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The Latest Breaking News from Sonya Kilkenny

Fears kids will face life behind bars under tough laws

Underage teens could now face life behind bars after new laws passed a state parliament as its government fights to get a grip on surging crime rates.

AAP

Victorian Labor to introduce stand-alone coercive control offence in backflip to match opposition policy

Exclusive: Allan government acknowledges ‘more must be done’ and will introduce new offence despite insisting laws already protect against it

The Guardian - AU

Law change for 'horror' car thefts with kids inside

Stealing a car with a young child inside will be classified as a carjacking under state "adult time for violent crime" laws set to be rammed through parliament.

AAP

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Objections blocked in race to build 800,000 new homes

In a bid to meet a target to build 800,000 homes over the next decade, a state government will ban and restrict appeals to speed up approvals.

AAP

Victorian premier vows to scrap ‘old-fashioned Nimby’ planning laws, fast-track homes and curb rights to object

Jacinta Allan says reforms would see housing permit-approval times slashed and generate more than $900m in construction activity each year

The Guardian - AU

Offshore wind setback, but energy source still turning

Offshore wind might take longer to develop as it is still a new technology in Australia, but an expert says it is viable despite its latest project stumble.

AAP

Victorian Labor targets affluent Melbourne suburbs for rezoning to allow 16-storey apartment towers

Under the plan, the state government will seize planning controls for the designated areas – near train and tram stops – from local councils

The Guardian - AU

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Scores of childcare workers' clearances to be suspended

A gap allowing childcare workers accused of offences to keep working in one state will be closed, with more than 170 people in the firing line.

AAP

Victoria will fast-track new child safety laws as part of a system ‘overhaul’. Here’s what we know

The power to immediately suspend an individual’s working with children check during an investigation is among changes expected to pass parliament this week

The Guardian - AU

‘Post and boast’ laws aim to stop young Australians glorifying crimes. Will they drive them deeper into ‘a failing justice system’?

As more states make it illegal for offenders to publish footage of their crimes on social media, critics say the laws will be ineffective and harmful

The Guardian - AU

Red tape slashed to fast-track building new homes

In a bid to meet it's target of building 800,000 homes over the next decade, a state government has announced new housing laws designed to speed up approvals.

AAP

'Toughest' bail laws in land to target repeat offenders

The chances of repeat sex offenders, home invaders, carjackers and armed robbers getting bail will be lowered under the nation's "toughest" new laws.

AAP

Backflip on post and boast laws after 'disturbing' rise

A rising trend of young thugs gloating about their crimes online has prompted one state's change of heart on a "post and boast" crackdown.

AAP

While friends were partying, Conor was preparing for court. His case has now prompted Labor to act on family violence

Exclusive: Victorian government moves to reform law that sees young people lose family violence intervention order protection upon turning 18

The Guardian - AU

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AAP

Victims turn up heat over abuse liability 'loophole'

A state isn't ruling out a unilateral legislative response after a High Court ruling that a church wasn't liable for a priest's historical abuse of a child.

AAP

'No friends': communities turn on contentious rail loop

Thrust into the federal election spotlight, a major rail loop is coming under increasing fire from communities where it is slated to be built.

The Guardian - AU

Victorian Liberal leader faces backlash after saying he was visiting cyclone-hit parents while also going on cruise

Opposition MPs vent anger after revelation Brad Battin was on a Queensland cruise holiday when Labor announced tough new bail laws

The Guardian - AU

More than 12,000 family violence intervention orders issued in Victoria with crucial words missing

Labor government moves to rush through legislative fix to ensure orders affected by ‘printing error’ are enforceable

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AAP

Bail review fast-tracked as home invasions double

With mounting community anger putting it on the back foot, a state government is preparing to release a law review earlier than anticipated.

The Guardian - AU

Affluent suburbs targeted in Victorian government move to seize planning controls to build more homes

South Yarra and Windsor among 25 new ‘activity centres’ identified by Labor for higher-density housing

AAP

'Snakes and ladders': townhouse boost under new rules

One premier has fleshed out a government vision to make their state the "townhouse capital" of Australia, with a fresh plan to cut planning red tape.

The Guardian - AU

Bold or a ‘capitulation’? Victoria’s premier claims Labor’s reworked building goals are still on target

The final state housing targets have seen a reduction in numbers, but the overall goal of refocusing growth into Melbourne’s inner core remains

AAP

State to crack whip on councils over housing targets

More than 250,000 fewer homes will be built across Victoria by 2051 in a revised housing plan as the government threatens to strip councils of certain powers.

AAP

Warning faster environment approvals may cost community

One state's plan to slash environmental approval times for projects in half has blindsided conservationists.

AAP

No compo for owners burned by scrapped housing watchdog

Homeowners who suffered severe financial distress after the now defunct Victorian regulator let dodgy builders off the hook, won't be compensated.

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