Parties talk tough on budget plans,but there’s no magic pudding

Parties talk tough on budget plans,but there’s no magic pudding

Labor and the Coalition want to create the impression that tough decisions are being taken,but a closer look shows they’re both taking a buy-now-pay-later approach to budget management.

  • byJosh Gordon

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Libs to partially privatise the sewerage system and drain the Future Fund

Libs to partially privatise the sewerage system and drain the Future Fund

Both Labor and the Coalition would raid Victoria’s rainy-day fund to scrape together a budget surplus in the next term of government.

  • byRachel Eddie andJosh Gordon
Rollercoaster election campaign has highlighted importance of integrity

Rollercoaster election campaign has highlighted importance of integrity

Over the course of the campaign there have been donation scandals,a court injunction,questions about cash for political allies and accusations of political interference.

  • byJosh Gordon andPaul Sakkal
Integrity reform necessary to restore trust in government
Opinion
Opinion

Integrity reform necessary to restore trust in government

The politicisation of integrity processes means Victorians have no real confidence that power is being exercised in their interest.

  • byCatherine Williams
‘It’s not easy being a socialist’:Door-knocking with Richmond candidate Roz Ward

‘It’s not easy being a socialist’:Door-knocking with Richmond candidate Roz Ward

Despite being a micro-party,the Victorian Socialists are campaigning with militant efficiency this state election.

  • byBianca Hall
The worsening part of the housing crisis affecting hundreds of thousands

The worsening part of the housing crisis affecting hundreds of thousands

The number of older Victorians renting or paying off mortgages is rising rapidly and politicians aren’t offering a solution.

  • byCara Waters andJewel Topsfield
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ALP pulls in the big guns as Melton contest heats up
November 22
Inside Melton

ALP pulls in the big guns as Melton contest heats up

Labor is calling in big party names to help its candidate in Melton,as the powerful United Firefighters Union begins a mega offensive backing independent contender Dr Ian Birchall.

  • byRachael Dexter
Cost-of-living pledges poorly targeted to help most needy
Opinion
Opinion

Cost-of-living pledges poorly targeted to help most needy

Too many election promises haven’t made the distinction between helping those in acute need and helping those who are merely stressed and inconvenienced.

  • byEmma King
Hey big spenders:Tackling debt doesn’t seem to be either party’s priority

Hey big spenders:Tackling debt doesn’t seem to be either party’s priority

We find ourselves on the eve of a state election in which public debt is worrying a lot of Victorians,but the major parties are turning the other way and vowing to spend more.

  • byDavid Hayward
Health worker resignations surge by almost 20%,fresh data shows

Health worker resignations surge by almost 20%,fresh data shows

Resignations undermine efforts to recruit tens of thousands of doctors,nurses and midwives needed to relieve stress on the overburdened health system and staff new hospitals.

  • byJosh Gordon
Victoria is missing a golden opportunity to rethink the health system

Victoria is missing a golden opportunity to rethink the health system

Experts say there are two glaring omissions among the billion-dollar election promises - a failure of much-needed reform and lack of crucial investment in preventive health.

  • byAisha Dow andMelissa Cunningham