Twelve articles from twelve talented young writers. That's a wrap for Parliament Express in 2025. Read all the articles at vicparl.news/express. It's the fourth year we've run the program of learning and mentoring in partnership with Express Media.

Diversifying representation, modernising parliamentary practices and fostering bipartisanship are key themes in an article written as part of our Parliament Express program for young writers.

Exploring the collaborative nature of Parliament unveils a new dimension of politics, one that breaks down divisions and reveals a more hopeful and cooperative side of democracy that often goes unnoticed by the public.

The recent announcement that the United Kingdom intends to lower the voting age to 16 has renewed debate over whether Australia should do the same or keep the ballot box off-limits until 18.

Watch the latest Week in Review at youtu.be/swtWYaa-AsA providing highlights from our final sitting days in 2025, presented by Legislative Council President Shaun Leane MP.

Watch a replay of the Apology to First Peoples made at the Victorian Parliament, in the Legislative Assembly chamber. Go to: youtu.be/W0i3ya52oQs

The cooperative work of parliamentarians across the political divide doesn’t always capture attention, but it does give a boost to community groups and Victoria’s international relations.

As students across Victoria strive towards building skills for their desired career path, a group of parliamentarians is taking an interest in how to support students to follow a pathway into industries needing skilled workers.

The Electoral Matters Committee has called for changes to election timelines and stronger management of poor behaviour at voting centres, in a report tabled today. After examining the conduct of the 2025 Prahran and Werribee by-elections, the Committee has made 27 findings and 12 recommendations.

Call for pre-election reform to Upper House voting in report from Parliament’s Electoral Matters Committee.

The Victorian Government cannot publicly justify its plan to demolish and replace Melbourne’s 44 public housing towers due to its refusal to release the technical evidence underpinning the decision, a report tabled in the Legislative Council has found.

Parliamentary interns from six universities have graduated at Parliament House. Each intern researched and prepared a report for a Member of Parliament, with MPs joining the interns at the graduation to congratulate them on their work.

Lack of youth participation in traditional political and parliamentary processes is a trend members of parliament are keen to address, including through a parliamentary inquiry on community consultation practices.

Catch up on what’s been happening at the Victorian Parliament, as Legislative Council President Shaun Leane MP outlines some of the highlights from our latest sittings held from 12 to 14 and 18 to 20 November. Watch at youtu.be/tZjf8ap1XDA.

The Legislative Assembly Environment and Planning Committee has called for collaborative solutions to promote regional housing supply, in a report tabled today in Parliament. It contains 12 findings and makes 34 recommendations.

There has been genuine progress to address fraud & corruption in local government, but there remains wide variation in practice & capability, particularly in areas such as expense reporting, staff training & internal fraud detection, report tabled in Parliament has found. Go to: vicparl.news/3K3u1yV

Victorian Government responds to parliamentary inquiry report into workplace surveillance. It has given in principle support to most of the recommendations made by the Legislative Assembly Economy and Infrastructure Committee.

Report recommends Victorian Government should consider requiring motorists to stop and render assistance to wildlife they have struck when safe to do so. That could mean simply reporting the collision to a wildlife rescue organisation. Single, statewide phone number for reporting is recommended.

The Legislative Assembly has debated three bills concurrently aimed at strengthening protections for children in early education and care settings.

Evidence to a parliamentary inquiry is painting a picture of the extent to which high-control groups in Victoria use coercive and manipulative practices. Follow the link to read an article by Ciara Ryan, part of the Parliament Express series with young writers and Express Media.

On Remembrance Day, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, we pause to honour all who have served, and those who gave their lives, in war and peacekeeping operations. We will remember them. Lest we forget.

Aspiring leaders from five primary schools in Melbourne’s outer west have explored how to drive change and lead with purpose during a pilot program at Parliament House.

There are various ways in which members of parliament are supported in undertaking their representative roles, but for many one service in particular stands out.

A bill to reform rental and consumer laws aimed at easing cost-of-living pressures has passed the Legislative Assembly.

Two Victorian MPs have travelled to Fiji to share their insights on ways to strengthen the legislative process in Fiji through scrutiny of bills.

Vietnamese refugees have called Victoria home for half a century, all the while ensuring that their vibrant culture has continued to thrive. Parliament House became a sea of colour as Vietnamese Australians showcased their culture through fashion, food and community spirit.

While politicians have the final say in passing legislation, communities can play a crucial role in shaping the process through various forms of engagement.

Watch an update from our latest parliamentary sittings held from 28 to 30 October 2025, presented by Legislative Council President Shaun Leane MP at youtu.be/dsPHWqH-gnQ.

Victoria has become the first jurisdiction in Australia to enact treaty legislation with First Peoples after the Statewide Treaty Bill 2025 passed both houses of Parliament.

A look at the work and achievements of the Department of the Legislative Council in 2024-25, based on its annual report which is available to read at: vicparl.news/lc24-25

A bill amending the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022, with the aim of streamlining forensic leave processes, improving information sharing across health services & implementing key recommendations from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System has passed the Legislative Assembly.

The Victorian Government has introduced a bill to reform the state’s voluntary assisted dying laws, aiming to make the system more compassionate, accessible, and aligned with other Australian jurisdictions. The Parliamentary Library has produced a Bill Brief to provide an overview.

A report tabled in the Victorian Parliament today by the Public Accounts & Estimates Committee has made 42 recommendations aimed at improving the transparency, evaluation, and performance of government spending and reporting. Read the report at vicparl.news/47ovmIf.

News about Parliament direct from Parliament.

A variety of organisations representing a diverse range of community members have spoken directly and openly to members of parliament about consultation practices in Victoria.

Watch an update from our sittings held from 14 to 16 October 2025, presented by Legislative Council President Shaun Leane MP at youtu.be/PZOputM8Trg.

Unpaid carers are people we work, study and play sport with – they are our neighbours, friends and mentors and they make up one in eight Victorians. In recognition of National Carers Week, people from right across the state’s carers sector have come together at Parliament House.

The Co-Chairs of the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria, Ngarra Murray and Rueben Berg, have addressed the Legislative Assembly ahead of the debate on the Statewide Treaty Bill 2025. Their speeches are available to watch at youtu.be/lpizTmXn0HA.

The Legislative Council Legal & Social Issues Committee has found evidence of a toxic culture within Ambulance Victoria, with widespread problems including nepotism, bullying, harassment, gaslighting and intimidation, in a report tabled today. Read the report: vicparl.news/amboreport

Smoking Ceremony at Parliament House ahead of an historic address to the Legislative Assembly by the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria Co-Chairs Ngarra Murray and Rueben Berg.

Victoria is poised to become the first Australian jurisdiction to legislate a treaty with First Peoples, following the introduction of the Statewide Treaty Bill 2025 to Parliament.

As the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes more apparent in Australian workplaces, parliament is no exception with elected members navigating this technological shift.

Victorians with lived experiences of cults and organised fringe groups have bravely shared the impact it has had on them and others as part of a parliamentary inquiry.

The Legislative Assembly has debated reforms to strengthen oversight of Crown Casino and reduce gambling harm in Victoria.

Changes to state planning laws could address the oversaturation of fast food chains in Victoria’s newest suburbs.

With 128 Members of Parliament, there are 128 different stories about the pathways that MPs travelled to get them where they are today.

New laws on the rehoming of cats and dogs in Victoria have passed the Legislative Assembly.

Parliament House lit in blue for National Police Remembrance Day, honouring police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

The rhythm of a politician's job changes day to day and comes with a lot of variety, according to three Members of Parliament who share some insights into their busy schedules. Read the article by Charlie Banias, a young writer who participated in our Parliament Express program with Express Media.

Latest news direct from parliament.