The Victorian Liberal Party has claimed victory in the key byelection for the seat of Nepean, though the result has triggered a sharp political confrontation regarding the party’s alignment with One Nation ahead of the November state election.
A Hollow Victory in Nepean
Liberal candidate Anthony Marsh, a former mayor of the Mornington Peninsula, is expected to be comfortably elected on preferences. But, the party’s primary support showed a significant decline, recording 38.5% of the primary vote—a drop of 9.6%.
The contest was marked by a strong showing from minor and independent candidates. One Nation commanded 24.7% of the first-preference votes, while community independent Tracee Hutchison polled 21.3%.
The Preference Clash
Opposition leader Jess Wilson has refused to rule out a preference deal with One Nation for the upcoming November election. When pressed on the issue, Wilson stated she was not interested in discussions about preferences
at this time, noting that such decisions are typically made by the party much closer to the election date.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan used the result to attack the Liberals’ viability, claiming the outcome proved the party can’t govern without One Nation
and would be forced to rely on preference deals
.
Allan further asserted that Victorians can’t afford
a Liberal-One Nation government, describing the two as being on a unity ticket of cuts
that would threaten essential health services.
extremeforce. The real battle in November may not be between Labor and the Liberals, but over who controls the right-wing narrative in a fragmented electorate.
Budget Commitments for Pediatric Care
Amidst the political friction, Premier Jacinta Allan announced that the upcoming Tuesday state budget will allocate $130m to fast-track treatment for sick children. Speaking at the Royal Children’s hospital in Melbourne, the Premier detailed how the funds would be distributed.
- More than $50m to fund 4,000 additional planned surgeries for children.
- $16m for 45,000 extra specialist appointments for children and young people.
- $33.3m to expand a digital patient data platform.
- Approximately $8m for a
Specialist Advice Now
pilot program allowing GPs to obtain specialist advice without a referral.
National and State Briefing
In Queensland, Premier David Crisafulli announced the state government will unlock public land near ports—including Brisbane, Townsville, Mackay, Gladstone, Abbot Point, and Bundaberg—for oil refining and storage proposals to reduce reliance on global supply chains.
Meanwhile, the federal Labor government is not ruling out an extension of the fuel excise cut, which currently saves motorists 26 cents a litre. Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino indicated a decision would likely come after the budget handed down by Jim Chalmers this month.
In New South Wales, police have arrested a 32-year-old man following a domestic violence incident in Rosemeadow that left three people dead. Superintendent Grant Healey described the scene as very bloody
, noting that blunt force trauma and an edge weapon were likely involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the primary vote result for the Liberals in Nepean?
The Liberals recorded 38.5% of the primary vote, which represented a drop of 9.6%.
How much is the Victorian government investing in children’s healthcare in the next budget?
The government is allocating $130m to fund fast-tracked treatment for sick children.
What is the current status of the federal fuel excise cut?
The cut is currently slated to run for three months, and while the government is not ruling out an extension, a decision is expected after the budget.
Do you believe the surge of minor parties in byelections is a sign of a permanent shift in voter loyalty or a temporary reaction to current economic pressures?
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