LABOR IN BOX SEAT ON POLL EVE

DANIEL Andrews and the Labor Party are hot favourites to be re-elected tomorrow after taking a commanding lead over the Coalition in an election-eve opinion poll.

A News Corp/ YouGov Galaxy poll shows both parties neck and neck on primary support, at 40 per cent each.

The Greens are on 11 per cent and other parties are tracking at 9 per cent, meaning that after preferences are accounted for, Labor is ahead 53-47 in two party-preferred terms.

As the parties make a final pitch to voters, both sides of politics believe they are within striking distance in key seats in southeast Melbourne that could decide whether a clear majority is established tomorrow night.

THE final stage of redeveloping the Geelong Performing Arts Centre will go ahead regardless of who wins tomorrow’s election, after the Coalition matched Labor’s $128 million pledge for the project.

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy was in Geelong yesterday to make the announcement, which he said was the last major pledge for the city before the poll.

Once GPAC is completed, it will feature facilities including a 500-seat theatre, a 250-seat courtyard theatre and more dining options.

The project will cover about two thirds of the site.

Mr Guy said the funding pledge rounded off a series of commitments for Geelong that would lead to more jobs and investment, as well as starting the process of decentralisation.

“We’re proud to make this happen, to commit to it, to change this whole precinct — from the library to GPAC,” he said.

“This will all be overseen by the Minister for Geelong. We believe the minister is the right person to have carriage for these projects.

“Unlike the Labor Party, this will be a person from Geelong, in Geelong, located down here to oversee major Geelong projects, and I think that’s very important.”

Mr Guy said he was confident about the Liberal Party’s chances in the seats of Geelong and South Barwon.

“We believe we’ve put realistic commitments to our second largest city that will see it grow and change,” he said.

Mr Guy said he was not concerned about the prospect that Darryn Lyons’s candidacy in Geelong as an independent would hurt the primary vote of Liberal candidate Freya Fidge.

“I think Darryn will take votes from Liberal and Labor,” he said. “I think it’s pretty clear he’ll do both that, but I mean I can’t predict it. No one can. “But we’re backing Freya.” Asked about his views on working with Mr Lyons as a minority government, Mr Guy said he was willing to “work with anyone” elected.

The parties yesterday released policy documents outlining plans for Geelong.

The Liberals’ document focuses on managing population growth and reducing cost of living pressures, while Labor’s plan centres on infrastructure upgrades and tighter planning laws on the Surf Coast and Bellarine Peninsula.

“We’re proud to make this happen, to commit to it, to change this whole precinct — from the library to GPAC OPPOSITION LEADER MATTHEW GUY