Victoria Election: Labor and Greens Clash Over Preferences

The political landscape ahead of the upcoming Victorian election has intensified significantly as the Greens retaliate against a crucial decision by the state government. The Greens confirmed they will not direct preferences to the governing victoria labor party across 15 electorates in the upcoming November poll, triggering a harsh exchange between political rivals.

This decision follows Labor's move to run an open ticket in the inner Melbourne seat of Prahran. The Greens had anticipated receiving Labor preferences to help reclaim the electorate, which is currently held by the Liberals on a very slim margin following a 2025 byelection. Greens leader Ellen Sandell previously described the Labor strategy as an unforgivable act that could potentially hand government to a Liberal-One Nation coalition.

Preference swaps spark fierce accusations between Victorian Labor and the Greens ahead of the November election.

In response, a Labor spokesperson turned the terminology back on the Greens, alleging that they had struck a deal to help elect a conservative government. The Greens firmly rejected these claims, accusing Labor of misleading voters and confirming they would place One Nation last in every single electorate across Victoria.

The 15 affected seats where the Greens will alter their how-to-vote cards include Albert Park, Ashwood, Bellarine, Bendigo East, Bendigo West, Essendon, Euroa, Gippsland East, Mildura, Mornington, Point Cook, Polwarth, South Barwon, Tarneit, and Werribee. Labor is particularly concerned about potential impacts in marginal electorates such as Albert Park, Ashwood, Bellarine, South Barwon, and the Bendigo seats previously held by prominent former figures.

Meanwhile, analyst perspectives suggest that the practical impact on voters may vary. According to Redbridge strategist and pollster Tony Barry, the majority of Greens voters do not strictly follow party voting guides, though tight races in seats like Essendon could potentially see minor preference shifts influence the final outcome.

Why it matters

This unfolding preference dispute directly affects the electoral calculations of major parties in key marginal seats across Victoria, potentially shifting outcomes in closely contested races on 28 November.