Police stub out 10 million illegal smokes in $15m bust Six men have been charged over the alleged importation of more than $15 million of illicit tobacco, which authorities hope will disrupt crime feuds in Victoria. AAP · Feb 28, 2024
Victorian authorities on alert as strong winds develop amid 40C heat and catastrophic conditions Residents across state’s west told to take action while bushfire continues to burn near Ballarat The Guardian - AU · Feb 28, 2024
October 7 attack 'legitimate': Islamic Council rep A leading Islamic group won't attend the Victorian premier's Iftar dinner over Labor's response to the Gaza conflict, calling an attack on Israel "legitimate". AAP · Feb 27, 2024
More residents leave as authorities renew dire warning New emergency warnings have led to more residents fleeing fire danger zones in Victoria as a massive blaze threatens a number of towns. AAP · Feb 27, 2024
Muslim peak bodies in NSW and Victoria reject invitations to premiers’ iftar dinners Exclusive: Australian National Imams Council and Islamic Council of Victoria say they will not attend Ramadan events amid ‘frustration’ in Muslim communities over response to Gaza conflict The Guardian - AU · Feb 27, 2024
Search for missing Ballarat woman Samantha Murphy postponed due to fire danger Volunteer-led group cancels Saturday’s search as 30,000 Victorians told to evacuate amid bushfire warnings The Guardian - AU · Feb 27, 2024
Man jailed for firearm offences linked to tobacco wars A man who stored a handgun in a fridge has been handed a three-month prison term for firearm offences after Victorian tobacco war detectives arrested him. AAP · Feb 27, 2024
Victoria fires: more than 30,000 evacuations urged ahead of Wednesday’s bushfire risk About 100 schools, early childhood facilities to close ahead of what could be worst fire day in Victoria in four years The Guardian - AU · Feb 27, 2024
Integrity chief named as Victoria's next ombudsman Independent Broad-Based Anti-Corruption Commission chief executive Marlo Baragwanath will be Victoria's next ombudsman, taking over from Deborah Glass. AAP · Feb 27, 2024
Six-month deadline set for review into mass blackout The Victorian government has appointed three experts to lead a review into the response of power providers to storms that crippled the transmission network. AAP · Feb 26, 2024
Longer regional rail strike as dispute deepens Workers on Victoria's regional rail network will strike for 13 hours on the eve of the Labour Day long weekend as a union ramps up action against V/Line. AAP · Feb 26, 2024
'Leave early': thousands warned to flee wild bushfires Victorians who could be caught in the path of raging fires are being urged to relocate before hot and windy conditions threaten lives and homes. AAP · Feb 26, 2024
Blackout payments expanded after second Victorian storm Compensation payments have been expanded to Victorians kicked off power for a total of seven days across separate storms. AAP · Feb 26, 2024
Aboriginal death in custody inquest to look at parole Victoria's parole laws will be probed by a coroner examining the death of an Aboriginal woman who was found unconscious by her sister in prison. AAP · Feb 26, 2024
AAP · Feb 25, 2024 Scramble to set up camp ahead of extreme fire danger Extreme or catastrophic fire danger is predicted in six of Victoria's nine weather districts, with temperatures of more than 40C tipped in the state's west.
The Guardian - AU · Feb 25, 2024 ‘Grave concern’ over Wednesday heat spike in Victoria after six homes destroyed in bushfires Firefighters continue to battle blazes as they brace for temperatures to exceed 40C in western parts of the state this week
AAP · Feb 24, 2024 Six homes destroyed, bushfire tipped to burn for weeks Communities affected by a bushfire west of Ballarat have been warned it is not safe to return, with six homes confirmed to have been destroyed by the blaze.
The Guardian - AU · Feb 23, 2024 Victoria fires: at least three homes destroyed as authorities warn towns still under threat Warnings remained in place for a group of communities west of Ballarat as crews work to get blaze under control
AAP · Feb 23, 2024 Fire rages as Vic braces for 'worst day in four years' A bushfire west of Ballarat is expected to burn for days if not weeks but firefighters are concerned about changing weather conditions on Wednesday.
The Guardian - AU · Feb 23, 2024 ‘It’s just what you do for people’: the volunteer force helping Victoria’s Beaufort bushfire evacuees Thousands of people are under evacuation warnings due to a 11,000ha fire burning west of Ballarat and locals have opened their homes to help
The Guardian - AU · Feb 23, 2024 Afternoon Update: police officer charged with murder of Sydney couple; homes lost in Victorian bushfire; and the US returns to the moon Jesse Baird and his partner, Luke Davies, have been missing since Monday with the pair’s bloodied possessions found on Wednesday
AAP · Feb 23, 2024 Farmer fined $34k for his role in mass koala deaths Farmer James Troeth has pleaded guilty to animal cruelty offences over the mass killing of koalas at his property in Victoria's southwest.
The Guardian - AU · Feb 22, 2024 Morning Mail: rightwing blitz in Dunkley, third man sought in Sydney mystery, stocks soar on AI boom Activist group Advance is spending thousands to defeat Labor in Victoria byelection; police have ‘grave concerns’ for former TV presenter and boyfriend
AAP · Feb 22, 2024 Battle rages on as fire destroys at least one home Fire crews are set to fight a massive bushfire in western Victoria for days before another spike in severe conditions is forecast.
AAP · Feb 22, 2024 Axing stamp duty would leave '$30b hole' in budget Treasurer Tim Pallas isn't ruling out changes to Victoria's tax regime ahead of the budget but warns axing stamp duty would plunge the state further into debt.