Victorian Greens slam Labor’s open-ticket tactic in Prahran as a dangerous gift to the hard right
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The Victorian Greens say Labor’s decision to leave preferences blank in the marginal Prahran seat could hand the contest to a Liberal-One Nation alliance and even help deliver government to the right.
The Victorian Greens have warned that Labor’s choice to run an open ticket in the inner-Melbourne seat of Prahran could hand the constituency to a Liberal-One Nation coalition, a result the Greens say would be a devastating outcome for progressive voters. Labor will place its candidate, Meghan Hopper, first on the ballot but will not direct voters on how to allocate subsequent preferences, leaving the remaining boxes blank.
Greens leader Ellen Sandell said the move was "frankly unforgivable" and could "inadvertently help the Liberals and One Nation" secure the seat and possibly form government. She added that the decision might be remembered by voters as a "dodgy back-room deal", underscoring the Greens’ view that Labor is failing to stand up to the right when it matters most.
Labor previously lost Prahran in a 2025 by-election, where a 13.4% swing to the Greens was influenced by low turnout, an independent campaign by former Labor MP Tony Lupton and unfavourable preference flows. Sandell noted that Labor voters would be "shocked" to see the party refuse to preference a local progressive Greens candidate, Angelica Di Camillo, who also contested the by-election, despite the clear risk of empowering conservatives.
Labor officials reiterated the party’s message to place a "1" next to Labor candidates across the ballot, emphasizing a focus on securing a majority government. The party is also running an open ticket in the neighbouring seat of Caulfield, held by Liberal incumbent David Southwick, where a swing toward the Liberals is expected.
The Liberal and National parties confirmed they will exchange preferences with One Nation, with opposition leader Jess Wilson stating that how-to-vote cards will place Labor, the Greens and the Victorian Socialists at the bottom of the ticket. Shortly after, One Nation moved to disqualify its Preston candidate Franco Guardiani over controversial social-media posts, which were condemned by Liberal Senator Jane Hume as "vile".