Angus Smith

Melbourne

Associate Editor at Bendigo Times

Writer at Freelance

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Articles

Access increases to free medication to reverse opioid overdoses

1 week ago | timesnewsgroup.com.au | Angus Smith

More people across Victoria will be able to get access to free naloxone under an expansion of the state’s overdose prevention program. This week, acting Mental Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas announced the Take-Home Naloxone Program would be extended to all Needle and Syringe Program sites, allowing carers, family members and others likely to witness an opioid overdose to access the life-saving medication.
Victorians invited to have their say on multicultural review

1 week ago | timesnewsgroup.com.au | Angus Smith

MULTICULTURAL and multifaith communities across Victoria are being invited to help shape the future of the state’s multicultural policies and institutions. Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt this week announced the start of community consultations for Victoria’s Multicultural Review, which will engage communities across 10 regional and metropolitan areas.
Australians head to the polls this weekend

2 weeks ago | timesnewsgroup.com.au | Angus Smith

MORE than 7,000 polling places will open across the nation tomorrow (Saturday, May 3) as Australians cast their votes in the federal election. Polling places will open at 8am and close at 6pm sharp. The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) says 97 per cent of eligible voters are on the electoral roll, with more than 100,000 temporary workers helping deliver the election and more than 500 early voting centres already operating.
New watchdog powers to target misconduct on construction sites

2 weeks ago | timesnewsgroup.com.au | Angus Smith

A NEW referral service will be set up to handle complaints about misconduct on Victorian construction sites, under legislation introduced to Parliament this week. The Wage Theft Amendment Bill 2025, part of the Victorian government’s response to the Wilson review, will create a central complaints service within Workforce Inspectorate Victoria to refer allegations to the appropriate agency.
Torquay community battery project moves ahead

2 weeks ago | timesnewsgroup.com.au | Angus Smith

A NEW community battery will be installed in Torquay as part of a national push to improve access to renewable energy and reduce household power costs. Corangamite Labor federal memeber Libby Coker has announced the Yarra Energy Foundation will lead the delivery of the project, with funding through the federal government’s Community Batteries for Household Solar program.
Labor promises fast track for 6,000 tradies

2 weeks ago | timesnewsgroup.com.au | Angus Smith

A RE-ELECTED Albanese Labor government will invest $78 million to help 6,000 experienced workers become fully qualified tradies under a new national program. The Advanced Entry Trades Training program, announced as an election commitment on Wednesday, will use recognition of prior learning to assess existing skills and offer free, tailored training to fill any gaps.
Federal funding to improve Surf Coast crash hotspots

2 weeks ago | timesnewsgroup.com.au | Angus Smith

MORE than $3.3 million in federal funding has been allocated to improve safety at 11 crash-prone sites across the Surf Coast under the 2025–26 Black Spot Program. The funding, which was announced before the federal election was called, forms part of a broader national road safety package. The upgrades are part of a national $85 million commitment from the federal government to address dangerous locations across Victoria, Western Australia and Queensland.
Stronger laws target hate speech in Victoria

2 weeks ago | timesnewsgroup.com.au | Angus Smith

NEW anti-vilification laws passed by the Victorian parliament will extend protections to more groups and introduce tougher penalties for serious hate speech and threats. The Justice Legislation Amendment (Anti-vilification and Social Cohesion) Bill 2024 passed this week, with the Victorian government describing it as a key step toward strengthening social cohesion.
Liberals pledge $2 million for Torquay to Armstrong Creek bike path

3 weeks ago | timesnewsgroup.com.au | Angus Smith

A $2 million Liberal Party pledge would support the creation of a new dedicated bike path linking Torquay and Armstrong Creek, if the party wins the upcoming election. Liberal candidate for Corangamite Darcy Dunstan and City of Greater Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj arrived at their press conference on bikes to announce the commitment, which would help deliver a separated bike lane along Horseshoe Bend Road from South Beach Road in Torquay to Warralily Boulevard in Armstrong Creek.
Free mental health clinic coming to Torquay

1 month ago | timesnewsgroup.com.au | Angus Smith

A NEW Medicare Mental Health Centre will be established in Torquay, offering free, walk-in mental health care to residents across the Surf Coast, Armstrong Creek and Geelong region. The centre is part of a $225 million national rollout of 31 new and upgraded Medicare Mental Health Centres, funded through an Albanese Government election commitment. The service will offer support to people in distress, as well as ongoing care for those with more complex mental health needs.