Tom Burton: VPS key to ‘delivering’ the ‘Danslide’
If there is an unsung hero of Saturday’s so-called 'Danslide' state election result, it is the Victorian public service. Read More
Daniel Andrews
Daniel Andrews v Steve Bracks on giving income tax to states
Let the states collect their own income tax, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull declared yesterday. It's a bold plan that took premiers by surprise. But it's not new — and has support among one former leader. Read More
Victoria promises Australia-first Family Violence Agency
Victoria will create an independent family violence agency, as recommended by the Royal Commission into Family Violence. Silos have obstructed responses in the past, advocates tell The Mandarin. Read More
Premiers plead Turnbull for metro rail money
Two Labor premiers have gotten in early on the prime ministerial changeover, expressing hope this morning that the change of leadership in Canberra would lead to a new approach to funding state public transport projects. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, who came to office on a promise to rid Melbourne of the previous government's controversial East-West Link road tunnel, announced that a significant investment by the Commonwealth in the state's public transport system would be "fair and reasonable". Although the Commonwealth was prepared to contribute $3 billion to East West Link, Abbott was antipathetic to federal funding for city public transport, arguing that the Commonwealth had "no history of funding urban rail". Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk also signaled a willingness to work with Turnbull to increase funding. Citing Turnbull's well-known penchant for catching public transport -- and tweeting about it -- Palaszczuk stated, "I want Mr Turnbull to now help fund public transport in Queensland." Read More
Victorian parliament to permanently fly Aboriginal flag
Victorian Premier Dan Andrews making great use of Instagram while making a serious point about recognition of Australia's first peoples: It is never too late to do the right thing. Beginning today, the Aboriginal flag will permanently fly over Victoria’s Parliament House. Flying alongside the Australian and Victorian State flag, the addition of the Aboriginal flag acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, and the continued strength of Aboriginal identity. A photo posted by Daniel Andrews (@danielandrewsmp) on Sep 14, 2015 at 6:33pm PDT Read More