Fight for Land Compensation by the Greek Orthodox Community
The Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne has taken its land dispute to the Supreme Court of Victoria. They are seeking more than double the $11.48 million that the Department of Transport and Planning paid for land taken due to the North East Link project. The community argues that the real value of the land is significantly higher. Meanwhile, the total cost of the project has skyrocketed to $26 billion, which is over double the initial budget!
Mixed Reactions to Premier’s New Initiative for Construction Sites
Victoria’s Premier, Jacinta Allan, has just announced the formation of a new task force aimed at tackling criminal activities at construction sites. Interestingly, police revealed that this unit has actually been active for the past nine months, raising some eyebrows about the need for a formal re-launch.
Crackdown on Tobacco Smuggling Syndicate
In a major operation, police have targeted a tobacco smuggling ring run by Kazem Hamad, resulting in weapon seizures and arrests linked to extortion activities at tobacco stores. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about illegal trade practices in the region.
Calls for Stricter Anti-Extortion Laws
Opposition leader Peter Dutton is advocating for tougher national laws to combat corruption within the CFMEU union. He describes recent revelations as “the biggest corruption scandal in the country’s history.” The government, however, has dismissed his proposal as “reckless.”
New Budget Expected to Show Deficit – End of Surplus Era
Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers has confirmed that next week’s budget will reveal a deficit, despite recent revenue boosts from exports. Opposition members point out that Australian taxpayers are feeling the pinch, with the average tax burden rising by $3,500 compared to 2021-22.
Trade War Woes for Australia
Treasurer Jim Chalmers is set to warn about the economic impacts of tariffs imposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump. He’s expected to highlight how escalating trade tensions could increase inflation and cost the Australian economy billions.
Political Tensions Over New Bail Laws in Victoria
Victoria is seeing a surge of political tension as the Liberals resist proposed changes to bail laws put forward by the Allan government. An enlightening briefing was interrupted by the opposition, who accused the government of arrogance in handling the matter.
Collapse of GrowPro Leaves Students in Limbo
More than 1,100 international students are facing financial uncertainty following the collapse of GrowPro, an agency that advertised services for students. Authorities are investigating whether the company was operating unsoundly and possibly deceiving students who had prepaid for services.
Medical Research Institutes Face Bankruptcy Threat
Melbourne’s medical research institutes are at a critical juncture, with many potentially heading towards bankruptcy within the next two years due to funding gaps. The city might lose its crown as the capital of medical research in Australia if this trend continues.
