Major boost for tradie students to solve housing crisis
Tradies will be able to complete their apprenticeships for free as a state government tries to ease the housing crisis.
crime, law and justice
Fracking company hits out at ‘failed’ legal challenge
A bid to stop a key fracking project has been dismissed as another "failed" attempt to deny economic and social benefits to a long-overlooked community.
‘Spectacular fall from grace’: elder jailed for abuse
A former Senior Victorian of the Year award-winner has mouthed "I'm alright" to his supporters in court as he was jailed for child sex abuse.
Latest technology for police amid crime crackdown
A state government will maintain its crime crackdown in a milestone budget, with police to get the latest technology including tasers and body worn cameras.
‘Don’t you dare’: driver warned before police shooting
A coroner has heard second-by-second details of a dramatic and deadly confrontation between a police officer and a driver.
Influencer accused of harming baby faces ‘complex’ case
Police have yet to confirm whether a social media influencer's DNA was found on a pill in a hospital where she allegedly poisoned her baby to gain online fame.
Belarus opposition leader, 13 others freed from jail
Fourteen dissidents including Belarus opposition leader Syarhei Tsikhanouski have been released from prison, media reports and relatives say.
Vulnerable pregnant women among adrift migrant workers
Pregnant migrants are increasingly seeking help in rural areas, while other temporary workers are in hiding after escaping modern slavery conditions.
Bruce Lehrmann pleads not guilty to car-stealing charge
Bruce Lehrmann, who was accused of raping fellow former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins, has pleaded not guilty to stealing a four-wheel drive.
Protester confident in fight against new police powers
A prominent activist says he is "very confident" after taking a state government to court over controversial anti-protest laws which expanded police powers.
Cost-of-living crisis blamed for soaring crime rates
Youth offending is at a record high in one state, latest figures reveal, as police attribute cost-of-living pressures to a jump in property crimes.
What’s the crime, say accused $10m fake merch dealers
Caught with over 500 fake luxury items, three founders of an alleged $10 million counterfeit empire have attacked the investigators who put them in custody.
Murder charge for man who allegedly shot dead policeman
Murder and assault charges have been laid against a man who allegedly fatally shot an experienced and respected police officer at a rural property.
Legal bill bailout to spare ex-Liberal boss bankruptcy
Ousted state Liberal leader John Pesutto will avoid bankruptcy after his party agreed to a loan to settle his $2.3 million debt to a defamed colleague.
Liberal leader’s unity call after $1.5m party bailout
Victorian Liberal leader Brad Battin denies he has sided against defamed MP Moira Deeming after supporting a $1.5 million party loan to his predecessor.
Mushroom jurors’ long weekend before verdict decision
Jurors sitting in Erin Patterson's triple-murder trial will have a four-day break before they hear the judge's final directions and begin deciding on a verdict.
Killer arsonist in parole bid ahead of fire anniversary
A community is preparing to mark the 25th anniversary of a horror fire in which 15 backpackers died after the killer arsonist launched a parole application.
Doubts after ‘unprecedented’ arrests over luxury fakes
Three men allegedly involved with a business selling knock-off designer watches and jewellery have been bailed as a magistrate questions the case against them.
Secret’s out: premier’s ex-partner misled watchdog
Former NSW Liberal premier Gladys Berejiklian's ex-partner has failed to hide a finding he misled a corruption probe over a $48 million property development.
Trio guilty again over ‘torturous’ toolbox murders
Three men have been found guilty of murder after two people were tortured over a drug dispute and stuffed into a toolbox before being dumped into a lagoon.
Lab boss suspended in latest DNA contamination scandal
The director of a forensic testing lab has been suspended following the emergence of contamination issues, with more than 30,000 samples still to be reviewed.
Diddy’s ex-assistant bought drugs, set up sex parties
The jury at Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking trial has heard his assistant's job included setting up sex parties and scoring drugs.
Clock ticking on state-run lab boss over DNA debacle
A premier has defended his government intervening to "clean up" a state-run forensic testing lab after the emergence of contamination issues.
Grandfather pens letter to PM after death in custody
The family of Kumanjayi White, who died in police custody on May 27, have stepped up their calls for justice and an independent probe into his death.
Police arrest three Australians over shooting in Bali
Three Australian men have been arrested on suspicion of murder over the fatal shooting of a fellow national on the Indonesian resort island of Bali.
Rapist appeals life sentence for ‘incredible cruelty’
Appeal judges have raised doubts about whether a man who abused and disfigured a woman should receive a lesser sentence for his decision to call an ambulance.
Optus says yes to record $100m fine for dodgy sales
Optus has agreed to a record fine for "unconscionable" sales to hundreds of consumers, including in remote Indigenous communities its network didn't cover.
Man accused of wife’s murder charged with bail breach
Police have charged a pilot accused of strangling his wife in a "murderous rage" and moving her body to stage a lawnmower accident with breaching bail.
Veteran takes last shot to overturn war crime findings
Disgraced special forces soldier Ben Roberts-Smith has launched a last-ditch bid to overturn findings that he likely engaged in war crimes while on deployment.
Puzzles and jumps: end game in mushroom murder trial
Mushroom cook Erin Patterson's lawyer has urged jurors to find his client not guilty of triple murder, saying prosecutors forced evidence to fit their theory.
Kebab shop shooting continues state’s ‘violent chapter’
An allegedly high-ranking organised crime figure is expected to recover from the latest attempt on his life as police hunt for those behind the brazen attack.