Cesar Melhem News Today

MPs in one state have spent more than $150,000 in taxpayers money on overseas trips, including to learn about TikTok in the US and electorate business in the UK.

Victorian Liberal MPs have been responsible for the vast majority of taxpayer funded trips since losing the election in November.

Monique Ryan’s chief of staff has been left “paranoid and betrayed” after a leak from her private social media group.

Senior party figures say it must lead the way in ensuring Victoria’s parliament looks “more like our neighbourhoods rather than Ramsay Street”.

Only one new MP with non-European ancestry has been elected, enlarging the gulf between the proportion of Victorians from non-European backgrounds and the number of politicians who look like them.

Premier Daniel Andrews has sought to clear the political decks ahead of the November state election, asking Labor’s national inner sanctum to extend its control over his troubled Victorian branch.

Among the mourners at St Patricks Cathedral will be Labor mean girls Penny Wong, Kristina Keneally and Katy Gallagher, along with Labor leader Anthony Albanese and former leader Bill Shorten.

The cracks are showing in the major political parties as both choose candidates for next year’s state election.

The cracks are showing in the major political parties as both choose candidates for next year’s state election.

The cracks are showing in the major political parties as both choose candidates for next year’s state election.