How a perfect storm in Melbourne could threaten Labor’s heartland
The Greens are eyeing Labor seats in Melbourne in their bid to expand their representation in parliament. Capital Brief joined their campaign on the weekend.
Huddled under her potential constituents’ awnings as what feels like a cyclone howls around her, Samantha Ratnam delivers a consistent message: if just one in ten voters switch to the Greens, the federal seat of Wills will change hands.
Ratnam quit the Victorian state leadership in April to contest the inner-north Melbourne electorate, where a sea change has been underway for nearly a decade. The Greens believe the dam may finally burst this time around, potentially plunging Labor into minority government.
After unprecedented success in the last election, the minor party is now eyeing Labor’s heartland. It views Wills, previously held by Labor luminaries such as Bob Hawke, as the next step for expansion.
This weekend, Capital Brief was given access to a campaign already underway to unseat incumbent MP Peter Khalil.
