Victoria’s state election attracted significant attention throughout Australia being widely regarded as a test of Daniel Andrews, his leadership and his controversial handling of the state’s response to COVID-19.
While the analysis of Labour’s victory is sure to create significant debate, including a focus on the opposition’s failure to provide a meaningful and attractive alternative once again, it is clear that many Victorians have once again placed their trust in the ALP and Premier Daniel Andrews
This is despite widespread dissatisfaction amongst many voters with the government’s policies and way of governing which had led, some analysts, to suggest the ALP could lose several seats.
The ALP’s rule in Victoria has been marked by various major scandals which placed the State Government under intense scrutiny but which, it appears, failed to generate significant voter concern.
A few months ago the findings of Operation Watts, an investigation by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) and the Victorian Ombudsman, were released.
In a wide ranging report, which included discussion of the actions of members of parliament, the report found several instances of unethical behaviour including “the hiring of unqualified people into publicly funded roles; using those roles to support factional work; nepotism; forging signatures; bullying behaviours; and attempts to interfere with government grants” (source: https://www.ibac.vic.gov.au).
Similarly, the State Government’s draconian COVID-19 policies, including the world’s longest lockdown (263 days), failed to dent many voters’ enthusiasm.
The election victory is Daniel Andrews third consecutive election win and means that he will now be one of Labour’s longest-serving premiers.
The other winners of the State election are the Greens.
For the Liberals, it is another disastrous defeat and should prompt significant work to ensure the party is ready for the next State election.
The Liberal party’s leader, Matthew Guy, has resigned after yet another election defeat, and there is discussion that the Nationals may leave the State’s Coalition.
Despite the Liberal’s overall poor performance, especially in Melbourne’s east and south-east (traditionally strong areas for the Liberal party), the latest election defeat could provide valuable insights for the party’s strategists and leadership.
In particular, the party’s improved performance in Melbourne’s north and west, traditionally strong areas for ALP with a considerable number of working families and small businesses, was a surprise to some but could provide the basis for a future election victory.
The improved results in Melbourne’s north and west, although not sufficient to win seats in these areas given the extent of the ALP’s lead from the previous State election, suggests that the Liberal need to think more broadly and critically about a range of issues including policies, leadership and the running of campaigns.