Muslim Votes Matter softens anti-Labor stance ahead of Victorian election in bid to defeat One Nation in at-risk seats
News Source
โขWed, 04 Nov 2026 14:00:36 GMT
๐ฐ What Happened
Muslim Votes Matter has changed its approach for the Victorian election on 28 November. The group will now tell supporters to put Labor ahead of One Nation in every lower house seat. It campaigned hard against Labor over Gaza at the last federal election.
Volunteers will hand out how-to-vote cards in Greenvale, Narre Warren South and Tarneit. Those outer suburban seats have large Muslim communities and are held by Labor. Spokesperson Ghaith Krayem said the group does not want to help One Nation win.
๐ The Backstory
Muslim Votes Matter formed as a grassroots pro-Palestine group. At the 2025 federal election it backed Greens and independent candidates to punish Labor over its response to the war in Gaza. That strategy worried some community leaders who feared it helped the right.
This time the group still will not put Labor first on its cards. It prefers independents and minor parties at the top. But it will direct preferences to Labor where Liberal votes could otherwise flow to Pauline Hanson's party.
๐ฏ Why It Matters
Preferences decide who wins many close seats. A small shift in how one community votes can tip a seat and change who governs Victoria.
Muslim Votes Matter has changed its approach for the Victorian election on 28 November. The group will now tell supporters to put Labor ahead of One Nation in every lower house seat. It campaigned hard against Labor over Gaza at the last federal election.
Volunteers will hand out how-to-vote cards in Greenvale, Narre Warren South and Tarneit. Those outer suburban seats have large Muslim communities and are held by Labor. Spokesperson Ghaith Krayem said the group does not want to help One Nation win.
Muslim Votes Matter formed as a grassroots pro-Palestine group. At the 2025 federal election it backed Greens and independent candidates to punish Labor over its response to the war in Gaza. That strategy worried some community leaders who feared it helped the right.
This time the group still will not put Labor first on its cards. It prefers independents and minor parties at the top. But it will direct preferences to Labor where Liberal votes could otherwise flow to Pauline Hanson's party.
Preferences decide who wins many close seats. A small shift in how one community votes can tip a seat and change who governs Victoria.