Melbourne, October 13, 2026: Labor’s Eden Foster, the MP who succeeded three-time premier Daniel Andrews, has launched her campaign to retain the seat of Mulgrave at the Noble Park RSL.
The seat is shaping as a four-cornered contest, with Foster facing Liberal candidate Charles Tran, One Nation’s Cody Rebbechi and independent Ian Cook, among other candidates.
A narrowed Labor margin
Foster was elected to Greater Dandenong City Council in 2020 and served as mayor from November 2022 to November 2023. At the Mulgrave by-election triggered by Daniel Andrews’ resignation, she secured 40.18 per cent of first-preference votes and won with a 6.49 per cent margin — a significant fall from Andrews’ 10.2 per cent margin at the 2022 election.
Her campaign launch was attended by campaign workers, Labor MPs and supporters. Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Gabriel Williams described how a traditional two-party contest is this time a three-way contest. And, attacked One Nation, arguing that a vote for the Liberals could ultimately help the far-right party gain influence.
Foster warns of four-way contest
Soft-spoken and smiling, Foster told supporters that Mulgrave faced a four-way contest involving Labor, the Liberals, One Nation and independent Ian Cook — unlike the broader three-way contest across Victoria.
She said the crowded field had already produced considerable negativity, and spoke about her experiences as a person of colour.
Labor’s long hold on Mulgrave
Foster won Mulgrave for Labor at the November 2023 by-election following Andrews’ resignation. Labor has held the seat since 2002, but the party has never won four consecutive terms in Victoria — a historical hurdle it now faces statewide.
Mulgrave has a large multicultural population that has traditionally supported Labor. However, One Nation’s entry and the strength of Ian Cook’s independent campaign — as demonstrated at the by-election — add to the emerging challenge.
Labor appears aware of the threats but remains confident that Foster can hold the seat.
