Labor candidate John Lister has bolstered his lead over Liberal candidate Steve Murphy in the contest for Werribee, with a current advantage of 593 votes following the addition of over 2,200 postal votes, as reported by the Victorian Electoral Commission. Despite this, Labor is facing significant challenges, experiencing a dramatic 16.5% drop in its primary vote and a 10.2% decrease for the two-party preferred measure.
Deputy Premier Ben Carroll described the Liberal momentum in traditionally strong Labor territory as “unacceptable,” while Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas expressed that it was a “very humbling” result for the party. Thomas acknowledged the need for introspection if Werribee’s needs aren’t being met.
The close race could indicate troubling trends for Labor, which has held Werribee since 1976. Lister has pledged to advocate for increased investment in the area, while Murphy argues that real change can only occur if Labor is ousted. Meanwhile, Greens candidate Angelica Di Camillo has conceded defeat, even as the vote count shows a closely contested battle. Overall, the outcome illustrates shifting political dynamics in this long-held Labor stronghold.