Eden Foster takes Mulgrave despite a 10.9 per cent swing against her

Labor has retained the seat of former Premier Dan Andrews, but the numbers show some dark signals for the Victorian Left.

Labor has held the seat of former Victoria premier Daniel Andrews in a closely watched by-election but the win was a tight one and the numbers spell trouble for the state’s progressives.

Eden Foster, Labor’s candidate for Mulgrave, suffered a substantial 10.9 per cent swing against her in the traditionally safe Labor seat, nabbing 40.1 per cent of first preferences.

She won with 56.2 per cent of the vote after preferences, beating out Independent candidate Ian Cook.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and Labor candidate for Mulgrave Eden Foster pose for a photograph with Labor volunteers at the Mulgrave Primary School voting centre on November 18, 2023. The by-election was called following the resignation of former premier Daniel Andrews. Picture: AAP Image/James Ross

The election, triggered after Mr Andrews’ resignation as premier in September, was closely watched for any swings against Labor and what it might mean for Premier Jacinta Allan’s hold on power in the state.

Liberal Opposition leader John Pesutto heralded the results and said the voters of Mulgrave had sent Ms Allan a “strong message”.

“They are tired of her taxes, waste and mismanagement. Victoria deserves better,” he said.

Liberal candidate Courtney Mann secured a 4.4 per cent swing in his favour in first preferences, winning 21.6 per cent of the vote.

In the 2022 state election, Mr Andrews secured 51 per cent of first preferences in the seat, which takes in parts of Melbourne’s outer southeast.

Celebrating the win last night, Ms Allan said by-elections were often challenging for governments.

Mr Andrews resigned in September after leading Labor to victory in 2022. Picture: NCA / Josie Hayden

“When we started this campaign, we knew we were in for a tough fight,” she said.

Ms Allan said voters had given the seat to Labor again “they know that Labor delivers”.

Ms Foster is the former mayor of Dandenong.

“We did it, we did this,” Ms Foster said.

“It is an amazing feeling, a surreal feeling.

“I put my hand up to run in this campaign because this community has given me everything.”

Originally published as Eden Foster takes Mulgrave despite a 10.9 per cent swing against her