Victorian election: high costs and unkept promises could flip Melbourne’s Labor heartland to One Nation
News Source
•Thu, 05 Nov 2026 14:00:27 GMT
📰 What Happened
The Guardian looks at whether Victoria's election on 28 November could flip seats in Melbourne's Labor heartland to One Nation. The headline points to high living costs and promises that were not kept as the reasons voters may switch. Labor has held these areas for decades. A swing there would signal a much wider change in Australian politics than a few lost seats, because it would mean lifelong Labor voters are willing to walk away.
🔍 The Backstory
One Nation, led by Pauline Hanson, has long polled in the low single digits nationally. Its support has grown as cost-of-living pressure bites and trust in the major parties falls. Victoria votes on 28 November, with Labor's Ben Carroll as premier and the Liberals' Jess Wilson as opposition leader. Minor parties rarely win lower-house seats, but a strong first-preference vote can decide who wins once preferences are counted.
🎯 Why It Matters
If safe Labor seats really are in play, the result on 28 November could reshape Victorian politics and show how far voter anger has spread.
The Guardian looks at whether Victoria's election on 28 November could flip seats in Melbourne's Labor heartland to One Nation. The headline points to high living costs and promises that were not kept as the reasons voters may switch. Labor has held these areas for decades. A swing there would signal a much wider change in Australian politics than a few lost seats, because it would mean lifelong Labor voters are willing to walk away.
One Nation, led by Pauline Hanson, has long polled in the low single digits nationally. Its support has grown as cost-of-living pressure bites and trust in the major parties falls. Victoria votes on 28 November, with Labor's Ben Carroll as premier and the Liberals' Jess Wilson as opposition leader. Minor parties rarely win lower-house seats, but a strong first-preference vote can decide who wins once preferences are counted.
If safe Labor seats really are in play, the result on 28 November could reshape Victorian politics and show how far voter anger has spread.