Society

Committee finds FOI laws need an overhaul

Society | 24 September 2024

Victoria's 40-year-old Freedom of Information laws are outdated and no longer able to cope with the demand on the system, a new report has found.

Bill paves the way for funeral cost transparency

Society | 5 September 2024

A Bill to increase transparency among providers of funeral services will go to the Legislative Council, after passing the lower house last sitting week.

Youth facing financial and mental health challenges

Society | 16 July 2024

Young Victorians have been particularly affected by the rise in the cost of living, with lower incomes, less secure employment and lower home ownership rates all resulting in their greater vulnerability, a new paper from the Parliamentary Library has found.

Pirates, police, parliament: Trung Luu's refugee story

Society | 20 June 2024

By the time Trung Luu arrived in Australia, he had survived war, pirate attacks, a sinking ship and a refugee camp. He was just five years old.

State education inquiry’s powerful impact

Society | 13 June 2024

Members of the Legislative Council Legal and Social Issues Committee travelled to Bairnsdale, Traralgon, Bendigo and Shepparton for public hearings, which have wrapped up in Melbourne.

Farmers urged to have say on food supply

Society | 28 May 2024

The inquiry survey contains questions about land planning, farm finances and how the Victorian Government can ensure the viability of farms on the urban fringe.

Legislation paves the way to hire childcare workers

Society | 29 February 2024

A bill that would allow the Department of Education to employ staff at early learning centres has passed the Legislative Assembly.

Securing Victoria’s food supply

Society | 29 January 2024

Urban sprawl and population pressures on food production at the fringe of our major cities and towns to be addressed by a Lower House inquiry seeking public input.

Traffic cameras save lives, despite public scepticism

Society | 8 January 2024

Victorians remain sceptical about the true purpose of road safety cameras according to evidence presented to a parliamentary inquiry by the Road Safety Camera Commissioner.

Big day out for The Big Issue

Society | 1 December 2023

The community service achievements of The Big Issue over 27 years have been celebrated at Parliament House.

Report urges immediate action to fix housing affordability

Society | 30 November 2023

Victoria is the nation’s fastest growing state, yet households are decreasing in size, meaning there are more empty bedrooms just as there are increasing numbers of people who want to fill them.

Managing risk vital to harnessing AI potential

Society | 17 November 2023

Artificial intelligence systems can clone a human voice from just a three second sample, a Parliamentary Library seminar has heard.