Every Dollar is a Choice
Every dollar spent on the North East Link Toll Road, is a dollar taken away from things people need. So far the Victorian government has spent $26 billion on this project. Think about all the other things we could have funded with this sum. We could be spending this money on our struggling mental health […]
Homes over Airbnbs
Renters are being evicted so landlords can turn the homes into Airbnbs. Entire buildings are being taken off the rental market and are being listed instead as short stay accomodation on sites like Airbnb. These are buildings that were once affordable for young people, and now they’re $900 a week on airbnb. This is happening […]
Safe Rail Crossing at Coolabah Reserve
Over 1000 residents have signed a petition supporting a safe pedestrian rail crossing at Coolabah Reserve. Around $2 million of funding was allocated to building a pedestrian bridge over the Diamond Creek at Edendale Farm. This project has since been cancelled as it has been determined to be no longer feasible. Since this money has […]
Melbourne Cost of Living
Melbourne is a great city. It’s known for its food, its art, its cappuccinos, and being categorically better than Sydney. Unfortunately it’s also a very expensive city to live in. And its getting more expensive year on year. So what’s the breakdown of these costs? The median cost of rent is $560 a week, give […]
Mental Health Services Funding
Community mental health services are critical. In my region, there are several that don’t have funding locked in after June this year. These include: The mental health hubs provide short term psychological support and interventions to people unable to access other forms of support. And the Youth Outreach program supports young people with complex psychological […]
Who Can Afford the North East Link Tolls?
People are already struggling with cost of living pressures, but the Labor government is building a toll road that will cost people even more. It is still unknown how much it will cost people to actually use the North East Link Toll Road once it is finally completed. But for many people who can’t afford […]
Public School Funding Cuts
The so-called ‘education state’ of Victoria has ripped 2.4 billion dollars of funding from our already underfunded public schools. The State Government has an agreement to fund 75% of public schools. With the federal government committing to fund the remaining 25%, but only once the state has reached it’s 75% first. The Victorian Labor government […]
Toxic Oceans Suffocating Fish
Thousands of fish, sharks, rays and other marine life are currently suffocating underwater and are washing up dead on the beaches of South Australia. It’s a marine disaster which is causing local kangaroo deaths too. The images of Australia’s beaches covered in deceased wildlife are really distressing. But as the ocean warms, these events could […]
Fining the Homeless?
Imagine having to pay to sleep on the streets. Well that’s effectively what the City of Port Phillip and the City of Melbourne are considering. A fine for people sleeping rough. Making homelessness a crime. As if it’s a choice, as if people would be sleeping on the street if they had any other option […]
Anti-vilification Reforms
*with Greens Amendments After years of tireless campaigning, anti-vilification laws in Victoria have finally been expanded. Throughout this time, the community has been clear: We need to ensure that people from the LGBTQIA+ and disabled communities are protected from hate speech. And our amendments have ensured other groups affected by hateful acts will be protected […]