Hi, I’m Kat Theophanous - the Labor Member of Parliament for Northcote in the Victorian Legislative Assembly.
The Allan Labor Government is delivering free, community-based mental health support to Melbourne’s inner north, making it easier for locals to get the help they need close to home.
Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt has officially opened the Mental Health and Wellbeing Local in Darebin, now operating from two Northcote sites at 413 High Street and Your Community Health at 42 Separation Street.
The Allan Labor Government has opened Victoria’s newest electric bus depot in Preston, accelerating Victoria’s transition from diesel buses to Zero-Emission Buses (ZEBs).
The Preston depot features a Victorian-first overhead gantry charging system that increases space and capacity for the new ZEB fleet to support Victoria’s journey to net zero emissions by 2045.
The Allan Labor Government is delivering real cost-of-living relief to families and making the first day of school extra special with Preps at every government school to receive a free bundle of books and resources.
The 2026 Prep Bags feature five free books selected by a panel of experts to spark a lifelong love of reading and lift every student’s literacy and learning outcomes.
The Allan Labor Government is getting on with delivering world-class healthcare for families in Melbourne’s north eastern suburbs, with major works to expand the emergency department at the Austin Hospital officially underway.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Health Infrastructure Melissa Horne today visited the hospital in Heidelberg to make the significant milestone – made possible by a $275 million investment in the Victorian Budget 2024/25.
The Allan Labor Government is making public transport free for every child, every day, everywhere – putting money back in the pockets of parents right across Victoria.
Acting Premier Ben Carroll and Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams today announced that all passengers under 18 are now able to catch a train, tram or bus for free with their Youth myki card anywhere in the state.
The Allan Labor Government is making it easier for Victorians in Melbourne’s inner north to get free, community-based mental health care with a new Mental Health and Wellbeing Local now supporting the community.
As part of the latest round of the Creative Enterprises Program, five inner north organisations have secured multi-year funding to continue their vital work supporting artists, audiences and inclusive creative experiences.
Successful local recipients include Circus Nexus, Gertrude Contemporary, Multicultural Arts Victoria, Speak Percussion, and Arts Project Australia - organisations that collectively support artists of all ages and abilities, amplify diverse voices, and place Northcote at the heart of Victoria’s creative life.
The Allan Labor Government is delivering more homes close to public transport, jobs, schools, shops and services – while also delivering more local infrastructure like roads, parks and bike paths.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny today announced changes to outdated car parking requirements which will make it cheaper and easier to build homes in well-connected areas – plus plans to extend the existing infrastructure contributions system to more Train and Tram Zones.
While we’re building more homes, Liberals continue to block them. They still oppose our Bill to overhaul Victoria’s planning system and deliver more homes for young people near transport, jobs and services.
No one should go hungry, which is why the Allan Labor Government is delivering more support for food relief across Victoria.
Minister for Carers and Volunteers Ros Spence today visited Alex Makes Meals in Preston to announce 133 organisations will share in $9 million through the Community Food Relief Program, doubling the program’s funding this year to deliver fresh and nutritious food right across Victoria.
Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt today announced services have now commenced at the Northcote Local. Mental Health and wellbeing supports are now available via phone or telehealth, with the services scaling up to offering in person support over the coming months.
Acting as a 'front door' to the mental health system, the Locals offer support and treatment for Victorians experiencing mental illness or psychological distress, including co-occurring substance use or addiction
The Allan Labor Government’s landmark rental protection laws have taken effect – making renting safer and fairer for the hundreds of thousands of Victorians.
The new laws which came into effect today increase renter protections and cement Victoria as the best state in the nation for renters’ rights.
The Allan Labor Government is helping families with cost of living, building the future of Victoria while putting jobs and workers first, to continue delivering nation-leading climate action.
Minister for Climate Action Lily D’Ambrosio today released Victoria’s Climate Change Strategy 2026-30, which sets the direction for the next five years of climate action in Victoria with a focus on helping families.
When the Allan Labor Government launched its landmark Inquiry into Women’s Pain, it was an acknowledgement of what Victorian women already know: their pain is real, and the system needs to do better.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas today released the final Bridging the Gender Pain Gap report – the result of an overwhelming number of submissions.
The Allan Labor Government is opening doors for Victorian homebuyers near train stations and tram corridors.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny visited Kew today to release draft maps showing proposed heights and boundaries for 25 of 50 new Train and Tram Zone Activity Centres.
The plans will help deliver more than 300,000 additional homes close to jobs, services and transport by 2051.
A major milestone in Victoria’s decade-long Treaty process has been achieved with the Victorian Government and First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria reaching in-principle agreement on Australia’s first Treaty.
The first negotiated Statewide Treaty Agreement brings together First Peoples, through the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, and the Victorian Government, to build a new relationship based on respect, trust and integrity. It acknowledges our past and is a chance for all Victorians to move forward together.
The Albanese Labor Government and Allan Labor Government are delivering a new free community-based service to support Victorians experiencing psychological distress.
Victorian Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt and Federal Assistant Minister for Social Services and the Prevention of Family Violence Ged Kearney today launched the Distress Brief Support program trial in Darebin
The Allan Labor Government’s virtual women’s health clinic is now open to all Victorian women and girls of any age – offering free, expert medical advice, treatment and care for a range of women’s health needs.
The Allan Labor Government is now one step closer to expanding access to free mental health and wellbeing support close to home without needing a GP referral or Medicare card.
Following the recent announcement of seven new Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals across Victoria, Mental Health Minister Ingrid Stitt today announced the lead service providers that will deliver these services:
