Category: MELBOURNE

Expelled Liberal MP Bernie Finn Becomes Democratic Labour Party Leader for Victoria

Victorian MP Bernie Finn has joined the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) and will lead the party at the state election this November. His expulsion comes after the Victorian branch of the traditionally centre-right Liberal Party passed a motion on May 24 cancelling Finn’s membership, which he had held for 41 years. The move was in…


Survey Finds 50 Percent of Australian Youth Experienced Negative Mental Health, Worse in Lockdown States

A 2021 survey led by Mission Australia and Orygen on Australian youths has found around half, or 50 percent of those surveyed, found their mental health was affected by the pandemic, with high lockdown states such as New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria having the highest reports of adverse mental health. Victorian youths, who experienced…


Chinese Foreign Interference Suspect Allegedly Donated $37,000 to Australian Hospital to Gain Influence, Court Told

The first person to be charged under Australia’s ground-breaking foreign interference laws is in court defending allegations he was “preparing for a foreign interference offence.” Duong Di Sanh, a Melbourne-based Asian community leader, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court on May 17 after being under surveillance in a year-long investigation by the Australian Federal Police and…


Australian Voters ‘Gearing for Change’ From Major Parties Post-COVID: Live Streamer

Two years of government-mandated lockdowns has left a permanent mark on how suburban and regional Australians approach elections, with voters disillusioned with the major parties and keen for change, according to live streamer Rukshan Fernando. Fernando was a permanent fixture during months-long protests against COVID-19 regulations in Melbourne in 2021. His live streams of the…


Victorian Premier Called Out Over His Role in the State Health Emergency

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has been questioned over his role in the state’s health crisis that led to the death of a 14-year-old girl waiting for an ambulance as well as 15 other Victorians’ deaths in the recent months. 14-year-old Lydia Anseline died on April 13 from an asthma attack after waiting for over 30…


Melbourne City Loses Horse-Drawn Carriages

Horse-drawn carriages will be banned in the Melbourne Central Business District from next month. Operators can still work on the outskirts of the city, including the Royal Botanic Gardens and other park precincts. Transport Minister Ben Carroll said horse-drawn carriages posed a safety risk for commuters, pedestrians and motorists in the city centre. Victorian Transport…


Singer Nick Cave Confirms Son Jethro Lazenby Has Died at 31

CANBERRA, Australia—Australian singer-songwriter Nick Cave has confirmed the death of his son Jethro Lazenby at age 31. “With much sadness, I can confirm that my son, Jethro, has passed away,” the frontman of rock band Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds said in a statement Tuesday. “We would be grateful for family privacy at this…


Victorian Liberal Slam Labor’s Plans to Build Second Drug Injection Room

The Victorian Liberals have slammed the state government’s plans to build a second drug injection room in metropolitan Melbourne, stating that it “must not go ahead” as the release of the consultation report on the second room gets further delayed. “Labor is focused on further destroying the CBD’s efforts to recover and rebuild by putting…


Really Deep Messages Shared in Shen Yun: Lawyer

MELBOURNE, Australia—Lawyer Leanne Sinclair said it was a privileged to experience Shen Yun Performing Arts at Melbourne’s Palais Theatre on April 26. Shen Yun is currently touring Australia to present “China before communism,” and Ms. Sinclair said she was blown away by the scope and quality of dancing. A world-renowned classical Chinese dance company based…


Polish Soprano Says Shen Yun’s Message is Loving and Peaceful

MELBOURNE, Australia—When Shen Yun Performing Arts came to the Palais Theatre in Melbourne, Irena Grainge, a soprano and actress, was looking forward to attending an amazing performance with her friend. “And I am enjoying it very much,” said Ms. Grainge, who performs in films, television, and opera both in Australia and internationally. “I love the…