Werribee, Prahran By-elections Challenge Labor Party

Recent by-elections in the Victorian seats of Werribee and Prahran have posed challenges for the Labor Party, indicating a potential shift in voter sentiment that could impact the upcoming federal election. Labor faced a significant swing against them in Werribee, a traditionally safe seat, with the race still too close to call. Despite a drop in Labor's primary vote, the Liberals have not significantly capitalized, suggesting voter discontent might not be translating into increased support for the opposition. Prahran saw the Liberals leading over the Greens in a seat where Labor did not field a candidate. The electoral process faced scrutiny due to a chaotic vote count, prompting calls for a review by both major parties. These results highlight challenges for federal Labor, with analysts suggesting the federal election could be closely contested, especially given the discontent reflected in state-level results.