Victorian by-election: Labor claims Werribee victory with slim margin

Labor has claimed a narrow Werribee by-election victory, with the party’s former stronghold now held on a slim margin.

At last count and after preferences, Labor’s candidate John Lister had received 50.71 per cent of the vote compared to Liberal Steve Murphy on 49.29 per cent.

That followed a 16.5 per cent slump in Labor’s primary vote.

The party has held Werribee, in Melbourne’s west, since 1979 most recently through former Treasurer Tim Pallas whose resignation forced the vote.

Labor claimed the win on social media on Friday, congratulating Mr Lister and describing him as the new Labor member.

“John has served Werribee as a teacher and a CFA volunteer – now, he’ll represent the community he loves in Victoria’s parliament,” Victorian Labor said on X, formerly Twitter.

The by-election was the first test for Premier Jacinta Allan after taking over the top job from Daniel Andrews.

Deputy Premier Ben Carroll said previously the party had heard voters “loud and clear” over the slump in support.

Commentators have speculated whether the result could translate to a shift to the right in Victoria at the next federal election, which must be held by May 17.

The vote in Werribee was held on the same day as a by-election in the inner eastern suburb of Prahran, where Liberal candidate Rachel Westaway won.

The seat had been held by the Greens since 2014 with the vote prompted by the resignation of Sam Hibbins after he revealed an affair with a staffer.

The Greens said they were hurt by lost preferences after Labor chose not to run a candidate and by absentee votes not being allowed.