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Confidence is Key by Will Gibb shows at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Werewolves, hypotheticals and a ’90s boy band: The first comedy festival reviews are in

From shower thoughts to a shanty about gaslighting, this year’s comedy festival is in full swing. Keep an eye on our ever-growing list of reviews here.

  • Nell Geraets, Rose Lu and Vyshnavee Wijekumar

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Frankston mayor Sue Baker stands on top of an apartment building overlooking Port Phillip Bay.

The property tax proposal dividing Frankston residents

As council looks to trebling property rates for commercial landlords, property taxes for new developments could be slashed.

  • Adam Carey
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
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
CCTV footage captures an alleged thief who siphoned diesel from a truck yard in western Victoria.

Stations run dry and reports of fuel thefts rise amid surge in demand

Petrol stations are temporarily running out of fuel and petrol retailers are reporting an increase in thefts as demand and fuel prices soar in tandem.

  • Adam Carey
Christine Barro is closing down her Collins Street boutique, Christine, after 27 years in business.

‘End of an era’: The renowned Melbourne boutique set to close after 27 years

Following Miss Louise and Le Louvre, this stalwart of high-end fashion will soon close its doors for the last time.

  • Cara Waters
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Brighton Bathing Boxes.

‘We all whinge about the buses’: Tourist woes continue at Brighton bathing boxes

With more than a million visitors every year, parking around Brighton’s colourful boxes has become a major tension point among locals, visitors and tour companies.

  • Gemma Grant
The new roof at the entrance to Town Hall station at City Square is at the centre of the compensation dispute.

Hotel owner demands millions in extra compensation from Metro Tunnel

The Westin Hotel’s owner wants 10 times the compensation it was offered for the loss of easements in City Square.

  • Lachlan Abbott
Paul Hughan was assaulted on a train in December.

Paul was punched on a train. Getting help was harder than expected

A man who was assaulted on a Metro train says he was shocked to discover that both the emergency intercom and CCTV in his carriage were not working.

  • Patrick Hatch
Kylie Minogue with Visy boss Anthony Pratt. Kylie Minogue was the guest performer at the annual Visy night at the Pratt family home in Kew.

Kylie sends guests spinning around at Pratt’s lavish backyard bash

Pop megastar Kylie Minogue gave 250 of Australia’s most select guests a night to remember as the headline act of cardboard king Anthony Pratt’s annual party.

  • Grant McArthur