In short:
Victoria’s election is shaping as a three-way political fight, with Labor, the Coalition and a rising One Nation battling for voters. Ben Carroll, Jess Wilson and Warren Pickering are offering three increasingly different pitches ahead of 28 November.
Who Is Your Preferred Premier?
Political Reckoning Looms For Victoria
Victoria’s state election is rapidly becoming a three-way political fight, with a new Premier, a Liberal opposition targeting Labor heartland and a rising One Nation threatening to scramble the November result.
Ben Carroll’s replacement of Jacinta Allan in July dramatically reset Labor’s campaign after almost 12 years in government, with the new Premier shifting towards the political centre and wasting little time opening the election chequebook.
Free dental clinics and a growing list of road projects have followed, with Melbourne’s west receiving plenty of attention as November approaches.
Locally, Labor has promised to duplicate Point Cook Road between Central Avenue and Dunnings Road, adding to a growing list of commitments as Carroll attempts to convince voters his government represents a break from the Andrews and Allan eras.
(The Greens may wield considerable power over Labor as the latter faces an election wipeout).
Opposition Begin To Make Inroads
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Jess Wilson is attempting to make inroads into Labor’s traditionally dominant western suburbs.
The Liberals have unveiled candidates across Wyndham and promised $1.7 billion for 25 hybrid trains to service the Wyndham Vale and Melton corridors, pitching the plan as a faster alternative while the west continues waiting for long-promised electrification.
But the Coalition has hardly enjoyed a clean run towards November, with internal turmoil including Moira Deeming losing Liberal endorsement and Roshena Campbell emerging as the party’s lead Western Metropolitan Region upper-house candidate.
Then there is One Nation.
(One Nation pose a major hurdle to Labor or Liberal forming a majority government).
Both Major Parties Under Threat
Once a peripheral player in Victorian politics, the party is entering November with Warren Pickering as its Victorian leader and candidate for Pakenham, while Fiona Lopez is on its upper-house ticket.
Labor has responded by repeatedly warning of a potential “Liberal-One Nation” government — a potent campaign attack despite no formal coalition between the parties existing. Both Pickering and Wilson have rejected the prospect.
Labor could face its own negotiations after polling day. If it loses its lower-house majority but remains within reach of government, Carroll may ultimately need support from the Greens or other crossbenchers to remain in power.
Three leaders. Three increasingly different pitches.
