Victorian Greens criticize Labor’s open‑ticket strategy in Prahran ahead of state election

The Victorian Greens have publicly condemned the Australian Labor Party’s choice to run an open ticket in the electorate of Prahran for the upcoming state election, arguing that the lack of directed preferences may benefit the Liberal Party and the right‑wing One Nation party. Greens leader Ellen Sandell described the move as “frankly unforgivable” and said it shows Labor’s “true colours”.

Prahran, an inner‑south Melbourne seat currently held by Liberal MP Rachel Westaway, was won from the Greens in a 2025 by‑election after Labor did not field a candidate. The Greens suffered a 13.4 per cent swing toward the Liberals in that contest. Sandell warned that without Labor’s preference guidance, voters who support the Greens could see their votes flow to the Liberals or One Nation, potentially influencing the balance of power in a closely contested election.

Labor’s how‑to‑vote card for Prahran will list its own candidate, Meghan Hopper, in the first position but will leave the remaining preference boxes blank, according to the party’s statements. A Labor spokesperson said the party’s message is to “put a 1 next to Labor candidates everywhere” and that the open‑ticket arrangement was requested by local candidates in both Prahran and the neighbouring seat of Caulfield.

The Greens also highlighted the candidacy of Angelica Di Camillo, a progressive local candidate who ran in the 2025 by‑election, noting that Labor’s decision not to preference her could further disadvantage the Greens. Sandell suggested that the outcome in Prahran could be decisive for the state’s political direction, especially if a One Nation member holds the balance of power after the election.

Labor’s approach mirrors a similar strategy used in the 2025 federal election for the overlapping seat of Macnamara, where the party also ran an open ticket amid heightened political tensions. The Greens continue to call for Labor to issue a clear preference recommendation to support progressive candidates in the seat.