Victoria

The Victorian and Federal governments have announced a $50 million emergency relief package for farmers affected by the January 2026 bushfires. Reducing red tape through Local Disaster Recovery Funds include $40 million in recovery grants of up to $75,000 for clean-up and fencing (while the $10 million in concessional loans to rebuild damaged assets is improved by waiving mortgage security requirements). In a historic crisis for agriculture, the assistance is designed to deliver immediate relief and ongoing recovery support to help Victoria’s primary producers recover.

A Gobur village resident has died as raging bushfires continue to scorch parts of south-eastern Australia. More than 300 buildings, including some 80 homes, have been destroyed and a combined area of more than 350,000 hectares has been scorched since the heatwave took hold. Premier Jacinta Allan has announced a State of Disaster will apply in 18 areas, as firefighters say fires near Longwood and the Otways may still burn for weeks. Thousands remain without power, and in Harcourt and other towns, families grieve their lost homes and livelihoods.

Victoria is in a state of disaster as uncontrollable bushfires sweep through the Otways and Central Victoria. Some 130 homes have been left devastated, with the town of Harcourt hit hardest. Two large fires burning in Great Otway National Park have led to emergency evacuations, as a record-breaking heatwave hits day four. Parts of the Great Ocean Road have been closed and authorities are warning that unstable weather conditions could ignite yet more blazes over the weekend.

At least 10 homes and a community school in the town of Ruffy have been lost to an “impossible” bushfire in Victoria, where three people are unaccounted for within the fire zone. The blazes are being whipped up by a record-breaking heatwave sending thermometers above 110°F in parts of southeastern Australia. Fire crews are also cautions that the Longwood fire is still out of control and being erratic with the high winds. People are being warned to implement survival plans as dangerous heatwave conditions grip several states.

Melbourne-based IND Technology has announced a significant AUD $50 million institutional funding round, marking the company’s first major institutional investment as it scales its Early Fault Detection (EFD) system globally. The funding comes from prominent investors, including Angeleno Group and Energy Impact Partners as lead co-investors, alongside Edison International and Virescent Ventures.​ The investment underscores…

On Sunday in Melbourne CBD anti-immigration organization Put Australia, counter-demonstrators marched with a significant police force ensuring the groups remained apart. Authorities apprehended one individual after uncovering knuckle dusters. Law enforcement is probing reports of a Nazi symbol being shown and an object thrown at officers. Counter-protesters left before One Nation Senator Pauline Hanson spoke at the immigration gathering in Flagstaff Gardens. Hanson mentioned she supported migrants but voiced worries about division. Rallies remained largely peaceful unlike October protests that saw violent clashes and two officers hospitalized. Police designated the CBD area subject to expanded search powers for six months. 

A fire closed Qantas Terminal 1 at Melbourne Airport on Friday evening evacuating thousands from the area. Fire Rescue Victoria put out the flames. Incoming flights remained parked on the runway unable to disembark passengers. ABC reporter Craig Dixons’ Sydney-bound plane waited behind four others in line. Several passengers remained trapped on the aircraft for up to two hours post-landing. Flights, to Brisbane, Sydney and Adelaide were called off. Qantas reported delays. The airport did not disclose the fire’s cause or origin. A spokesperson emphasised that passenger and staff safety is the priority. The terminal partially reopened after emergency services gave clearance. 

Stallion St Jean passed away on November 25 after colliding with a fence post in his paddock at Brackley Park, Avenel. This incident occurred three weeks following his son Half Yours triumph in the 2025 Melbourne Cup. St Jean suffered a front leg and was euthanised after the veterinarian declared the injuries untreatable. Half Yours earned $8.7 million from victories in the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup boosting interest, in St Jeans breeding services. He had 35 mares scheduled for the breeding season. Dwyer said death was untimely as breeders were recognizing his incredible pedigree. 

Over 14,000 Optus customers in Frankston and Mornington Peninsula lost service
after thieves cut cables stealing copper. The outage started at 9am and lasted until 11:20am. Optus said no Triple Zero calls got disrupted. One customer missed the news of his sister giving birth. Shadow minister Melissa McIntosh wants Triple Zero listed as critical infrastructure. This follows a September outage linked to two deaths. Optus faces Senate inquiry and criticism over crisis response. The company added daily Triple Zero testing and plans to move emergency call centres back to Australia. 

Starting today Victorian tenants have the right to receive 90 days notice before any rent hikes under new tenant protection legislation. Rental bidding is prohibited, making it unlawful for agents to take offers exceeding the listed price. Evictions without cause are banned, tenants can only be evicted for property damage, unpaid rent, landlord occupancy or property sale. Rentals must comply with standards, including a fixed heater in the living area and curtains or blinds, in bedrooms. Smoke alarms must be. Tested every 12 years.