NATION Libs reel as Labor smashes Vic vote
DANIEL Andrews has hit the ground running on day one of his second term as Victorian premier.
Labor experienced a swing of about 6 per cent and could end up with a majority of 16 in the 88- seat Parliament following Saturday’s ballot. It was a result that shocked even the winners.
Mr Andrews has put the Labor victory down to a progressive and positive agenda and a bold infrastructure plan. He expects voters will see the same thing in federal Labor Leader Bill Shorten when he fights new Prime Minister Scott Morrison at next year’s general election, due by May.
“( Federal Labor will) campaign hard right across the country to get that precious gift, the opportunity not just to defeat our opponent, but to have the responsibility and the opportunity to make our nation better,” he told ABC TV. Pressure is building for change in the state Liberal Party at both the parliamentary and organisational levels.
The future of Opposition Leader Matthew Guy ( inset) is under a cloud after he led the Liberals to a traumatic defeat where it lost some of its traditional strongholds.
The Liberals could end up with just 22 seats, while the Nationals will have six. The Coalition went into the election with 37 seats.
Mr Guy called for unity while conceding defeat on Sat- urday, but he gave no indication on whether he would stay on as Opposition Leader, or even remain in Parliament.
Former Liberal premier Jeff Kennett called for heads to roll, including that of Victorian party president Michael Kroger.
At least two senior Victorian federal Liberal MPs – Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Health Minister Greg Hunt – have refused to dump on Mr Kroger and have called for unity as the next federal election looms.
“I think we should avoid that level of finger pointing now,” Mr Frydenberg told 3AW yesterday.
The Greens, who fancied a balance- of- power role, also failed to win more seats, and lost Northcote after less than a term, leaving it with just two wins.
Mr Andrews has been quick to get back to work, with his second- term Labor Government promising to deliver more road and rail and plans to borrow $ 25 billion for it, doubling net debt to 12 per cent of gross state product.