success of “teal independents”, the number of independents in Victorian parliament went backwards – and 10 candidates argue they should be exempt from a new rule.
- by Rachel Eddie
Exclusive
Healthcare
‘Thought bubble’ or the new bulk billing? Controversy rages over pharmacy prescribing
Come October, pharmacists in Victoria are set to be given new powers to prescribe medicines usually the purview of doctors. But is the pilot being rushed?
- by Aisha Dow
Explainer
Liberal Party
Can Dutton intervene to sort out the state Liberal mess?
The federal Liberal leader has refused to rule out an intervention in the tumultuous Victorian party. How would he do that?
- by Josh Gordon
Guy slams ‘faceless leakers’ in Liberal Party, says Sky News damages Coalition
The former Liberal leader has blamed leakers in his party for his election loss last year and said the state president should resign for his part in the Coalition’s poor result.
- by Ashleigh McMillan