Benita Kolovos

1 week ago | theguardian.com | Henry Belot |Benita Kolovos

Suburbs with significant Chinese Australian populations in key marginal seats recorded huge swings to Labor of up to 30%, and strategists and analysts warn the Liberal party has failed to rebuild trust with the community. The Liberal party’s review of the 2022 federal election found hawkish rhetoric on China cost it votes in several seats with high numbers of Chinese Australians. It called for greater community outreach and to rebuild trust before the 2025 poll.

1 week ago | theguardian.com | Benita Kolovos

If anyone is as happy as Anthony Albanese right now, it’s Jacinta Allan. As the federal election results rolled in on Saturday night, one of the biggest surprises came in Victoria – where Labor defied months of grim predictions to strengthen its grip on the state. Despite relentless commentary about Allan’s unpopularity and the supposed drag she posed on the Labor vote – not just from the Liberals but by her own federal colleagues – the state swung even harder to the party than it did in 2022.

1 week ago | theguardian.com | Benita Kolovos

On a grey Monday morning outside the State Library in Melbourne’s CBD, there’s little to suggest anything out of the ordinary – no protests, no placards, no media. But stream of women – and a few men – are making their way inside for what is, in fact, a landmark event.

1 week ago | theguardian.com | Benita Kolovos |Henry Belot

Fears of a Labor bloodbath in Victoria in the federal election were utterly confounded, with the Liberals recording a statewide swing against them and the party all but certain to lose several seats. Late on Saturday night, according to the Australian Electoral Commission, Labor had won 23 of the state’s 38 seats while the Coalition was at six – three held by the Nationals and three by the Liberals. Independents had three, with six still in doubt.

2 weeks ago | theguardian.com | Benita Kolovos

The Victorian magistrates court is moving to shed more staff, with family violence roles and eight jobs in the Koori court among its latest proposed cuts, in a move the state’s Aboriginal legal service has described as a “slap in the face”. A “change proposal” document, seen by Guardian Australia, shows the court is planning to cut 48 roles across its programs, services and support teams, to be replaced with just 35 new roles – a net loss of 13 staff.