Jean Bell

3 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Jean Bell

Victorian councils are "deeply reluctant" to enforce the state government's increased emergency services levy as backlash from the agriculture sector intensifies. The Victorian government's Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund legislation passed through the Upper House on Thursday night and was met with outrage from some volunteer fire fighters.

3 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Jean Bell |Olivia Sanders

Eleven people have died on Victorian roads in the past five days, bringing the state's road toll to 114 so far this year. A CFA captain says knowing those involved when attending a crash scene is every first responder's "worst fear". The head of a road trauma counselling service has urged Victorians to drive with extra care, as though all road users are family members. After a string of fatal crashes, Victorians are being urged to drive as if every car on the road contains a loved one.

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Olivia Sanders |Jean Bell

Dan Tehan has clung onto the seat of Wannon, following a strong campaign from independent challenger Alex Dyson. The shadow minister for immigration and citizenship is now being touted as a potential opposition leader, following Peter Dutton's defeat. Political analysts say the Liberal party needs a new leader, but Mr Tehan might not be the pick for the job.

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Jean Bell

From Victoria's scenic south-west to the seaside suburbs of Perth in Western Australia, electorates that were once strongholds for the Labor and Liberal parties are witnessing a historic shift. Traditionally safe seats are flipping around the country, as voters put their hopes and dreams in independent and non-major party candidates. But it takes more than just hopes and dreams to create a seismic political shift that flies in the face of decades of voting history.

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Jean Bell

A jury has found a former Victorian Senior of the Year award winner guilty of sexually abusing a teenage boy more than a decade ago. Robert Charles Eccles, also known as Locky Eccles, had pleaded not guilty to four charges of indecent acts and five charges of sexual penetration involving a 16-year-old boy in 2012 and 2013. It was alleged Eccles abused the victim during massages he gave the boy at his Warrnambool home.