Ban on foreign buyers of existing homes
The Federal Labor Party has pledged to bar foreign investors from purchasing existing homes for at least two years. Starting 1 April 2025, foreign buyers will be prohibited from acquiring existing properties until 31 March 2027—unless the purchase is part of a development project involving at least 20 properties. This policy echoes the promise made by Opposition Leader Peter Dutton during his budget speech last May and is aimed at stabilizing the housing market by protecting domestic buyers from excessive foreign influence.
Victoria Police Chief resigns
Victoria Police Chief Sean Paton has resigned following a resounding no-confidence vote by members of the Victoria Police Association (TPAV) on Friday. The decision comes amid an ongoing dispute over pay and the management of relations between TPAV and the state government. In the interim, Emergency Management Commissioner Rick Newtzent will assume the role until a permanent successor is named, as Paton’s position had grown increasingly untenable—even though he was expected to serve a second five-year term.
Extended duck hunting season draws criticism
Animal welfare and environmental groups have voiced strong objections to the Victorian government’s decision to extend the duck hunting season for 2025. According to the announcement, the season will begin on 19 March and run for nearly 12 weeks until 9 June, allowing hunters the opportunity to bag more ducks than last year. In addition, for the first five days of the season hunting will be banned until 8:00 a.m., after which it can commence 30 minutes before sunrise. Critics argue that the extended season will put extra strain on natural resources and potentially harm local ecosystems.
Poll: Dutton gains ground in tight election race
A new poll—the first of its kind in Australia—indicates that Peter Dutton is gaining momentum, although the race against Anthony Albanese remains tight. The data shows that on a two-party preferred basis the Coalition leads 52% to 48%. In the primary vote, the Coalition is at 43%, Labor at 33%, with the Greens and other candidates making up the remaining 12%. YouGov’s latest MRP model suggests that if a federal election were held today, the Coalition could win around 73 seats (range: 65–80) compared to Labor’s 66 seats (range: 59–72). The federal election is expected to be held by 17 May.
Teachers clash with state government over wage demands
Teachers in Victoria are gearing up for a showdown with the state government, demanding wage increases of up to 30%—a move that could add as much as $1.5 billion to the state’s public payroll. The strike action comes amid growing pressure to improve working conditions and ensure better quality education for students, as educators claim that current salaries do not adequately reflect their workload and responsibilities.
Taxi industry under fire for fraud and passenger abuse
Allegations of fraud and other criminal activities in the taxi industry have sparked outrage among judges, consumer advocates, and disability rights groups. In a recent incident, a taxi driver was caught on security cameras mistreating and exploiting passengers—with 499 offenses recorded in just one vehicle. A 10‐minute ride reportedly cost passengers $325, and hidden camera footage exposing these abuses has ignited widespread public fury.
Two crime waves hit east and southeast Melbourne
The Criminal Investigations Unit is investigating two distinct crime waves that struck Melbourne’s eastern and southeastern suburbs on Saturday night. In one incident, three petrol station employees were attacked while thieves stole cigarettes and cash. Police are now calling on anyone with eyewitness accounts or security camera footage to help resolve the cases.
Coldest February night in Victoria in over 25 years
Parts of Victoria experienced the coldest February night in more than 25 years. Unseasonable summer snow fell on Mount Bouler and Mount Hotham in the Victorian Alps on Saturday, prompting surprise and raising concerns about climate change. Meteorologists expect warmer conditions to return by next weekend, and residents are advised to keep an eye on updates from the Bureau of Meteorology.
