Benita Kolovos

In this video, I read out the name of Wafa Aludaini, a Palestinian journalist who wrote for several publications including The Guardian. She also mentored young journalists. On 29 September 2024, she was killed alongside her husband and two of her children in an Israeli airstrike.

They had said it would put lives in danger to block the bridge…

I get the Libs are trying to make a pun about their proposed move on laws but this just feels out of touch. People aren’t just going to “move on” from what’s happening in Gaza - if anything, the public outcry has only grown louder. It’s why today’s rallies are expected to be the biggest yet.

Victorian Labor party members to push for ‘immediate’ federal recognition of a Palestinian state Exclusive: Labor Friends of Palestine to move three ‘urgency resolutions’ at weekend conference, but PM maintains no immediate plans for the move

Victorian Labor members will use this weekend’s state conference to demand the federal government “immediately” recognise a Palestinian state and impose sanctions on Israel – in what will be their strongest push to date on the issue www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... via @australia.theguardian.com

‘Disgusting’ slogan apparently directed at Victorian premier seen at rally attended by Brad Battin and union boss ‘Ditch the bitch’ was emblazoned on a fire truck at a rally against the state’s new emergency services levy

‘Disgusting’ slogan apparently directed at Victorian premier seen at rally attended by Brad Battin and union boss www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... via @australia.theguardian.com

Not very often we make the front page of the UK paper:

Well jury watch escalated quickly. Here’s my yarn: www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... with @ninobucci.bsky.social

And - this applies even if you don't like what people are protesting.

I'm in Morwell on jury watch, and I'm not sure why it even needs reminding, but the right to protest is fundamental to our democracy. Protest literally achieved so many things we take for granted today. Any attempt to restrict the right to protest needs to be carefully scrutinised #springst

This was a fun day at work. More here: www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... via @australia.theguardian.com

Don’t believe the hype: Victorian government deserves credit for not buckling to aggressive pro-gas campaign Australia’s most gas-reliant state takes a significant step to move households and businesses away from fossil fuels and cut energy bills

Don’t believe the hype: Victorian government deserves credit for not buckling to aggressive pro-gas campaign www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... via @adammorton.bsky.social

That’s the language Emma used 😅

FREEZE Parliament I'm raising money for a cause close to my heart and would love your support.

Victoria's parliament is holding their own Big Freeze next week. If you'd like to donate you can do so here: support.fightmnd.org.au/fundraisers/...

‘I’m not done fighting’: diagnosed with MND, Victorian MP Emma Vulin still has a lot to achieve After seeing the parliament made more accessible, the 45-year-old wants to help usher in changes to the state’s voluntary assisted dying laws

Got to speak to the incredible Victorian MP Emma Vulin about her battle with MND and her push to bring the state's voluntary assisted dying laws in line with other states: www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... via @australia.theguardian.com #springst #fightmnd #vad

Why do I feel like this warning from the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee chair, Laverton MP Sarah Connolly, is pointed: "Witnesses should be aware that all microphones are live during the hearings and anything said may be picked up and captioned, even if said quietly". #springst #paec

Victorian public servants hit back at Labor’s planned job cuts with push to curb ‘executive bloat’ instead Report argues large-scale public sector job losses can be avoided in part by ‘culling’ 450 executive-level roles

Victorian public servants hit back at Labor’s planned job cuts with push to curb ‘executive bloat’ instead www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... via @australia.theguardian.com #springst

Gina Rinehart helped Liberals raise nearly $400,000 at exclusive dinner that led to wrongful dismissal claim Victorian Liberal party embroiled in dispute as Fair Work Commission accepts submission from sacked event organiser

Gina Rinehart helped Liberals raise nearly $400,000 at exclusive dinner that led to wrongful dismissal claim www.theguardian.com/business/202... with @henrybelot.bsky.social via @australia.theguardian.com #springst #auspol

Australia news live: PM again pushes back at US demand for more defence spending; Minns says tobacco tax hike boosted organised crime Follow live

Bankruptcy proceedings have been launched against former Victorian opposition leader John Pesutto after he failed to meet a deadline to pay $2.3m in legal costs to Liberal MP Moira Deeming. More via the @australia.theguardian.com live blog: www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... #springst #breaking

Comments are now open on this piece if you're keen to weigh in #springst

Is the cost-of-living crisis over? Victoria’s new treasurer is optimistic, but housing remains a battleground Exclusive: Jaclyn Symes is confident cost pressures will have eased by the 2026 election, and that voters won’t be spooked by the state’s debt

Exclusive: in her only post-budget sit down, the Victorian treasurer, Jaclyn Symes, says she is confident cost pressures will have eased by the 2026 election, and that voters won’t be spooked by the state’s debt www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... via @australia.theguardian.com

In my most recent interview with the opposition leader Brad Battin he said he had no plans to change the current abortion laws in Victoria. Didn’t ask about voluntary assisted dying but assume if we end up making changes to Vic laws they’d be allowed a conscience vote like last time.

Victoria says it is getting out of gas – so why has it approved a new LNG import terminal? State government says Viva Energy’s floating terminal near Geelong will not undermine net zero target, while Greens call project ‘polluting [and] unnecessary’

And a great explainer from @petrastock.bsky.social on the Victorian government’s approval of a new LNG import terminal, despite claiming they’re getting out of gas: www.theguardian.com/environment/...

After a week of spectacular self-sabotage, the Victorian Liberal party’s pain is only just beginning As John Pesutto scrambles to raise funds to pay $2.3m owed to Moira Deeming, the saga threatens to ‘engulf the entire party’, including its new leader

My analysis on the Victorian Liberals’ shocker week and why it’s only going to get worse from here: www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Secret figures show Liberal party’s ageing membership in freefall in NSW and Victoria Exclusive: Sources reveal closely guarded membership numbers as average age hits 68 in Victoria

Heaps of Victorian stories up on the @australia.theguardian.com home page this morning, including this piece from @henrybelot.bsky.social and I on the Liberal party’s ageing membership in freefall: www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... #auspol #springst

Victorian Liberals prepare last-minute bid to bail out John Pesutto with loan to help pay $2.3m defamation costs Exclusive: Liberal sources say proposal to help former opposition leader avoid bankruptcy is being finalised

Exclusive: Victorian Liberals prepare last-minute bid to bail out John Pesutto with loan to help pay $2.3m defamation costs www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... via @australia.theguardian.com

Do you live in Australia? Are you a man aged 18-30? Want to contribute to research on how masculinity and appearance ideals are represented on social media? My brother’s doing his psych thesis on this topic if you'd like to help him by doing a anon survey: monash.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

Buy The Socially Democratic Podcast - LIVE! tickets, VIC 2025 | Moshtix Buy The Socially Democratic Podcast - LIVE! tickets for 2025 at Moshtix. Taking place at THE TOFF IN TOWN, MELBOURNE on May 29th, 2025, you can find more ticket and event information, lineup, artists, set times and extra show dates online.

The second is a live recording of the Socially Democratic podcast at the Toff, which will be a wrap up of federal Labor's landslide. Tickets here: www.moshtix.com.au/v2/event/the...

2025 Pollies v Media - The Great Debate The State Parliament Victoria Lions Club is a bipartisan community group made up of members of the Victorian Parliament. The Great Debate will be...

Hello! I must admit I'm not very consistent at posting here but there's two events coming up too good not to share. The first is parli's "great debate" between pollies and journos - with this year's cause the Lions Clubs program for drought-stricken farmers. Tickets here: www.trybooking.com/DBLFT

Former Victorian Liberal leader John Pesutto ordered to pay $2.3m in costs over Moira Deeming defamation Sum is on top of $300,000 in damages former Victorian Liberal leader paid after being found to have repeatedly defamed MP

Former Victorian opposition leader, John Pesutto, has been ordered to pay $2.3m in costs after losing a defamation case brought by Liberal MP Moira Deeming www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... via @australia.theguardian.com

Probably none 🫣