{
  "id": 11979249,
  "title": "Three oppositions are contesting Victoria's election. The premier leads one",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/three-oppositions-are-contesting-victorias-election-the-premier-leads",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-04T18:04:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-05/victorias-three-opposition-election-premier-ben-carroll/107226558"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Victoria is experiencing an unusual election campaign with three opposition parties competing to form the government within the next eight weeks. The traditional opposition, led by Jess Wilson's Liberal and National Coalition, is campaigning as oppositions typically do, seeking a referendum on the current government amid the 12-year Labor rule. Despite limited policy details, polls indicate One Nation will likely secure around one-quarter of the state's votes, focusing on law and order, tax relief, and harsh rhetoric against political opponents. Meanwhile, Ben Carroll, the newly elected Labor premier, aims to distance himself from the previous Labor governments led by Daniel Andrews and Jacinta Allan. He aims to steer the election away from a referendum on Labor's three-term legacy. Carroll has promised to reverse land tax hikes of 2023 and has secured backing for a new airport rail station in his Niddrie electorate, despite the project previously being championed by Labor. However, Carroll hasn't set a timeline for the project's completion. The opposition parties' efforts to woo voters are hampered by a lack of substantial policies, leading them to make localized promises to safeguard their seats. At the same time, Labor's popularity has been eroded by corruption allegations and its handling of major infrastructure projects. The public's demand for accountability and action on corruption has been a persistent issue for Labor.",
  "summary": "With voters flocking to One Nation and Premier Ben Carroll doing all he can to distance himself from his predecessors, Victoria is gearing up for an unusual election in eight weeks' time.",
  "key_points": [
    "Three opposition parties contesting Victoria's election",
    "Premier Ben Carroll aims to distance himself from previous Labor governments",
    "Labor's popularity eroded by corruption allegations and infrastructure project handling"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}