Latest explainers
Plain-English explainers on breaking news in Melbourne, Victoria and Australia, with every source linked.
Planning a Christmas street party in Melbourne? Council permits, costs and deadlines explained, and Darebin's backflip
Want to close your street for a Christmas party? How Melbourne council permits work, what they cost (free to about $210, or far more), the 6-week lead time, and the Darebin and Moonee Valley changes.
Why Penny Wong wouldn't pose with Russia at the G20, and what it means if Putin turns up in Miami in December
The US scrapped the G20 foreign ministers' 'family photo' in Atlanta after Australia, the UK, Canada and European nations refused to stand with Russia's Sergey Lavrov. What happened, why Australia objected, and the bigger test coming at the 14–15 December leaders' summit in Miami.
Europe's youth-led protests explained: why France is on a third weekend of marches, what 'Gen Z regelt' wants in Germany, and what Australian travellers should know
About 320,000 people marched in France on 31 October, the third straight weekend of youth-led protests over schools and living costs, and rallies spread to Germany and Portugal. What's driving them, what happened, and what Smartraveller says ahead of the next French protest day on 5 November.
Paid reproductive health leave: what unions want nationally, what Victorian and Queensland public servants already get, and what you can use now
Unions want 10 days of paid reproductive health leave added to the National Employment Standards. What a federal inquiry is weighing, how Victoria's 5-day VPS clause and Queensland's 10 days work, and what the law gives you today.
Is government spending fuelling inflation? What's driving the federal budget, Labor's savings hunt, and the Coalition's $31 billion cuts plan
Federal spending is at its highest share of the economy outside the pandemic in four decades. What's driving it, what Gallagher said, and the Coalition's $31bn plan.
Six deaths on Victorian roads in two days: what we know, Operation Furlong, and staying safe over the Melbourne Cup long weekend
Six people died on Victorian roads on 30–31 October 2026, three of them motorcyclists, as police run Operation Furlong over the Melbourne Cup long weekend. Here's what we know, what police are targeting, and how to get home safely.
The new Spirit of Tasmania ferries are finally sailing from Geelong: what's different, what went wrong, and what it means if you're crossing Bass Strait
Spirit of Tasmania IV and V made their first passenger crossings between Geelong and Devonport on 31 Oct 2026, five years late and about $717m over budget. Here's what's new for travellers and why the project became a saga.
Victorian election 2026: candidate nominations open Wednesday, the key dates to 28 November, and the rule changes voters should know
Nominations for Victoria's 28 November election open Wed 4 Nov and close at noon Mon 9 Nov. Here are the key dates, the shorter early voting window, postal vote deadlines and the new upper house rules.
Defence's $3 billion property sell-off: why Victoria Barracks Sydney is fighting back, and the 16 Victorian sites also on the list
The federal government plans to sell 67 Defence properties, including Victoria Barracks in Sydney and Melbourne, Point Cook and Fort Queenscliff. Here's what's being sold, why, and what happens next.
Will the US strike Iran again after the midterms? What we know, and what it could mean for petrol prices in Australia
Reports say the US and Israel are ready to resume strikes on Iran once Tuesday's midterms are over, while talks continue in Qatar. Here's what's confirmed and why Melbourne drivers should watch it.
CHOGM 2026 explained: why Albanese is in Antigua during rate-rise week, and what's on the Commonwealth agenda
Commonwealth leaders meet in St John's, Antigua and Barbuda from 1 to 4 November. Here's why the PM is going, what's on the table, and what it means for Australia.
US midterms 2026 explained: what's at stake, the races to watch, and when results land in Australia
Americans vote on Tuesday 3 November. Here's what's at stake in the House and Senate, the key races, and when results start rolling in on Wednesday 4 November in Melbourne time.
The $6.3 billion Binance hack explained: the FBI blames North Korea, and what Australian crypto users should check
The FBI says North Korea's TraderTraitor group stole over US$6bn from Binance, the biggest crypto theft on record. What happened, what's confirmed, and what to check if you hold crypto.
Victorian election 2026 pledges: Labor's 20 free dental clinics and the Coalition's tougher workplace protection orders, explained
With four weeks to the 28 November Victorian election, Labor doubles its free dental clinic pledge to 20 sites and the Coalition promises interim workplace protection orders. Where, what, when.
Rate rises aren't reaching many savers: how bonus-interest conditions work, and how to check you're not missing out
Banks pass rate rises to bonus savings rates, but base rates barely move and billions sit in zero-interest accounts. What to check before Cup Day's RBA call.
NSW Police's Armed Response Command starts today: rifle-carrying patrols in Sydney explained, and how Victoria compares
From 1 November 2026, NSW Police's Armed Response Command patrols Sydney with rifles. What the $94m unit is, why it was set up after Bondi, the criticism, and Victoria's approach.
Victorian election 2026 polls: Coalition ahead, is One Nation slipping, and the four-leader forum on 17 November
Four weeks out from Victoria's 28 November election: what Newspoll and Roy Morgan show, whether One Nation's vote is slipping, the Greens' internal poll, and the four-leader People's Forum.
Medicare Healthy Kids Check for three-year-olds starts today: what's checked, what it costs, and how it fits with Victoria's 3.5-year MCH visit
From 1 November 2026, three-year-olds can get a once-in-a-lifetime Medicare Healthy Kids Check with a GP. What's assessed, bulk billing, Thriving Kids and Victoria's free MCH visit.
Australia's 2026–27 cyclone season starts today: why El Niño points to a quieter year, and why the north still needs to prepare
Cyclone season runs 1 Nov to 30 Apr. European modelling points to 5 to 8 named storms in the Australian region against a norm of about 10. Here's what that means.
AI and copyright in Australia: the opt-out plan, the 'just terms' constitutional risk, and what it means for creators
Could letting AI firms train on Australian content breach the constitution? What the government has ruled out, the leaked opt-out options, the 'just terms' argument and what happens next.
Paraquat in Australia: why the weedkiller is still allowed, the Parkinson's debate, and the Senate inquiry explained
Paraquat stays legal in Australia under tough new limits while a Senate inquiry probes the regulator. What changed, what the Parkinson's evidence says, and how to make a submission by 18 Nov.
RBA interest rate decision on Melbourne Cup Day: will rates rise to 4.85% and what it means for your mortgage
The RBA announces its November decision at 2:30pm AEDT on Tue 3 Nov. Why markets expect a rise from 4.60% to 4.85%, and what 0.25 points adds to repayments.
Buruli ulcer in Victoria: why cases keep rising and how to protect yourself this summer
Victoria logged a record 426 Buruli ulcer cases in 2025 and it's now in inner Melbourne. Where it's found, early signs, and the mosquito steps that cut risk.
Melbourne Cup 2026: barrier draw, full field, start time and what Cup Day means for Melbourne
Point Of Law drew barrier 9 and Defiantly was scratched. The full 24-horse field, 3pm AEDT start, local times by state and the Cup Day holiday.
Thunderstorm asthma: what Saturday's high-risk forecast means for the rest of Victoria's pollen season
Gippsland and Northern Country were on high thunderstorm asthma risk on 31 Oct. How Victoria's forecast works, who's at risk and what to do.
Victorian election 2026: enrolment closes at 8pm on Melbourne Cup Day
Victoria's roll closes 8pm Tue 3 Nov (Melbourne Cup Day), a week earlier than before. Key dates for the 28 Nov state election and how to enrol.