Elise Kinsella

1 week ago | abc.net.au | Elise Kinsella |Madi Chwasta

You'd only have to have paid passing attention to the news in the last few years to know youth crime is a hot-button issue. It's been debated on talkback radio, at community forums and by news outlets across the country, contributing to a growing sense of community fear. Most recently in Victoria it was a machete fight at a large Melbourne shopping centre, where most of the people allegedly involved were aged 18 or younger and on bail.

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Elise Kinsella

Just before new residential zoning rules came into force, a real estate pamphlet arrived in Richard Arbon's letterbox. "It talked about the activity centres and was encouraging us to talk to them if we wanted to sell our property," he said. Mr Arbon lives in the leafy and historic suburb of Camberwell in Melbourne's inner east, where huge zoning changes designed to create more housing near established infrastructure are expected to significantly change his neighbourhood.

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Leanne Wong |Elise Kinsella

Turmoil within a council in Melbourne's north has deepened, with the mayor of Whittlesea City Council suspended and an inquiry launched, following "serious issues of governance and health and safety concerns". On Wednesday, Local Government Minister Nick Staikos announced Whittlesea council mayor Aidan McLindon would be suspended for six months and banned from performing any councillor duties, including attending meetings, delegated committees or council premises.

Feb 24, 2024 | abc.net.au | Elise Kinsella |Jean Bell

In short: Wildlife and conservation groups worry not enough was done to plan for protecting endangered species this fire season. Australia's fire season is, on average, starting earlier and producing more intense and long-lasting blazes. What's next? Conservation groups say they would like to see statewide mapping to show which species are most endangered and what is being done to protect them.

Jan 12, 2024 | abc.net.au | Elise Kinsella

It was while battling through the deep snow, the freezing cold temperatures, and the ferocious winds of Antarctica that Donna Urquhart realised the scale of the challenge she had taken on. Last month the Melbourne pain scientist and mother set off with the aim of running 1,300 kilometres on the southern most continent – hoping to set a new world record for the longest polar run ever completed.