This November’s poll, taking place only days after the 2026 APSA Conference, promises to be Victoria’s closest state election in over a decade. The Labor Government has been in power for 12 years and the weight of that tenure is showing. After winning successive landslide victories the Labor party is now in a tight race with the Opposition. Premier Jacinta Allan has been burdened by corruption scandals and tighter economic times than her predecessor. The Victorian Liberals, out of power for 23 of the last 27 years has faced intra-party turmoil in recent years, but appears competitive under young, moderate leader Jess Wilson. It could well be a government-changing election.
But the contest in 2026 is complex: One Nation, independents, and Greens all look likely to take seats, and many contests will be three-cornered. The fragmentation of the party system looks likely to impact both the Labor and Liberal parties across the state. Parties will need to navigate these developing complexities on the campaign trail. It will be a complicated, fascinating, high-stakes election — one that can teach us things not only about Victoria, but about the dynamics of sub-national Australian politics more generally.
In anticipation of Saturday 28 November’s result, this panel brings together scholars from across the country in a round table discussion of the campaign. Part of a broader research project, these researchers have closely followed the election through a dozen key races and their analyses will shed light on the race and the insights into Australia's political landscape that it provides.
