TESS Law has resigned from Kingston Council. Law’s resignation was confirmed by Kingston Council in a statement last week. Law has resigned from her position as ward councillor for Melaleuca effective immediately. Council’s statement did not outline the reason for Law’s resignation. The Times reached out to Tess Law for comment, but did not receive a response. Kingston mayor Georgina Oxley said “on behalf of council, I thank Cr Law for her service to the Kingston community and in particular her representation of the Melaleuca ward. We wish her all the best for her future endeavours.” Law was elected at…
Author: Brodie Cowburn
THE federal government has finally confirmed its long-awaited plans for gambling reform, nearly three years after a gambling inquiry chaired by former Dunkley MP Peta Murphy handed down its final report. The “You win some, you lose more” report was published in June of 2023. Among the 31 recommendations was a ban on online gambling advertising, stronger consumer protections for licensed online gambling, a crackdown on illegal gambling websites, and a legislated duty of care (“Murphy’s gambling law considered” The News, 22/1/2024) . Last week Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told the National Press Club that the federal government would legislate…
A RATE rise of 2.75 percent for Kingston residents has been proposed for the next financial year. Kingston Council’s draft budget for 2026/2027 was released for consultation last week. The budget proposes a 2.75 percent rate rise in line with the state government’s rate cap. The draft 2026/2027 budget projected a surplus of $6.4 million, and an infrastructure budget of more than $80 million has been set aside for capital works projects. The draft budget is impacted by the planned opening of the new Mordi Aquatic Centre in the middle of the financial year. Kingston mayor Georgina Oxley said that…
A PROPOSAL to allow Kingston Council’s CEO to strike down notices of motion before they are debated in the council chamber remains under consideration. At Kingston Council’s March meeting, councillors received an analysis of the Governance Rules relating to notices of motion. Council officers were asked to consider the merits of allowing the CEO to veto controversial proposals (“Council considers CEO veto powers” The News 25/2/2026). At council’s March meeting, councillors voted to commence another review of the Governance Rules and receive “a further report regarding the Governance Rules review and proposed amendments, with a view to formally amend the…
AN external provider has been appointed to take over the community and aged care services being phased out by Frankston Council. Late last year, Frankston Council announced it would cut its personal care services, domestic assistance including house cleaning and unescorted shopping, respite care, Home and Community Care Program for Younger People assessment services, meals on wheels and delivered meals for HACC-PYP clients only, home maintenance and modifications including gutter cleaning, flexible service response, and escorted shopping (“Council confirms care cuts” The Times, 4/11/2025). Last week it announced that AccessCare, which is managed by Kingston Council, would take over its…