Backing a horse in Victoria's election is no simple task

The Victorian Labor government entered a caretaker period this week, as Premier Ben Carroll participated in mock debates with no opponents, while the campaign hit the road with a large red bus. However, new polling showed Labor on track for a significant election loss, while the Coalition, led by Opposition Leader Jess Wilson, is poised to return to government for the first time since 2014.

The opposition's strategy involves targeting specific areas to avoid any slip and let voters focus on the government's issues. This came after Labor backtracked on its promise to pause and review the Suburban Rail Loop, which cost $1 billion to halt, leading to a Coalition clarification that no new contracts would be signed during the review.

The opposition was criticized for failing to deliver on this promise amid the revelation of its cost. A notable policy blunder occurred when Wilson was unavailable to explain the change of track during a press conference, marking a significant setback for the campaign. Despite these challenges, Wilson remains the opposition's chief face, appealing to health workers and promising to upgrade roads.

The opposition's stance on handling the unpredictable nature of the campaign and the potential impact of One Nation, which has attracted at least one in five voters, will be crucial in determining the election's outcome.