October 1999

New Shadow Cabinet announced

A new Shadow Cabinet has been announced by the Leader of the Opposition, Dr Napthine, and the National Party Leader, Mr McNamara. (29 Oct)

Liberal-National Partnership established

Following talks between the Parliamentary Liberal and National Parties, the parties have announced the establishment of a Liberal-National Partnership to operate in Opposition.  Under the Partnership, the two parties will have a combined Shadow Ministry and will decide their position on legislation in joint party meetings. Further talks including the Liberal and National Party organisations will be held in future regarding the establishment of a formal Coalition. (27 Oct)

Single housing code proposed

The Minister for Planning, Mr John Thwaites has proposed a single housing code for both single dwellings and medium density development, while releasing a panel report of the Standing Advisory Committee on Local Variations to the Good Design Guide. (27 Oct)

Napthine elected as Leader of Opposition

Dr Denis Napthine has been elected unopposed as the new leader of the Parliamentary Liberal Party and Leader of the Opposition, following the resignation of Mr Jeff Kennett as Liberal Party leader.  Ms Louise Asher has been elected as Deputy Leader. (26 Oct)

Liberal-National Coalition agreement ends

The State Council of the National Party has declared that the Coalition agreement between the Liberal and National Parties is no longer in effect as a result of the defeat of the Coalition government.  The Parliamentary Liberal and National Parties intend to hold talks with a view to establishing a working relationship in Opposition. (22 Oct)

Labor minority government formed

The Governor, Sir James Gobbo, has sworn in Mr Steve Bracks as Premier of a minor Labor government.  Mr John Thwaites is Deputy Premier.  See Government Ministers for a full listing. (20 Oct)

(Note that the official publication of news releases on the Government web site ceased between 11 September and 20 October as a result of the State Election and the "caretaker mode" convention which applied until a new Government was formed.)

Kennett advises commissioning of Bracks

The Premier, Mr Kennett, has advised the Governor, Sir James Gobbo, to commission the leader of the ALP, Mr Bracks, to form a Government.  The Coalition has decided, having regard to the signed Memorandum of Understanding between the three Independent Members of Parliament and Mr Bracks,  not to exercise its constitutional right to continue in Government unless and until a motion of want of confidence in the Government was carried in the Legislative Assembly. (19 Oct)

Independents back Labor

The Members for Mildura, Gippsland West and Gippsland East have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the leader of the ALP, Mr Bracks, undertaking to support the ALP in Parliament on supply and on votes of confidence.  On this basis, they support for the formation of an ALP Government. (18 Oct)

Labor wins Frankston East supplementary election

The ALP's Matt Viney has won the supplementary election for the electorate of Frankston East, arising from the death before polling of one of the candidates at the general election, Mr Peter Macellan, who was also the previous Member for the electorate. The Australian Labor Party now hold 42 seats in the Legislative Assembly. (16 Oct)

Independents' Charter and Responses

The Coalition and the ALP have both responded to the "Independents' Charter" published by the Members for Mildura, Gippsland West and Gippsland East, on which they state they will base their decision as to which side to support in government.  See the Charter, the Coalition Response and the ALP response. (12 Oct)

For earlier news stories see our Archives.  For the latest New Releases from the Victorian Government's main media releases page, see All - By Date.

Page last changed Friday, 04-Jun-2004 05:11:46 EDT

(other news based on the Government's web site main media releases page, Opposition media releases and other sources)

The Premier has officially opened Toyota's new $15 million Parts Distribution Centre at Altona. (29 Oct)

The Premier has announced $277,000 of extra funding for New Millenium celebrations in regional Victoria. (27 Oct)

The Premier has announced the appointment of Parliamentary Secretaries to the new Government. (26 Oct)

The Transport Minister, Mr Peter Batchelor, has approved the toll free opening of CityLink's Exhibition Street extension between Flinders Street and Swan Street. (25 Oct)

The Minister for Agriculture, Mr Keith Hamilton, has confirmed that the new Government will conduct a poll of dairy farmers prior to any further deregulation of the dairy industry. (21 Oct)