A Monash University expert is available to comment ahead of Saturday’s Dunkley by-election to discuss political candidates vying for the 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 Dunkley by-election will be a critical moment in Australian politics. The results and performances of the parties will shape the national debate over the coming year. For Labor, holding onto Dunkley will be crucial in maintaining a buffer in the House of Representatives. It will also be a test of whether Labor’s support is holding steady, or if voters are so unhappy with the government that they will vote for another party. It will also give us some insight into how voters feel about Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s leadership.
“The stakes are equally high for Liberal Party leader Peter Dutton whose strategy has been to focus on winning the support of outer metropolitan voters. If the Liberal candidate can win this seat from Labor, or at least come close to winning, Dutton’s strategy will be vindicated and his stocks within the party will rise. The next general election can be held as early as August this year, so if the Liberal Party performs poorly in this by-election many within the opposition may become nervous and may agitate for a change in leadership.”
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