AI-generated political ads surge on social media ahead of Victoria election

A man wearing a balaclava and brandishing a machete entered a petrol station on the outskirts of the capital on Tuesday, threatening an attendant before setting fire to the forecourt and fleeing the scene. Emergency services arrived within minutes, extinguishing the blaze but reporting significant damage to the station’s fuel pumps and canopy. The incident follows a string of violent robberies reported in the region over the past month, prompting local authorities to increase patrols and advise motorists to remain vigilant at unattended service points.

The attack coincides with growing public concern over deteriorating infrastructure and mounting fiscal pressures, as officials describe a “tsunami of debt” threatening municipal budgets. Recent surveys indicate that potholes and damaged roadways have delayed ambulances and fire trucks, a problem highlighted by a woman who gave birth on a roadside after an ambulance was forced to turn back. Meanwhile, political campaigns have intensified, with opposition-aligned groups outspending major parties by echoing their talking points on debt and public safety, a trend analysts say could reshape voter priorities ahead of the upcoming elections.