Here's a summary of the news articles:
**1. Victoria Police Declare Large Areas of Melbourne as 'Designated Area'**
Victoria police have declared large areas of Melbourne CBD and surrounding suburbs as a "designated area" for six months, giving officers greater search powers without a warrant.
**2. Inner Melbourne Community Legal Accuses Police of "Vast Overreach"**
Inner Melbourne Community Legal has accused Victoria police of taking an unprecedented approach to declaring the entire city as a designated area, which will make it an offense to resist police searches and remove face masks that may conceal one's identity.
**3. Australian Bureau of Statistics Reveals Census Questions on Gender and Sexual Orientation**
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has confirmed the topics and content of next year's census, including questions on gender and sexual orientation.
**4. Question Time Continues with Crossbenchers Targeting Bowen over Power Prices**
Crossbenchers are continuing to target Chris Bowen over power prices, asking when businesses will see their bills drop and whether Labor will review the safeguard mechanism.
**5. Nationals Join Coalition Attacks over Power Prices**
Nationals MP Andrew Wilcox is joining the Coalition's attacks on power prices, asking when businesses in his electorate will see their bills drop.
**6. Crossbench Targets Bowen over Safeguard Mechanism**
The independent Nicolette Boele is pressing the energy minister Chris Bowen over the government's safeguard mechanism, asking when Labor will review the mechanism and whether Bowen will adopt a recommendation by the productivity commission to reduce the pollution threshold.
**7. Coalition Continues Power Price Attack Lines**
The Coalition continues to attack Labor's policy on power prices, with Michelle Landry saying that a business in her electorate has seen its bills skyrocket and forced it to hold off hiring 100 new staff.
**8. Albanese Says No to Free Vote on Online Gambling Advertising**
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says no to allowing a free vote on online gambling advertising, despite crossbenchers pushing for the issue to be debated.
**1. Victoria Police Declare Large Areas of Melbourne as 'Designated Area'**
Victoria police have declared large areas of Melbourne CBD and surrounding suburbs as a "designated area" for six months, giving officers greater search powers without a warrant.
**2. Inner Melbourne Community Legal Accuses Police of "Vast Overreach"**
Inner Melbourne Community Legal has accused Victoria police of taking an unprecedented approach to declaring the entire city as a designated area, which will make it an offense to resist police searches and remove face masks that may conceal one's identity.
**3. Australian Bureau of Statistics Reveals Census Questions on Gender and Sexual Orientation**
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has confirmed the topics and content of next year's census, including questions on gender and sexual orientation.
**4. Question Time Continues with Crossbenchers Targeting Bowen over Power Prices**
Crossbenchers are continuing to target Chris Bowen over power prices, asking when businesses will see their bills drop and whether Labor will review the safeguard mechanism.
**5. Nationals Join Coalition Attacks over Power Prices**
Nationals MP Andrew Wilcox is joining the Coalition's attacks on power prices, asking when businesses in his electorate will see their bills drop.
**6. Crossbench Targets Bowen over Safeguard Mechanism**
The independent Nicolette Boele is pressing the energy minister Chris Bowen over the government's safeguard mechanism, asking when Labor will review the mechanism and whether Bowen will adopt a recommendation by the productivity commission to reduce the pollution threshold.
**7. Coalition Continues Power Price Attack Lines**
The Coalition continues to attack Labor's policy on power prices, with Michelle Landry saying that a business in her electorate has seen its bills skyrocket and forced it to hold off hiring 100 new staff.
**8. Albanese Says No to Free Vote on Online Gambling Advertising**
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says no to allowing a free vote on online gambling advertising, despite crossbenchers pushing for the issue to be debated.
I mean, it's understandable that they want to keep people safe and enforce certain rules, but six months? That's a pretty long time for me... I think there's gotta be some kind of limit on how much power they're allowed to have. And what about the community legal group saying it's an "unprecedented approach"? Doesn't that ring a bell of concern?
Asking questions about gender and sexual orientation is already out there, but I guess it's good they're being clear about what's going on. But still, I don't know how much info you guys want to share... 
Like, what if you're just a simple baker and don't know any of that stuff? Do they have like a "none of the above" option or something? 
Anyway, speaking of Melbourne, have you ever tried to navigate the city when it's raining? It's like, super scary driving on those potholed streets... 
anyway, census questions on gender and sexual orientation are kinda cool, i guess 
. not sure how people will feel about that one... seems like the crossbenchers are just trying to stir up some trouble over power prices 
... Bowen's got a lot of work ahead of him if he wants to convince everyone his plan is gonna work 
. nationals joining in on the attack lines? weird, thought they were all about rural stuff 
. and Albanese saying no to a free vote on online gambling advo? seems like an easy win for the coalition, but we'll see how it plays out 
. And don't even get me started on power prices – it's like they can't agree on anything 
. I mean, I know some people love a good debate, but come on, can't we just have one straightforward answer for once?! 
, can't believe the inner melbourne community legal is sayin this is a vast overreach and all that but honestly who needs face masks anymore its getting a bit old 
. census questions on gender and sexual orientation are like yay lets get more info 
but I hope they dont end up makin it into law or somethin, and those crossbenchers attackin Bowen over power prices is just so extra 
, Nationals joinin the coalitions attacks is like the ultimate bipartisan thing 
meanwhile, what really matters is that the census questions on gender and sexual orientation might actually help reduce stigma around certain groups... can't we focus on progress instead of creating drama? 
. Like, what's up with the Victoria police declaring huge chunks of Melbourne as "designated areas" 
. I mean, I get it, keeping people safe is important, but do we really need to give them all this extra power without even needing a warrant? 
It's just not right.
. I'm glad they're including those topics, but it's also kinda weird that it's only being done now 
. Why wasn't this done in previous censuses?
! What do you guys think?
it's like we're still tryna figure out who's who in this country. But at the same time, I reckon it's good to know how many people identify as LGBTQ+, so maybe it'll help us become more inclusive? 
it's like our politicians are just tryin' to play politics with people's livelihoods. I mean, I get that energy costs can be high, but we need to find ways to reduce 'em, not just blame the other side. 
on the other hand, having census questions about gender and sexual orientation is kinda cool... i mean, its about time we got more accurate data on how diverse australia is 
just how much is going on in Melbourne right now? Police getting super powerful and everyone's concerned about their rights 
...
. And power prices? Give me a break, it's all about the money 
It's like they're taking away our freedoms and giving the cops way too much power. I get that security is important, but can't we find a better balance?