Why the seat of Prahran matters in the 2018 Victorian State election
IT’S the most marginal seat in Victoria, home to wealthy Toorak families, public housing tenants, and a significant gay and lesbian population. Here’s what matters most in the seat of Prahran.
Victoria State Election
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PRAHRAN is the most marginal seat in Victoria.
The electorate is made up of a divergent population including wealthy Toorak families, a large number of public housing tenants, and a significant gay and lesbian population.
Results of the past three state elections have seen the seat switch hands to a different party, from Labor in 2006 to Liberal in 2010 and most recently the Greens in 2014.
WHERE THE ELECTION WILL BE WON
A genuine three-party contest, with Labor preferences helping boost Sam Hibbins above former MP Clem Newton-Brown by 277 votes at the 2014 election.
All party candidates started doorknocking campaigns earlier this year with Prahran likely to play a role in whether the Greens can have a shot at holding the balance of power in the Legislative Assembly.
The Liberals are likely to need the seat if they are to have a chance of winning government.
Seat of Prahran
Held by: Greens MP Sam Hibbins (2PP 0.37%).
Leading rival candidates: Katie Allen (Liberal), Neil Pharaoh (ALP).
Suburbs include: Prahran, South Yarra, Windsor, parts of Melbourne, St Kilda and Toorak.
Local landmarks/points of interest: Chapel St retail district, Prahran market, entrance to the planned Melbourne Metro rail tunnel, Royal Botanic Gardens, parts of the Sandringham and Frankston/Cranbourne/Pakenham train lines.
Major issues:
Congestion
Major roads such as St Kilda Rd, Dandenong Rd, and Toorak Rd.
Read more:
TUNNEL WORKS TO IMPACT ST KILDA RD, TOORAK RD
MELBOURNE’S WORST ROADS REVEALED
Crime
Particularly around the Chapel St precinct.
Read more:
PRAHRAN POLICE STATION REBUILD VOW
CHAPEL ST ARMED ROBBERY ARRESTS
FIST FIGHT STOPS PRAHRAN TRAFFIC
LGBTQI equality
Read more:
HOW SAFE IS MELBOURNE FOR MEN?
JASON BALL: THERE’S STILL WORK TO DO
Public transport
Including packed trains on Frankston, Pakenham, Cranbourne and Sandringham lines, the future of Melbourne Metro tunnel, and plans to upgrade South Yarra station.
Read more:
Libs retain Ripon after thriller re-count
The Liberals appear to have held on to their most marginal seat — but only just. This is how many votes separated MP Louise Stalety and Labor candidate Sarah De Santis.
O’Brien set to lead shattered Liberals
Former state treasurer Michael O’Brien appears set to take leadership of the Victorian Liberals. It comes after a 71-year-old retired naval officer who has never learnt to drive ended the leadership hopes of John Pesutto.