Benita Kolovos
@benitakolovos.bsky.social
Victorian state correspondent at Guardian Australia
In this video, I read out the name of Wafa Aludaini, a Palestinian journalist who wrote for several publications including The Guardian. She also mentored young journalists. On 29 September 2024, she was killed alongside her husband and two of her children in an Israeli airstrike.
August 14, 2025 at 2:14 AM
In this video, I read out the name of Wafa Aludaini, a Palestinian journalist who wrote for several publications including The Guardian. She also mentored young journalists. On 29 September 2024, she was killed alongside her husband and two of her children in an Israeli airstrike.
I get the Libs are trying to make a pun about their proposed move on laws but this just feels out of touch. People aren’t just going to “move on” from what’s happening in Gaza - if anything, the public outcry has only grown louder. It’s why today’s rallies are expected to be the biggest yet.
August 3, 2025 at 2:42 AM
I get the Libs are trying to make a pun about their proposed move on laws but this just feels out of touch. People aren’t just going to “move on” from what’s happening in Gaza - if anything, the public outcry has only grown louder. It’s why today’s rallies are expected to be the biggest yet.
Victorian Labor members will use this weekend’s state conference to demand the federal government “immediately” recognise a Palestinian state and impose sanctions on Israel – in what will be their strongest push to date on the issue www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... via @australia.theguardian.com
Victorian Labor party members to push for ‘immediate’ federal recognition of a Palestinian state
Exclusive: Labor Friends of Palestine to move three ‘urgency resolutions’ at weekend conference, but PM maintains no immediate plans for the move
www.theguardian.com
July 27, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Victorian Labor members will use this weekend’s state conference to demand the federal government “immediately” recognise a Palestinian state and impose sanctions on Israel – in what will be their strongest push to date on the issue www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... via @australia.theguardian.com
‘Disgusting’ slogan apparently directed at Victorian premier seen at rally attended by Brad Battin and union boss www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... via @australia.theguardian.com
‘Disgusting’ slogan apparently directed at Victorian premier seen at rally attended by Brad Battin and union boss
‘Ditch the bitch’ was emblazoned on a fire truck at a rally against the state’s new emergency services levy
www.theguardian.com
July 14, 2025 at 11:06 PM
‘Disgusting’ slogan apparently directed at Victorian premier seen at rally attended by Brad Battin and union boss www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... via @australia.theguardian.com
Not very often we make the front page of the UK paper:
July 8, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Not very often we make the front page of the UK paper:
Well jury watch escalated quickly. Here’s my yarn: www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... with @ninobucci.bsky.social
July 7, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Well jury watch escalated quickly. Here’s my yarn: www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... with @ninobucci.bsky.social
I'm in Morwell on jury watch, and I'm not sure why it even needs reminding, but the right to protest is fundamental to our democracy. Protest literally achieved so many things we take for granted today. Any attempt to restrict the right to protest needs to be carefully scrutinised #springst
July 7, 2025 at 1:29 AM
I'm in Morwell on jury watch, and I'm not sure why it even needs reminding, but the right to protest is fundamental to our democracy. Protest literally achieved so many things we take for granted today. Any attempt to restrict the right to protest needs to be carefully scrutinised #springst
This was a fun day at work. More here: www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... via @australia.theguardian.com
ICYMI on the weekend — Vic correspondent @benitakolovos.bsky.social got a first look inside Melbourne's newest metro stations: www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjaa...
Eight storeys beneath Melbourne: first look inside the city's new metro stations
YouTube video by Guardian Australia
www.youtube.com
July 7, 2025 at 1:17 AM
This was a fun day at work. More here: www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... via @australia.theguardian.com
Don’t believe the hype: Victorian government deserves credit for not buckling to aggressive pro-gas campaign www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... via @adammorton.bsky.social
Don’t believe the hype: Victorian government deserves credit for not buckling to aggressive pro-gas campaign
Australia’s most gas-reliant state takes a significant step to move households and businesses away from fossil fuels and cut energy bills
www.theguardian.com
June 24, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Don’t believe the hype: Victorian government deserves credit for not buckling to aggressive pro-gas campaign www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... via @adammorton.bsky.social
Got to speak to the incredible Victorian MP Emma Vulin about her battle with MND and her push to bring the state's voluntary assisted dying laws in line with other states: www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... via @australia.theguardian.com #springst #fightmnd #vad
‘I’m not done fighting’: diagnosed with MND, Victorian MP Emma Vulin still has a lot to achieve
After seeing the parliament made more accessible, the 45-year-old wants to help usher in changes to the state’s voluntary assisted dying laws
www.theguardian.com
June 9, 2025 at 3:06 AM
Got to speak to the incredible Victorian MP Emma Vulin about her battle with MND and her push to bring the state's voluntary assisted dying laws in line with other states: www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... via @australia.theguardian.com #springst #fightmnd #vad
Why do I feel like this warning from the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee chair, Laverton MP Sarah Connolly, is pointed: "Witnesses should be aware that all microphones are live during the hearings and anything said may be picked up and captioned, even if said quietly". #springst #paec
June 2, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Victorian public servants hit back at Labor’s planned job cuts with push to curb ‘executive bloat’ instead www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... via @australia.theguardian.com #springst
Victorian public servants hit back at Labor’s planned job cuts with push to curb ‘executive bloat’ instead
Report argues large-scale public sector job losses can be avoided in part by ‘culling’ 450 executive-level roles
www.theguardian.com
June 2, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Victorian public servants hit back at Labor’s planned job cuts with push to curb ‘executive bloat’ instead www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... via @australia.theguardian.com #springst
Gina Rinehart helped Liberals raise nearly $400,000 at exclusive dinner that led to wrongful dismissal claim www.theguardian.com/business/202... with @henrybelot.bsky.social via @australia.theguardian.com #springst #auspol
Gina Rinehart helped Liberals raise nearly $400,000 at exclusive dinner that led to wrongful dismissal claim
Victorian Liberal party embroiled in dispute as Fair Work Commission accepts submission from sacked event organiser
www.theguardian.com
June 2, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Gina Rinehart helped Liberals raise nearly $400,000 at exclusive dinner that led to wrongful dismissal claim www.theguardian.com/business/202... with @henrybelot.bsky.social via @australia.theguardian.com #springst #auspol
Bankruptcy proceedings have been launched against former Victorian opposition leader John Pesutto after he failed to meet a deadline to pay $2.3m in legal costs to Liberal MP Moira Deeming. More via the @australia.theguardian.com live blog: www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... #springst #breaking
Australia news live: PM again pushes back at US demand for more defence spending; Minns says tobacco tax hike boosted organised crime
Follow live
www.theguardian.com
June 2, 2025 at 5:13 AM
Bankruptcy proceedings have been launched against former Victorian opposition leader John Pesutto after he failed to meet a deadline to pay $2.3m in legal costs to Liberal MP Moira Deeming. More via the @australia.theguardian.com live blog: www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... #springst #breaking
Exclusive: in her only post-budget sit down, the Victorian treasurer, Jaclyn Symes, says she is confident cost pressures will have eased by the 2026 election, and that voters won’t be spooked by the state’s debt www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... via @australia.theguardian.com
Is the cost-of-living crisis over? Victoria’s new treasurer is optimistic, but housing remains a battleground
Exclusive: Jaclyn Symes is confident cost pressures will have eased by the 2026 election, and that voters won’t be spooked by the state’s debt
www.theguardian.com
June 1, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Exclusive: in her only post-budget sit down, the Victorian treasurer, Jaclyn Symes, says she is confident cost pressures will have eased by the 2026 election, and that voters won’t be spooked by the state’s debt www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... via @australia.theguardian.com
Heaps of Victorian stories up on the @australia.theguardian.com home page this morning, including this piece from @henrybelot.bsky.social and I on the Liberal party’s ageing membership in freefall: www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... #auspol #springst
Secret figures show Liberal party’s ageing membership in freefall in NSW and Victoria
Exclusive: Sources reveal closely guarded membership numbers as average age hits 68 in Victoria
www.theguardian.com
May 30, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Heaps of Victorian stories up on the @australia.theguardian.com home page this morning, including this piece from @henrybelot.bsky.social and I on the Liberal party’s ageing membership in freefall: www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... #auspol #springst
Exclusive: Victorian Liberals prepare last-minute bid to bail out John Pesutto with loan to help pay $2.3m defamation costs www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... via @australia.theguardian.com
Victorian Liberals prepare last-minute bid to bail out John Pesutto with loan to help pay $2.3m defamation costs
Exclusive: Liberal sources say proposal to help former opposition leader avoid bankruptcy is being finalised
www.theguardian.com
May 28, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Exclusive: Victorian Liberals prepare last-minute bid to bail out John Pesutto with loan to help pay $2.3m defamation costs www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... via @australia.theguardian.com
Do you live in Australia? Are you a man aged 18-30? Want to contribute to research on how masculinity and appearance ideals are represented on social media? My brother’s doing his psych thesis on this topic if you'd like to help him by doing a anon survey: monash.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
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May 22, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Do you live in Australia? Are you a man aged 18-30? Want to contribute to research on how masculinity and appearance ideals are represented on social media? My brother’s doing his psych thesis on this topic if you'd like to help him by doing a anon survey: monash.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
Hello! I must admit I'm not very consistent at posting here but there's two events coming up too good not to share. The first is parli's "great debate" between pollies and journos - with this year's cause the Lions Clubs program for drought-stricken farmers. Tickets here: www.trybooking.com/DBLFT
2025 Pollies v Media - The Great Debate
The State Parliament Victoria Lions Club is a bipartisan community group made up of members of the Victorian Parliament. The Great Debate will be...
www.trybooking.com
May 18, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Hello! I must admit I'm not very consistent at posting here but there's two events coming up too good not to share. The first is parli's "great debate" between pollies and journos - with this year's cause the Lions Clubs program for drought-stricken farmers. Tickets here: www.trybooking.com/DBLFT
Former Victorian opposition leader, John Pesutto, has been ordered to pay $2.3m in costs after losing a defamation case brought by Liberal MP Moira Deeming www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... via @australia.theguardian.com
Former Victorian Liberal leader John Pesutto ordered to pay $2.3m in costs over Moira Deeming defamation
Sum is on top of $300,000 in damages former Victorian Liberal leader paid after being found to have repeatedly defamed MP
www.theguardian.com
May 16, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Former Victorian opposition leader, John Pesutto, has been ordered to pay $2.3m in costs after losing a defamation case brought by Liberal MP Moira Deeming www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... via @australia.theguardian.com
Victoria human rights body to slash budget and cut jobs as new laws increase workload www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... via @australia.theguardian.com
Victoria human rights body to slash budget and cut jobs as new laws increase workload
Exclusive: Budget cuts come at ‘absolute worst time’ as commission prepares for surge in complaints thanks to new anti-vilification legislation and revised bail laws
www.theguardian.com
April 16, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Victoria human rights body to slash budget and cut jobs as new laws increase workload www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... via @australia.theguardian.com
Comments now open on this piece if you're keen to weigh in #springst
Victoria’s Liberal leader is counting the days to the election. But will ‘brand Brad’ pass the pub test? www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... my profile of Brad Battin for @australia.theguardian.com
Victoria’s Liberal leader is counting the days to the election. But will ‘brand Brad’ pass the pub test?
Brad Battin’s ascension to the leadership was described as a ‘hostile rightwing takeover’ but the former police officer says his only ideology is ‘common sense’
www.theguardian.com
April 15, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Comments now open on this piece if you're keen to weigh in #springst
Victoria’s Liberal leader is counting the days to the election. But will ‘brand Brad’ pass the pub test? www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... my profile of Brad Battin for @australia.theguardian.com
Victoria’s Liberal leader is counting the days to the election. But will ‘brand Brad’ pass the pub test?
Brad Battin’s ascension to the leadership was described as a ‘hostile rightwing takeover’ but the former police officer says his only ideology is ‘common sense’
www.theguardian.com
April 14, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Victoria’s Liberal leader is counting the days to the election. But will ‘brand Brad’ pass the pub test? www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... my profile of Brad Battin for @australia.theguardian.com
Reposted by Benita Kolovos
Israel-Gaza war looms large over Labor’s hold on Melbourne seats of Macnamara and Wills
Israel-Gaza war looms large over Labor’s hold on Melbourne seats of Macnamara and Wills
Jewish and Muslim communities are unhappy with Labor’s position, for opposite reasons. But no one can be sure whether that will drive votes to the Liberals or Greens – or both
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In two Melbourne electorates, just 15km apart, Labor finds itself under attack from both sides of a conflict nearly 14,000km away.
In the bayside seat of Macnamara, home to Victoria’s largest Jewish community, the party has been criticised for its response to antisemitism and a perceived failure to stand firmly with Israel amid the war in Gaza, sparked by the Hamas attacks on 7 October 2023.
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www.theguardian.com
April 13, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Israel-Gaza war looms large over Labor’s hold on Melbourne seats of Macnamara and Wills