Tag: MELBOURNE

Victorian Government Orders Transgender Flag Flown in Response to Women’s Rights Protest

A new transgender flag will fly in front of Melbourne’s Treasury Place alongside two LGBT+ pride flags until the end of the month. The Victorian state Labor government made the decision following a rally on women’s rights on the weekend where women discussed transgender people taking part in women’s sports. State Premier Daniel Andrews wrote…


Victoria Adds Just 74 New Public Dwellings Despite Multi-Billion-Dollar Program

The Australian state of Victoria has added a slither of new social housing stock over the past four years, despite introducing a multi-billion-dollar program to boost social housing. The latest annual report by the Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing revealed that the state had a total social housing stock of 86,887 dwellings by…


Why Set up the PBO If the Government Won’t Use It?

Commentary Victoria’s Parliamentary Budget Office’s (PBO) latest report (pdf) has revealed that the Labor government, who set it up, did not even use it to cost its 2022 election promises. The report notes that “There appears to be a disconnect between the Treasurer’s 2016 speech recommending the bill to parliament, in which he outlined his…


Hospitals Caught up in Significant IT Outage

One of Victoria’s major healthcare providers, Eastern Health, is dealing with a significant IT system outage that is affecting one of Melbourne’s largest public health services. Eastern Health operates Angliss Hospital, Box Hill Hospital, Maroondah Hospital, Wantirna Health and Yarra Ranges Health, among other services in an around Victoria. The outage, which has forced the…


Suicide: The Heavy Price We’re Paying for One of the Longest COVID-19 Lockdowns in the World

Commentary The recent release of the Victorian Coroners Court Monthly Suicide Data Report—December 2022 update provides a reason for concern for all Victorians. It shows that in 2022, the state recorded the highest number of suicides since the court started collecting this data in 2000. The number of Victorian suicides in 2022 was 756, up…


Uncontrolled Fire Growing North of Melbourne

A large, fast-moving and uncontrolled grassfire north of Melbourne is growing and heading towards more towns. The blaze started at Flowerdale, about 90 minutes from the Victorian capital, on Tuesday afternoon and is burning north towards Yea. Waterbombing aircraft were used overnight, and it’s believed no homes have been impacted, but the full extent of…


Fire Damages Buddhist Temple in Melbourne’s Southeast

A Buddhist temple in Melbourne’s southeast has been gutted by fire, leaving a small community devastated. Crews were called to the Bright Moon Buddhist Temple in Springvale South at about 8 p.m. on Sunday as large flames engulfed the building. It took about 80 firefighters more than two hours to control the blaze. About 30 residents…


Djokovic’s Father to Sit out Son’s Match After Taking Picture With Pro-Russian Fan

Novak Djokovic’s father Srdjian said he will not attend the Australian Open semi-final on Friday night after he was seen posing for photos with supporters of Vladimir Putin. In an emailed statement on Friday, Djokovic senior said he had “chosen to watch from home” so there would be no disruption to Friday night’s semi-final for…


Djokovic Receives Warm Welcome in Melbourne Return

MELBOURNE, Australia—Novak Djokovic received a warm and enthusiastic welcome in his return to Melbourne during an exhibition match against Nick Kyrgios on Friday. Djokovic’s visa for entering Australia was revoked and he was deported ahead of last year’s Australian Open because he was not vaccinated against COVID-19. He still hasn’t gotten the shots, but the…


Melbourne Victory Fans Given Life Bans

Two Melbourne Victory fans who rushed the AAMI Park pitch, including one who allegedly hit Melbourne City goalkeeper Tom Glover with a metal bucket, have received life bans from Football Australia. Dec. 17 evening’s violent pitch invasion at AAMI Park forced the abandonment of the A-League Men derby. Glover suffered a concussion and facial laceration…