A Monash University expert is available to comment ahead of Saturday’s Mulgrave by-election to discuss political candidates vying for former Premier Daniel Andrews’ seat.
Dr Zareh Ghazarian, Senior Lecturer in Politics, School of Social Sciences
Contact: +61 402 851 224 or Zareh.Ghazarian@monash.edu
Read more of Dr Ghazarian’s commentary at Monash Lens
The following can be attributed to Dr Ghazarian:
“The Mulgrave by-election is the first electoral test for the new Premier, Jacinta Allan, following the retirement of Daniel Andrews. This has traditionally been an electorate held by Labor, and Daniel Andrews won Mulgrave with a primary vote of over 50 per cent at the state election in 2022, meaning that preferences were not required.
“There are 10 candidates running at this by-election. Ian Cook, an independent candidate who came second on primary votes at the 2022 election will be contesting in addition to the Liberal Party candidate.
“By-elections are special and place even greater emphasis on local issues, candidates and parties. That’s why this is a high stakes contest for the new Premier. If Labor is successful in holding this seat, which electoral trends suggest it should, then the government will continue on its set path. But if there is an upset and Labor loses the seat then we might be seeing a bit of a change in Victorian politics.”
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