{
  "id": 17464672,
  "title": "Dental and worker pledges as Victorian election campaign enters final month",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/dental-and-worker-pledges-as-victorian-election-campaign-enters-final",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-31T20:11:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-11-01/victorian-election-pledges-one-month-countdown/107332070"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Premier Ben Carroll and Opposition Leader Jess Wilson are set to campaign across Victoria ahead of the November 28 state election. Mr Carroll has pledged to expand free dental clinics from 10 to 20 statewide. Meanwhile, Ms Wilson aims to fast-track workplace protection orders to shield workers from violent offenders. The major parties have promised new dental centres and updated worker protection laws as Victoria prepares for its final month of campaigning. Premier Ben Carroll will announce the expansion of 20 free dental clinics, with a $230 million budget. These clinics will be located in Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, the Latrobe Valley, Mildura and Shepparton, as well as suburban areas like Banyule, Brimbank, Cardinia, Casey, Dandenong, Frankston, Hume, Maribyrnong, Monash, Whittlesea, Wyndham, Yarra and Yarra Ranges. If elected, a Coalition government led by Ms Wilson would expedite workplace protection orders, starting from February 1, to protect workers in various commercial and public venues. With 4.6 million Victorians eligible to vote, early voting, postal ballots and election day on November 28 are available options.",
  "summary": "Premier Ben Carroll and Opposition Leader Jess Wilson start their final month of campaigning with duelling pledges as Victoria counts down to polling day.",
  "key_points": [
    "Premier Ben Carroll pledges to expand free dental clinics to 20 statewide.",
    "Opposition Leader Jess Wilson aims to fast-track workplace protection orders.",
    "New dental clinics and updated worker protection laws promised for election."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}