Category: victorian government

Victorian Premier to Take Home $465,000 a Year

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews will retain his position as Australia’s highest-paid state leader after an independent tribunal granted all members of Parliament a 2.75 percent pay boost. Andrews will pocket A$465,000 (US$322,589) a year, including up to $58,435  in expenses and allowances. Victoria’s incoming deputy Jacinta Allan will take home almost $400,000. Meanwhile, all Victorian…


Victorian Premier Dan Andrews Locks in New Cabinet

Victoria’s ministerial newcomers will be sworn in at Government House after being unveiled on the weekend as part of a cabinet reshuffle. Premier Daniel Andrews unveiled a new-look frontbench on Saturday and crowned a new deputy premier as the government gears up for the November state election. Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan is James Merlino’s…


Survey Finds 50 Percent of Australian Youth Experienced Negative Mental Health, Worse in Lockdown States

A 2021 survey led by Mission Australia and Orygen on Australian youths has found around half, or 50 percent of those surveyed, found their mental health was affected by the pandemic, with high lockdown states such as New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria having the highest reports of adverse mental health. Victorian youths, who experienced…


Victoria Government Alleges Liberals Failing Victorians Amidst Political Campaign

The Victorian Labor Government has criticised the conservative Opposition for failing Victorians after the Victorian Opposition Leader and his colleagues voted against a motion that the federal government did not deliver for the state in the 2022 federal budget. “Today’s vote shows where Liberal and National MPs stand–on the side of cutting funding to Victorians…


Uncertainty Hangs on Victoria’s New Housing Levy

The Australian state of Victoria may abandon a newly proposed housing levy after the Andrews government said the property sector reneged on its promise to support reforms in the industry. The state government on Feb. 18 announced the new Social and Affordable Housing Contribution, which would impose a 1.75 percent levy on all newly built developments…


Victorian Govt Backflips on IVF Ban

Prospective parents are raising their hopes again after the Victorian government backflipped on its decision to reverse a ban on most IVF treatments as the Omicron COVID-19 wave progresses. James Merlino, the Victorian acting health minister, announced that some services would resume from Jan. 20. Meanwhile, hospitals are ramping up their operations to ensure the…


Move Against Djokovic Unlawful: Australian Government Shoots Itself in the Foot

Commentary If we cut to the chase, the only legitimate interest the Australian, or indeed the Victorian government, have in the otherwise legitimate visit of tennis star Novak Djokovic is whether there is any risk of his infecting anyone in Australia with the Wuhan virus, also known as COVID-19. The same principle applies, with greater…


Vic Government Delivers Virtual Power Plant Program

The Victorian government has introduced a pilot program designed to create a new virtual power plant pilot (VPP) program in a move designed to push the state’s electrical grid towards a more sustainable future. The two-year pilot program introduced on Dec. 24 will be overseen by Solar Victoria with a cap of 2000 rebates for Victorians….


‘Beg for Every Scrap’: Victorian Government Accuses PM of Double Standards

The Victorian state government has accused Prime Minister Scott Morrison of having double standards in a strong statement made shortly after the announcement of the federal COVID-19 financial support package. Under a joint federal and state support package, the disaster COVID-19 payment was increased by $50-$100 per week for people in New South Wales, depending…