Voters in Melbourne’s western suburbs sent a strong message to the Labor government during the Werribee byelection, with Premier Jacinta Allan acknowledging late on Saturday that the outcome in the seat was too close to call. Meanwhile, in Prahran, the Greens faced a significant challenge, as the Liberals held a narrow lead, and the final result there is also expected to take until next week to determine. The Greens had a 12 percent margin in the seat in 2022.
A mishap at the Victorian Electoral Commission’s early voting center delayed the counting of pre-poll and postal votes in Werribee, with a leak in the roof causing a slow start to the tally. By 11pm, 75 percent of votes had been counted. Liberal candidate Steve Murphy was leading with just over 29 percent of first preferences, while Labor’s John Lister had over 28 percent. Independent candidate Paul Hopper had nearly 15 percent.
On a two-candidate preferred basis, Lister was slightly ahead with just over 50 percent at 11:30pm. If the trend continued, it suggested a significant shift away from Labor, with a level of voter discontent not seen in any byelection since the Andrews government came to power a decade ago. Premier Jacinta Allan admitted the race was still too close to call, with the final result expected to be a nail-biter.
In Prahran, with two-thirds of the vote counted by 11pm, Greens candidate Angelica Di Camillo and Liberal candidate Rachel Westaway were tied at 36 percent of the primary vote, with independent Tony Lupton securing almost 13 percent. At the latest update, Westaway led on a two-party preferred basis with nearly 52 percent.
Greens leader Ellen Sandell described the result as “on a knife’s edge,” urging volunteers to help scrutinize the count when it resumes on Monday. She emphasized the importance of ensuring every vote for Di Camillo counted.
The byelections have highlighted significant concerns for both Labor and the Greens. Premier Allan focused her pitch to Werribee voters on easing financial pressures, particularly for working families, while Opposition Leader Brad Battin spoke about the Liberal Party’s commitment to challenging Labor’s grip on the western suburbs. He emphasized that the issues of transport, cost of living, and crime were central to the campaign in Werribee.
Labor’s candidate in Werribee, John Lister, is a local teacher, and Premier Allan joined him to campaign in Wyndham Vale, acknowledging the tough economic conditions that families face. Deputy Premier Ben Carroll expressed support for Allan and reminded volunteers that the fight for working Victorians in the west and north continues.
The Werribee byelection was previously a safe seat, held by former Treasurer Tim Pallas with an 11 percent margin. However, the campaign highlighted frustration over the government’s handling of transport and infrastructure, as well as increasing concerns about crime and living costs. Voters voiced their concerns at polling booths, with many citing worsening living standards and crime.
In Prahran, the flow of preferences is expected to determine the result, as both the Greens and Liberals are in a tight contest. The byelection was triggered by the resignation of Greens MP Sam Hibbins, and the seat has been held by the Greens for the last decade. Former Labor MP turned independent Tony Lupton has campaigned vigorously against the Greens, accusing them of extremism and antisemitism. His presence, coupled with his decision to preference the Liberals, has complicated the outcome and made the counting process more intricate.
Liberal supporters in Prahran expressed hope for a seat flip, and candidate Rachel Westaway, a former Administrative Appeals Tribunal member, was optimistic despite the close race. Battin, who took over as Liberal leader after a party leadership challenge, joined Westaway at her election night gathering, thanking her supporters.
Meanwhile, tensions have been running high at polling places in Prahran, fueled by an anti-Greens campaign backed by the right-wing group Advance. Allegations of aggressive behavior and misconduct at polling stations have been raised, with both the Greens and Advance filing complaints with the Victorian Electoral Commission.
These byelections are the first test for the state’s political leadership following the Liberal Party’s leadership change in December. Regardless of the results in Werribee and Prahran, both major parties will be analyzing the results closely as they gear up for the state election in November and the federal election this year.