Victoria's Regional Voters Seek Change as Disillusionment Grows with Labor

Regional voters in Victoria are expressing growing disillusionment with the current government, leading many traditional Labor supporters to consider alternative options just six weeks ahead of the state election.

David Pickering from Ballarat, a self-described lifelong Labor voter, is among those questioning their loyalty. "I feel that it's time for a change. I feel like they've become complacent and stuck with their decision-making," he said. "They are not offering anything for the rural areas. They say they are going to fix the potholes, but I'm not seeing it."

Pickering, 63, is leaning towards voting for the Liberals, citing concerns over cost of living issues, potholes, and telecommunications. "I'm more than likely going to lean towards the Liberals, but it's a tough one," he said.

Labor Defectors

Nadia David, a former Labor candidate who ran for the seat of Indi at the 2022 federal election, has quit the party over the state government's controversial Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF). She describes herself as "politically homeless" and hopes Labor loses the election. "This Labor government in Victoria is now so bloated and corrupt. It deserves to be tossed," Ms David said.

Ms David expressed frustration with Labor's metro-centric focus and lack of engagement with regional communities. "I certainly don't see any level of engagement, and I don't see any intentional engagement with rural and regional Victorians that are outside of Labor held seats," she said.

Research Suggests Labor's Decline

An Accent Research study found that almost half of respondents who voted for Labor in the 2022 state election intend to vote differently this November. Postdoctoral research fellow Emily Foley, a co-author of the study, noted that cost of living, crime and public safety, and health care and hospitals were the top three issues for voters. "The pothole is a perfect example, it represents 12 years of feeling as though they have been taken for granted by the Labor government," Dr Foley said.

Multiple Factors Behind Labor's Decline

Election analyst Casey Briggs said Labor's decline was the result of an "accumulation" of factors, including an aging government, corruption issues, and unpopular leaders. "Labor was seriously looking at a defeat kind of from the beginning of this year," he said.

Voting for Change

Jonathan Flind from Mount Clear, a traditional Labor voter, plans to vote Liberal this election, citing a Coalition pledge to spend $5 billion rebuilding roads. Tracey Walsh from Wangaratta, who has generally voted Labor or Greens, is considering a donkey vote in the lower house as a protest against the major parties.

Ballarat resident Matthew Puku said fiscal sustainability, housing, and crime were his key election issues. He expected a change of government after November 28, saying "with the shake-up comes opportunity for something newer and better."

Stopping the Bleed

The government's decision to defer increases to the emergency services levy to July 2027 has not stopped concerns about Labor losing support in regional Victoria. Bendigo Trades Hall secretary Luke Martin said he was seeing more voters drifting towards One Nation, with some unionists doing so in protest.