In what’s been a touch year for uni students, the Standard team’s Federal Budget coverage looks at education. Reporter: Jennifer Pittorino, Lachlan Marriott and Millie Spencer Camera: Jayne McLucas Graphics: Lachie Pham and Emily Li Editor: Aditi Kutty Producer: Aditi Kutty

Cinemas across the state are slowly coming back to life following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions. Lido Cinemas Hawthorn assistant manager Hudson Sowada said cinemas had returned to some semblance of normality, though not to pre-Covid strength. “The effects of the pandemic are still being felt,” he said. Cinemas shut last year on March 23, 2020, when Victoria went into its first lockdown and didn’t reopen until November 8. Mr Sowada said one of the early films they showed

The Standard team explains the Federal Budget to you. Part 1: Health. Reporter: Thomas Bravender-Coyle Camera: Andy Knight Graphics: Lachie Pham  Editor: Emily Li Producer:  Aditi Kutty

Activist Kim Matousek’s anger boils over at the indefinite detention of asylum seekers, now being held at the Park Hotel in Melbourne. She’s recently finished a 30-day hunger strike, which she says was just a fraction of the eight long years many of the Medevac Bill refugees—people transferred from offshore detention for medical reasons—have reportedly spent in indefinite detention. There are at least 35 detainees in the Melbourne hotel. An advocate for asylum seekers since

After seeking help from a medical professional for symptoms of depression, new mum Naomi Swan was left feeling more alone than ever. “I just feel like a huge chunk of my life is just gone, and I can’t really remember anything quite significant about it, and that’s a bit of a lonely and isolating feeling,” she said The first-time mum unexpectedly fell pregnant during the height of Melbourne’s stage four lockdowns and said restrictions caused excessive levels of stress for hers

The coronavirus pandemic in Australia has revealed problems “in an already compromised [healthcare] system”, a midwifery expert said. Curtin University midwife research fellow Dr Zoe Bradfield said, “what we have in the industrialised world is an industrialised approach to health care.” Dr Bradfield, who has researched the impact of Covid on maternity care and is vice-president of the Australian College of Midwives, said the pandemic had provided an opportunity for Australia’

Victoria’s Big Housing Build won’t solve the state’s social housing issues, a leading social housing expert said. The Victorian government’s proposed $5.3 billion project will see the construction of more than 12,000 new homes around metropolitan and regional Victoria, of which 9300 will be classified under social housing. Premier Dan Andrews said the initiative would “change lives, giving thousands of Victorians the security and stability of a home”. Haven, Home, Safe commu

An unexpected silver lining of Covid-19 has been an increase in the uptake of technology—and the ability to connect—for senior citizens. Amaroo Aged Care special projects coordinator Kim Arnold said FaceTime had become the new normal for aged care residents to communicate with their families. “We now using FaceTime and Zoom for things like physio appointments, listening to talking books, attending funerals residents couldn’t access otherwise,” she said. As soon as we successf

With the anticipated mass exodus of travel-hungry Aussies, there’s no better time to acknowledge that our cousins across the ditch can make some seriously good music. And this time, let’s not pretend they’re ours. Here’s a list of the best New Zealand artists of the last decade that you can listen to on your adventures. Then listen to the selected Spotify playlist (link at end). THE BETHS Marrying the vocal melodies of Middle Kids and Ruby Fields with the manic indie guitar

Nomadland is a slow burn, character-driven story that showcases the beginnings of one person’s solitary journey. It captures the essence of what it means to be connected to the earth and to embrace your roots. Nomadland’s vast landscapes cover thousands of miles, from desert to deep forest. Beneath the beautiful imagery, however, is a story about the need for connection in such isolation. Frances McDormand leads a cast of real-life nomads Swankie, Linda and Bob, in their fi

Many children with special needs are struggling to return to school, with parents turning to home education post-Covid-19 lockdowns. Associate Professor of Autism and Inclusive Education at the University of Wollongong, Amanda Webster said home education for children with special needs was becoming more popular. “There’s a growing issue in the country of students on the autism spectrum being in distance education,” Dr Webster said. Research by My Homeschool Australia showed,

A fast-growing Facebook page is providing a platform for men to speak their mind and provide support for one another’s mental health and wellbeing. The Blokes & Their Mental Health page was created in early January and has quickly grown to more than 24,000 members. Page admin Sam Rintoule said everyone struggled sometimes. “It’s really good to see that these blokes are taking it upon themselves to start a conversation,” he said. “The day-to-day reality is everyone struggles