NOT ONE OF US: Why the Liberal party room is going to slot the brilliant Abbott

Despite being the best Opposition Leader in a generation, we very much doubt Tony Abbott is going to last the distance and be given the chance by his party to become PM. Here’s why.

TICKET CLIPPER: Scott Ryan staffer Daniel Bevan shocked by Greg Hannan in Vic Lib Admin upset

Ambitious sunglasses wearer Daniel Bevan was elected a member of the Administrative Committee as a metropolitan male representative of the Victorian Liberals on the weekend. But he’s not happy.

The Senator Scott Ryan protégé and staffer was elected second behind …

DIRTY OLD MAN: Billionaire Lew steals nature reserve to build pool with nudist beach view

Solomon Lew’s reputation as one of Melbourne’s sleaziest businessmen has been confirmed by a disgraceful scandal involving his theft of public land for his private swimming pool that just happens to over-look a popular nudist beach.

ACTION WINS: Red Ted’s candidates hit the fence they’re sitting on

Ted Baillieu’s government is being criticised for struggling to make tough decisions on things like the future of Myki, the troubled transport ticketing system, and the future of Police Commissioner Simon Overland, to name just two. Even though his faction was buoyed by the unexpected state election triumph, it’s failed to translate into immediate results as today’s Liberal State Council results demonstrate, says embedded reporter Nick Mack. By contrast Tony Abbott received a hero’s welcome…

POLL-DANCING: VEXNEWS obtains leaked anti-cigarette militants’ survey that fails to ask the big questions

There’s a lot of smoke clouding the debate about federal measures attacking cigarette smoking. We don’t like cigarettes but it’s also clear that many anti-cigarette militants are blowing smoke. The pesky VEXNEWS Investigations Unit has obtained a copy of a dubious ‘survey’ they have given to the Sunday Age for this weekend which leaves the key questions about regulating cigarettes unanswered.

WYATT LOVE TRIANGLE: Coming-of-age MP faces pool-party love-tryst couch claims

Wyatt Roy turned 21 yesterday. But that hasn’t stopped the party-poopers of the VEXNEWS Investigations Unit from assembling a sordid tale of sultry student politicians, stained couches, nuzzling, cheating and other unpleasant irregularities that centre on the nation’s youngest MP and his mates.

CLAYTON’S: Quiet Vic ALP conference divides “Taliban” Right over gay marriage

The NUW and SDA wings of the Victorian “Taliban” Right had a huge spat over gay marriage at the ALP State Conference.

AGE STAFF REVOLTING: Outsource outrage at protest rally

After clearing military censors, VEXNEWS behind-enemy lines pics of The Age’s protest rally against the outsourcing of sub-editors can now be revealed for the first time.

THE SPY WHO SUBBED ME: Fairfax exclusives at risk of leaking under out-source scheme

The Age and Sydney Morning Herald won’t be able to keep their exclusive stories secret, warn competitors, because they’ll be letting outsiders editing their copy and prepare the pages. We bring exclusive pics of the sub-editors’ facility in The Age which will soon be left empty as a result of management folly.

SHORT MEMORIES: Pedophile Lionel Rose didn’t deserve taxpayer-funded, Baillieu-blessed state funeral

It is a rare moment for a Victoria Premier to lavish praise at a taxpayer-funded state funeral on a man regarded by Victoria Police as a dangerous, predatory child-sex offender. Yet that’s what Premier Ted Baillieu did today.