Victoria’s 2026 state election could have ‘great consequences’ for politics across Australia. What do voters need to know?
News Source
•Wed, 28 Oct 2026 14:00:06 GMT
📰 What Happened
Victoria will hold its state election in November, with the official campaign starting on 3 November. Labor is trying to win a fourth term in a row. That has never happened in Victoria before.
Labor is led by Premier Ben Carroll. He is the party's third leader in four years. The Liberals, led by Jess Wilson, hope to turn years of internal fighting into a win.
To form government, the Coalition must hold every seat it has and win 16 more.
🔍 The Backstory
The ABC's former election analyst, Antony Green, says the result will have greater consequences for national politics than any state election in his lifetime. That is a big call from someone who has covered elections for decades.
One reason is One Nation. If the polls are right, Pauline Hanson's party could hold the balance of power in the lower house. That would let it help decide who governs a state for the first time.
🎯 Why It Matters
State elections decide schools, hospitals, roads and power bills. This one may also shape national politics for years.
Victoria will hold its state election in November, with the official campaign starting on 3 November. Labor is trying to win a fourth term in a row. That has never happened in Victoria before.
Labor is led by Premier Ben Carroll. He is the party's third leader in four years. The Liberals, led by Jess Wilson, hope to turn years of internal fighting into a win.
To form government, the Coalition must hold every seat it has and win 16 more.
The ABC's former election analyst, Antony Green, says the result will have greater consequences for national politics than any state election in his lifetime. That is a big call from someone who has covered elections for decades.
One reason is One Nation. If the polls are right, Pauline Hanson's party could hold the balance of power in the lower house. That would let it help decide who governs a state for the first time.
State elections decide schools, hospitals, roads and power bills. This one may also shape national politics for years.