Parker S. McKenzie

Bio

Journalist and reporter at The New Daily.

Formerly Star News Group, where I covered local news around the Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley.

While studying at Deakin University, I freelanced for Soccerscene, a Business-to-Business football publication.

I am an ethical reporter who is committed to accurate, public-interest journalism.

Experienced in several facets of journalism including audio/radio, broadcast, and feature writing.

For news-related inquiries, I can be contacted at pmckenzie@thenewdaily.com.au.

For everything else, I can be reached at parkersmckenzie@gmail.com.

Below is a small selection of my published work.

The New Daily • 7th July 2023

Scott Morrison rejects he misled government over Robodebt

Former prime minister Scott Morrison has “rejected completely” findings that he misled Cabinet on the legality of the Robodebt scheme, following the release of the Royal Commission’s final report on Friday.

The New Daily • 4th July 2023

Australians should "brace themselves" for coming bushfire seasons

This year’s fire season will come after three years of wet weather, changing climate patterns and inaction on carbon emissions have created the perfect conditions for disaster.

The New Daily • 29th June 2023

'Caution' urged over new inter-generational report

A new report on voter habits has detailed a generational shift of young people away from conservative parties, but one expert says it doesn’t tell the whole story.

The New Daily • 28th June 2023

Gambling advertising ban by 2026 recommended in report

Banning gambling advertising would be a watershed moment, but not a fix-all, experts have said, after a parliamentary committee released the findings of a landmark report into the practice in Australia.

The New Daily • 23rd June 2023

This is what your Australian and state politicians earn each year

Australia’s politicians are some of the highest paid in the world, and Victoria’s political leaders have just been handed another pay rise by an independent tribunal.

Ferntree Gully Star Mail • 11th October 2022

1000 objections received

Knox City Council expects to consider two planning permits for the contentious ‘Lake Knox’ development from Development Victoria by the end of the year, after receiving over 1,000 objections to the subdivision and construction of wetlands on the site.

Ferntree Gully Star Mail • 4th October 2022

Cancer challenge

Two Ferntree Gully based-riders have set out to cycle 976km in 40 days, representing the 976 operating beds at the Apeksha Cancer Hospital in Sri Lanka which they are fundraising for.

Dhanu Perera and Anurudda Yatawara are a part of a group of cyclists who have already raised nearly $40,000 through Ride for Apeksha, with their eyes set on a fundraising total of $100,000.

Ferntree Gully Star Mail • 26th September 2022

Upper House MP warns of risk of extremist groups in valedictory speech

Outgoing MP for Eastern Victoria Region Cathrine Burnett-Wake raised concern about the risk of extremist groups during her valedictorian speech on Wednesday 21 September, condemned their influence on politics and warning “ordinary Victorians need to awaken to the threat.”

Ferntree Gully Star Mail • 6th September 2022

Liberal and Labor Monbulk candidate profiles

Ferntree Gully Star Mail • 22nd July 2022

Monbulk MP James Merlino discusses decision to retire, public discourse and two decades in parliament

When Monbulk MP James Merlino announced his decision to step down from the cabinet and retire at the next state election, it came as a shock to many in the community.

Often touted as a potential successor to Premier Daniel Andrews, the former Deputy Premier and Minister for Education spoke to the Star Mail about his decision to retire, life after Parliament and what he has achieved in his two-decade-long career.