Strong-arm tactics are expected to inflame tensions over Centrelink's so-called robo-debts. The agency has now threatened to charge compounding interest, garnish wages or seize funds from bank accounts to recover its money.
The story is generating a lot of conversation this morning, including this comment from reader Travis: "If Centrelink overpays someone, Centrelink should be penalised and disciplinary action taken against the staff involved and the debt written off as unrecoverable".
In case you missed it earlier, strong winds hit across the state last night, bringing damaging-strength gusts to alpine and coastal areas.
The strongest gust was 115km/h, recorded at Mt Hotham just after midnight. In Melbourne, we saw wind gusts up to 90km/h along the bay and rainfall up to 15mm in Sandringham.
The State Emergency Service attended 121 callouts for fallen trees and building damage.
Pellegrini's co-owner Sisto Malaspina was honoured with a street party yesterday to close the 2019 Melbourne Food and Wine Festival.
Reporter Joe Hinchliffe captured the mood of the event. As always, Sisto was larger than life.
The iconic cafe owner was killed in November's Bourke Street terror attack. Sisto's wife Vicky said she would like the street party to be an annual event: "Sisto loved a party".
Our friends at the weather bureau captured this stunning sunset last night:
When VCE results are released every year, the same handful of schools often dominate the top of the league tables. But what about all the other schools kicking goals?
In a state first, we have gathered results data going back 10 years for every secondary school and turned it into an easy-to-use dashboard. You can search your school to see how it has fared and what its graduates are doing. Join the conversation here:
Out at Chadstone, only one lane is open in each direction on Huntingdale Road after an overheight truck struck the rail bridge near Jordanville Station. Use Stephensons Road or Warrigal Road to avoid delays. Glen Waverley line trains also experiencing major delays while they wait for bridge engineer.
Elsewhere, Geelong-Bacchus Marsh Road is closed in both directions near Smiths Road due to a serious collision. Emergency services are diverting traffic at the scene. Consider Parwan-Exford Road and Nerowie Road as alternatives around the closure. Allow plenty of extra time.
In breaking news, US Attorney General William Barr's letter to Congress has been released.
It says Special Counsel Robert Mueller made no conclusion on possible obstruction of justice by President Donald Trump, but found no evidence of collusion with Russia.
State Emergency Service volunteers attended 121 callouts overnight as strong winds lashed the state.
A spokeswoman said most of the calls related to fallen trees and building damage. The majority of calls came from the Chelsea and Emerald areas.
The strongest gust of 115km/h was recorded just after midnight at Mt Hotham. In Melbourne, there were gusts up to 90km/h around the bay.
Delays of up to 30 minutes on the Glen Waverley line after the Huntingdale Road bridge was hit by a truck. The bridge needs to be checked for any damage. A Metro bridge engineer has been dispatched and expected on site soon.