The village that became vibrant, making Melbourne marvellous

By Jason Dowling

CHADSTONE shopping centre? Espresso machines? Football; horse races; or the Hoddle Grid - what has made Melbourne the city it is today? Melbourne will soon celebrate the 175th anniversary of the Enterprize sailing up the Yarra River to create a settlement on a spot described months earlier by John Batman as ''the place for a village''. In the ensuing years, physical, political and cultural events have forged the present-day city of 4 million that stretches 100 kilometres east to west.

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/the-village-that-became-vibrant-making-melbourne-marvellous-20100820-1390z.html

Down to the undecideds as regional swings hold the key

Michelle Grattan

August 21, 2010

JULIA Gillard's two months-old prime ministership hangs in the balance with the government narrowly leading on the national two-party vote, but its fate resting on regional swings, according to a final poll for The Age.

Labor leads 52 per cent in the Age/Nielsen poll, down a point in a week, to the Coalition's 48 per cent, in two party terms - a swing of about 1 per cent against the ALP since 2007.

But nearly one in five people said they were somewhat likely or very likely to change their mind before voting today.

http://www.theage.com.au/federal-election/down-to-the-undecideds-as-regional-swings-hold-the-key-20100820-1390e.htm
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Coalition to revive card

Tim Colebatch

A COALITION government would revive the controversial Howard-era plan for a national access card to identify every individual receiving government benefits, shadow treasurer Joe Hockey has revealed.

On the eve of what Prime Minister Julia Gillard says will be a ''cliffhanger'' federal election, Mr Hockey has told The Age that giving everyone a single identifier for access to health and welfare benefits could lead to ''massive improvements in productivity in health and welfare''.

http://www.theage.com.au/federal-election/coalition-to-revive-card-20100819-12s1l.html

Terror raids across Melbourne

By Paul Millar

Federal and Victorian police have raided homes across Melbourne this morning as part of an anti-terrorism crackdown.

"I can confirm that Australian Federal Police and Victoria Police executed a number of search warrants in Melbourne this morning as part of an anti-terrorism investigation," a police spokeswoman said
.http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/terror-raids-across-melbourne-20100819-12j2u.htm
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Corby release 'in four years'

from The Melbourne Age

CONVICTED Australian drug smuggler Schapelle Corby could be out of prison in just over four years as she enters an accelerated remission program.

The shortened prison term is possible even if Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono rejects her clemency request, launched in April.

Corby, 33, yesterday received the biggest single cut in her 20-year term, with five months sliced off as part of the usual round of remissions marking Indonesia's independence day. Smaller remissions are also granted at Christmas or Idul Fitri (after Ramadan).

http://www.theage.com.au/national/corby-release-in-four-years-20100817-128iv.html?autostart=1