MELBOURNE, 14 November 2023: A by-election is being held in the Mulgrave District on Saturday 18 November to elect a new member of Parliament, after the resignation of Victorian Premier, The Hon. Daniel Andrews. Early voting is on at two centres in Nobel Park and Mulgrave.
Labor candidate Eden Foster, 42, born to Indian single mother, clinical psychologist and Mayor of Greater Dandenong Council, is likely to cruise towards victory in this safe ALP seat. Independent Ian Cook was last time second in the primary vote, delegating the Liberal candidate to the third place. John Pusseto, leader of opposition who was himself present on the first day of early polling at Mulgrave, the by-election is crucial for his party’s future, though the result will not impact party positions in the House.
Daniel Andrews held this seat for 20 years and in the 2022 election got 51 per cent first preference votes (19,365) against Ian Cook, Independent’s (18.01 % or 6,838 1st preference votes), and the Liberal Michael Piastrino got 17.19 % or 6,528 1st preference votes.
After two party preferred vote in 2022 Daniel Andrews got 22,976 votes (60.20 %) and Liberal Michael Piastrino got 39.80% (15,191 votes). A second preference was not necessary as Daniel Andrews got achieved an absolute majority before all or any preferences were distributed. The preferential count was done later for information and statistical purposes, says the Victorian Electoral Commission.
There are ten candidates in the contest. The 32-year-old Liberal candidate Courtney Mann, says in his site, “will fight for the Mulgrave electorate to help fix the local neglect of health, education and transport.” And, charges Labor has racked up record debt and taxes. The Greens candidate is Rohonda Garad, Dandenong Councillor says, “”Families, both young and old, are cutting back on meals and missing out on the things they need. And renters are constantly worried about the next rent rise.”
Eden Foster, can be seen actively handing out campaign material at early voting centres, looks cheerful and confident.
At the her campaign launch Eden Foster, talked of her being firmly embedded in the community with whom she has lived her whole life with her mum and later as Councillor and Mayor. I know the everyday costs for families, she says. This is her main issue, along with education, health and infrastructure.
Over 47,000 people in Mulgrave District are expected to vote in the upcoming by-election after the roll closed on Monday 30 October, with a final enrolment number of 47,142, says the Victorian Electoral Commission.
