MELBOURNE
is Australia's second-largest city, with a population of around three million - about half a million less than Sydney. Rivalry between the two cities - in every sphere from cricket to business - is on an almost childish level. In purely monetary terms, Sydney is now clearly in the ascendancy, having stolen a march on Melbourne as the nation's financial centre. The state government, led by Steve Bracks of the Labor Party, has continued the work of former premier Jeff Kennett, who tried and mostly succeeded in lifting the economy out of the doldrums in the 1990s, mainly by severe cutbacks or privatization of public services and of previously state-run utilities boards. While Kennett's fiscal puritanism definitely scored points by reducing public debt and improving the credit rating of the state, critics were quick to counter that out-sourcing or privatizing public services did not necessarily translate into greater efficiency and even more importantly that Victoria's economic growth has been achieved at a very high social cost - wealth is now more unevenly distributed, with increasing numbers of homeless people and drug addicts on the streets. In 1999, Kennett surprisingly lost the "unloseable election" to rank outsider Bracks, largely because his government neglected rural Victoria - Kennett once memorably described Melbourne as the vital heart of the state and rural towns as the "toenails" - but also because Kennett's election campaign focused almost entirely on his autocratic style of leadership, which proved a big turn-off for voters. Since seizing the reins of power, Steve Bracks has enjoyed a remarkably high standing in the polls, and his style is more inclusive and less confrontational than his predecessor. He has also concentrated his party's efforts on improving the key areas of health and education, as well as providing greater funding for rural areas.
Arrival And Information :
Melbourne's
Tullamarine Airport
is 22km northwest of the city on the Tullamarine Freeway; the Skybus service (from the airport every 30min between 6.40am and 11.40pm, then hourly until 6.40am; $11; tel 03/9662 9275) will take you to the Melbourne Transit Centre (Greyhound Pioneer Bus Terminal), the Spencer Street Railway Station and Bus Terminal, Town Hall and Exhibition Street (the night services between 12.40am and 4.40am run to the Town Hall only). On weekdays (7.40am-4.10pm), Saturday (8.10am-12.40pm) and Sunday (1.40-5.30pm), the bus driver will drop you off at most city hotels on request. A
taxi
from the airport costs around $30 to the city centre, $40 to St Kilda. More Melbourne information...
SOUTHBANK / MELBOURNE Named by critics as one of "the leading hotels of the world," Melbourne's Langham Hotel on the banks of the Yarra River stands within easy reach of the city's business fashion and shopping districts
IN THE HEART OF MELBOURNE / MELBOURNE Distinctly Melbourne, Saville on Russell is located in the heart of Melbourne City and is close to numerous restaurants, bars and cafes.
FRINGE OF THE CBD / MELBOURNE Situated on the edge of the CBD, Saville Park Suites Melbourne is only minutes from some of the best shopping, restaurants and theatres this cosmopolitan city has to offer.
Call toll free..
US and Canada: 1-800-780-5733
Europe: 00-800-11-20-11-40
Use discount code: 89865
