When will we know who won the Werribee by-election?

The result of the Werribee by-election could prove a bellwether for upcoming federal and state elections. So who is winning, when will we get a result and what is the Premier saying?

The Werribee by-election result could be a game changer for Victorian politics. Here is everything you need to know right now.

Who is winning?

As of the last result issued by the Victorian Electoral Commission on Sunday, Labor’s candidate John Lister is in the lead with 20,132 votes, followed by Liberal candidate Steve Murphy with 19,691 – a gap of just 441 votes. Given the close results and the votes not yet counted it’s too early to call.

Why is it taking so long to get a result?

With the polls so tight the result will come down to the more than 4000 postal votes that have been sent out by the Victorian Electoral Commission not yet returned.

So when will we get a result?

It’s expected that a result will be announced by Friday.

Premier Jacinta Allen with Labor candidate John Lister. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

What we know so far

There has been a significant swing against Labor who have held the seat since 1979. Retired Treasurer Tim Pallas – who stepped down last year – won the seat in 2022 with a 10.9 per cent margin, which amounted to 45 per cent of the primary vote.

Labor’s current candidate so far has only 28.71 per cent. This shows that there has been a significant voter backlash against the Labor Government.

If replicated statewide at the November 2026 election, Labor will lose a significant number of seats, but not enough to lose government.

What was the result of the Prahran by-election also held on Saturday?

Liberal candidate Rachel Westaway claimed victory on Sunday after the Greens conceded defeat in the seat they’ve held since 2014.

Labor did not run a candidate in a move many have said was to save face amid fears they could not win the seat.

Werribee Liberal candidate Steve Murphy with senator Evan Mulholland. Picture: Tony Gough

What has Premier Jacinta Allan said?

Ms Allan told Labor supporters on Sunday night that by-elections were tough, but they gave an opportunity for the community to send a message to the government.

She said it is “absolutely clear” that the government had to do more in Werribee to address the cost of living crisis as well as crime fears.

Deputy Premier Ben Carroll told 3AW the collapse in Labor’s primary vote in Werribee “unacceptable” as party leadership pledge to “do more” to win back voters.

What has Liberal leader Brad Battin said?

Opposition leader Brad Battin spoke alongside winning candidate Rachel Westaway on Sunday afternoon, saying the victory was because voters were “sick of the Greens and Labor destroying their lives.”

He said the Werribee results would be tight.

“There’s still a lot of postal votes outstanding,” Mr Battin said.

Originally published as When will we know who won the Werribee by-election?