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Rachael Dexter

Rachael Dexter

Rachael Dexter is a journalist in the City team at The Age. Contact her at rachael.dexter@theage.com.au, rachaeldexter@protonmail.com, or via Signal at @rachaeldexter.58

Hobsons Bay council chambers.

‘Not how a healthy democracy is meant to function’: council ‘gag order’ passes

Hobsons Bay councillors will no longer be allowed to speak to the media without it being signed off by their mayor under rules that passed on Tuesday night.

  • Rachael Dexter

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Darebin City Council has flown the Palestinian flag on the Preston Town Hall since December 2023.

Palestinian flag to be lowered from city hall after fiery debate

Shouting erupted during a vote to remove a Palestinian flag from a northern suburbs council chamber where it has flown for more than two years.

  • Rachael Dexter and Rachael Ward
Melbourne councils are using private contractors to bully residents out of legitimate compensation for property damage and injuries from council negligence, with some firms boasting of paying out as little as 8 per cent of claims.

The secret intimidation tactics councils use to deny compensation claims

So-called independent assessors are in fact incentivised to deny residents’ claims and save councils money.

  • Rachael Dexter
Yarra City Council decided to commence roadworks to narrow the protected bike lanes on Elizabeth Street in Richmond.

Bobcat and protesters take to Richmond bike corridor being narrowed for car spaces

Cyclists protested on Monday morning as Yarra City Council began works to shrink Richmond bike lanes for car parking, despite safety warnings from advocates.

  • Rachael Dexter
Illicit Double Happiness cigarettes, which are sold for as low as $13 in stores.

Victoria to shut down dodgy tobacco shops under new laws

Under the proposed changes to be introduced this year, building owners who knowingly lease stores to illicit operators will face massive financial penalties.

  • Rachael Dexter
Assemble’s new development on Victoria Street in Brunswick.

Developer quietly guts ‘affordable’ housing promise in northern suburbs

An “ethical” property developer favoured by the state government is seeking to slash affordable housing quotas after winning controversial height concessions.

  • Rachael Dexter
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City of Port Phillip Mayor Alex Makin and City of Yarra Mayor Stephen Jolly pose outside Melbourne Town Hall.

Inner-city mega-council floated as mayors face financial cliff

In a move that breaks a 30-year political taboo, lifelong socialist Stephen Jolly has called for an “adult conversation” about amalgamating inner-city councils to prevent the shuttering of services and sackings of staff.

  • Rachael Dexter
Mark Richards has been part of four different owners corporations over the past 20 years and says he has never come across a strata manager who was forthcoming about the kickback they make from suggesting specific insurance providers in his buildings.

‘Ethically indefensible’: The kickbacks costing Victorian apartment owners thousands

One in four Victorians lives in a strata property, but few realise their managers are pocketing secret insurance kickbacks that can drive up annual premiums.

  • Rachael Dexter
Mornington Peninsula Shire Mayor Anthony Marsh (left) with former member for Nepean Sam Groth in 2024.

‘I won’t disappear to run for parliament’: Formerly independent mayor likely Liberal candidate for Groth’s seat

Last month he was an independent mayor who would never leave council for parliament. This week he is the favourite for Liberals in Nepean.

  • Rachael Dexter
Pauline Hanson has become the vehicle for their frustration because a vote for One Nation says something that a vote for the sitting member doesn’t.

As it happened: Popular support for One Nation surges, draws level with Coalition; Police return to property where Gus Lamont went missing

Follow along as we bring you the latest live news updates from Australia and beyond.

  • Rachael Dexter and Emily Kaine