Madi Chwasta

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 week ago | abc.net.au | Madi Chwasta

From today, Victorians won't be able to buy machetes from a shop after knife-wielding youth gangs brawled at a shopping centre in Melbourne's north. Police allege seven males, some armed with machetes, brawled at Northland Shopping Centre on Sunday. Six have been charged with offences including affray and intentionally causing injury. Here's what we know about the ban. The sales ban starts today, Wednesday, May 28, at midday. It's a total ban on selling machetes.

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

Frightened shoppers and workers have described the moment a violent brawl between members of "rival gangs", some of whom were wielding machetes, broke out in a Melbourne shopping centre. Large crowds of people fled the Melbourne shopping centre attack in the food court. Ali Ozeer said he was closing up his cafe in the food court when he heard screaming. He said he saw a group of males being chased by another holding a knife, and then witnessed one man getting attacked. Loading...

2 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Madi Chwasta

Victoria's Labor government has handed down its budget for 2025-26, with debt predicted to rise to record levels. Balancing billions of dollars can get confusing. Here are some charts to try to make sense of the announcements. Years of spending has seen Victoria's net debt balloon to more than $167 billion in this coming budget. This is expected to rise even further, to about $194 billion in three years' time.

3 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Madi Chwasta

Everyone under 18 will be able to travel for free across Victoria's public transport network from next year. The policy is part of the state government's budget for the next financial year, which will be released on Tuesday. Seniors card holders will also get free public transport on weekends. The Victorian government will make public transport free for all children from next year in a bid to relieve cost-of-living pressures.