Labor’s Daniel Andrews returned as premier in 2022 Victoria state election, as Coalition vote stalls
Victoria #Victoria
Daniel Andrews has been returned for a third term as Victorian premier despite a swing against Labor in the state’s election.
While the party’s primary vote fell around 6% from the “Dan-slide” in 2018, Labor was still on track to record a comfortable majority.
On a historic night for Labor, the Greens looked set to be the other big winners, picking up at least two seats – Richmond and Northcote – to continue the momentum of their most successful ever federal election result in May.
The party was also in a number of other tight battles, with counting set to continue for days after record numbers of Victorians voted early or via postal ballots.
Greens leader Samantha Ratnam was ebullient in addressing a crowd in a bar in Collingwood.
“My friends I am so proud to be up here to tell you all that the Green-slide continues,” Ratnam said.
“Tonight we are on track to colour in the map of inner-city Melbourne green.”
Ratnam disputed the notion that the Liberals choosing to preference the Greens above Labor had caused the strong result, pointing to the party’s increased first preference vote.
While the Labor vote fell, the Liberal party first preference vote was also down, collapsing below 30%.
Those votes flowed to minor parties – including the Nationals, who gained three seats – as well as independents.
Whether or not Victorian parliament will gain a ‘teal’ independent might not be known for several days, but at least two were in strong positions, with Kate Lardner leading in the seat of Mornington, while Melissa Lowe looked competitive against former Liberal shadow attorney-general John Pesutto in Hawthorn.
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One small positive for the Liberal party was the seat of Nepean, in Melbourne’s south-east, where the former tennis professional Sam Groth entered the parliament.
The party also looked set to retain the seat of Kew, formerly held by controversial MP Tim Smith who retired at this election. The seat was facing a significant teal challenge but looks likely to be retained by Liberal Jess Wilson.
But there was little else to cheer for the Coalition, with Andrews’ victory putting him on track to become the longest-serving Labor premier Victoria has ever had.
If he remains leader until Easter, he’ll take the mantle from John Cain Jr, who was premier for most of the 1980s.