Prahran preference row escalates as Labor and Greens trade accusations

Victoria’s Labor and Greens parties are trading accusations over preference decisions ahead of the state election on 28 November. The Greens will not recommend Labor on their how-to-vote cards in 15 electorates, retaliating against Labor’s decision to leave preferences open in Prahran, a seat the Greens hope to regain.

Prahran is held by the Liberals on a 1.3 per cent margin, and Labor says the Greens’ move could help the Liberals and One Nation. The Greens accuse Labor of making a backroom deal with the Liberals, while saying they will put One Nation last in every electorate. Pollster Tony Barry says about 85 per cent of Greens’ exhausted votes have historically flowed to Labor and 15 per cent to the Coalition; he warns the change could matter in the closely contested seat of Essendon.