Federal election: Latest odds for McEwen, Indi, Nicholls and Corangamite
The odds of the Coalition winning a seat from Labor on the outskirts of Melbourne was considered remote, but things have changed.
McEwen has joined the list of Victorian regional seats to watch on Saturday night if the bookies are right with the Liberal Party growing increasingly optimistic of snatching it from Labor.
Sportsbet offered $12 on Liberal Richard Welch winning the seat when the election was called, but his odds have shortened to $4.50.
Labor’s Rob Mitchell has held the seat since 2010 and remains the $1.18 favourite.
“McEwen is clearly in play and the odds shortening by so much reflect that,” a Liberal Party source said.
“The Prime Minister has visited McEwen twice and some serious infrastructure commitments have been made.”
A $1.62 billion freight terminal at Beveridge was announced in the budget in late March.
Indi MP Helen Haines is on track to replicate her predecessor Cathy McGowan with a second election success, according to Sportsbet.
Dr Haines has been a short-priced favourite since the election was called with her two first-time Coalition challengers, Liberal Ross Lyman and Nationals Liz Fisher both at double figure odds early on.
She remains a $1.05 chance, but Mr Lyman has shortened from $10 to $8 in the past week.
The Liberal insider said Mr Lyman was a “very good bet” in a seat which had attracted little attention compared to neighbouring Nicholls.
“Indi is flying under the radar for the Liberal Party because of the presumption that the independent has built her margin,” the Liberal source said.
“But on the ground there is a sense that is not the case.”
Nationals candidate Sam Birrell is a $1.60 favourite to retain Nicholls following the retirement of Damian Drum with independent challenger Rob Priestly the second favourite at $3.
Liberal Stephen Brooks is the value bet at $5 in a seat difficult to predict the outcome.
Labor’s Libby Coker holds favouritism in Corangamite at $1.45, but again Prime Minister Scott Morrison was back in the electorate this week supporting Liberal challenger Stephanie Asher who is considered a $3 chance.
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