Arabic version: انتخابات فيكتوريا تشهد ثلاث قوى معارضة متنافسة

According to ABC News, Victoria’s state election campaign has developed into a contest involving three oppositions seeking to form government in eight weeks: Jess Wilson’s Liberal and National Coalition, One Nation, and Premier Ben Carroll’s Labor government. The election is scheduled for November 28.

The Coalition is campaigning after 12 years of Labor government and wants the election to be a referendum on the government. One Nation released its full platform on Saturday, focusing on law and order and tax relief. Polls suggest Pauline Hanson’s party could attract around one in four Victorian voters, despite having provided limited policy detail until the weekend.

Carroll, premier for two months, has sought to distinguish his government from those led by Daniel Andrews and Jacinta Allan, despite serving as a minister under both. On Sunday, he promised to wind back land tax increases introduced in 2023. He has also introduced Jack’s Law, cancelled a statue of Andrews and promised greater fiscal responsibility.

Labor has announced local commitments, including $15 million for a basketball centre in Carroll’s Niddrie electorate if he is returned in November. Carroll has also promoted the airport rail project, saying trains will run to East Keilor station in 2031, while no date has been given for trains reaching the airport. Upfield line upgrades have been pushed back to 2033.

Integrity is expected to be a major election issue following allegations of corruption on Big Build sites and criticism of the Allan government’s response. Carroll has called a royal commission. Parliament also passed reforms to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission before it was prorogued. No party is expected to secure a majority, particularly in the upper house, potentially making cross-party collaboration important after the election.