Politics
Victoria
The treasurer says Victoria’s economy is improving. Economists say otherwise.
Who doubts Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas’ fiscal repair strategy? It’s the economists, stupid.
- by Chip Le Grand
Latest
Analysis
Victorian Parliament
No bigger play behind Groth’s massive serve
Instead of working the phones and doing the numbers for a leadership spill, Sam Groth is spending his Saturday hosting mates at a pre-Christmas barbecue.
- by Chip Le Grand
The wagons are circling, but John Pesutto is ready for a last stand
The opposition leader has taken a political basket case and turned them into a viable government-in-waiting. But for some of his colleagues, a third year with Pesutto as leader is untenable.
- by Rachel Eddie, Kieran Rooney and Chip Le Grand
Sam Groth calls game, set, match on Pesutto leadership
Sam Groth has resigned from the Liberal Party frontbench, a further sign of turmoil in the Victorian Liberal Party following John Pesutto’s defamation lawsuit loss.
- by Chip Le Grand, Kieran Rooney and Rachel Eddie
Updated
Victorian Parliament
Fire services levy to double, congestion charge expanded as state deficit grows by $1.4b
A hike in the fire services levy will pay for other emergency services and parking will cost more across the inner east as a budget update reveals Victoria’s deficit continues to climb.
- by Kieran Rooney and Chip Le Grand
Pesutto clings to party leadership after defamation drubbing
Revelations John Pesutto’s court fight with Moira Deeming could have been settled for just $99,000 have left angry Liberal MPs discussing options to move against him.
- by Rachel Eddie, Chip Le Grand and Kieran Rooney
Moira Deeming all smiles as she eyes return to Liberal ranks
After a resounding court victory, the exiled MP insists she can work with those who expelled her.
- by Kieran Rooney and Rachel Eddie
Analysis
Liberal Party
The lifeline that let John Pesutto survive. For now
Federal Court judge David O’Callaghan was scathing of the opposition leader’s performance in the witness box but stopped short of finding he lied.
- by Chip Le Grand
As it happened: Ousted Liberal MP Moira Deeming wins high-profile defamation case; Opposition Leader John Pesutto declares he will not resign
John Pesutto was a man driven by political fear, a high-stakes defamation judgment found today. He now faces a legal bill up to $2m but has vowed to stay on in his job. Meanwhile, Moira Deeming says she feels vindicated.
- by Rachel Eddie, Cassandra Morgan and Lachlan Abbott
Political Sketch
John Pesutto
Note to Pesutto: Don’t mention the war
Two famously wry aphorisms warn against comparisons with Hitler or the Nazis in public arguments. Perhaps John Pesutto should have taken note.
- by Tony Wright
Updated
Defamation
‘I’m a fighter’: John Pesutto declares he’ll stay as leader after damning defamation judgment
The opposition leader said he was disappointed by a decision ordering him to pay Moira Deeming $300,000 but intended to remain in his job.
- by Rachel Eddie