Victorian Labor and Greens Clash Over Preferences in Key Seats 2026

The Victorian Labor Party and the Greens are locked in a bitter dispute over preference deals ahead of the 28 November state election, with each accusing the other of striking a "dodgy deal" that could help the Liberals and One Nation win key seats. The fight escalated after the Greens announced they would not direct preferences to Labor in 15 electorates, retaliating against Labor's decision to run an open ticket in the inner-Melbourne seat of Prahran.

The war of words has put the spotlight on how preferences could decide the election outcome, with both parties warning that the other's actions risk handing government to a Liberal-One Nation coalition.

What Sparked the Preference Fight?

The conflict began on Tuesday when Labor decided to run an open ticket in Prahran, a seat the Greens had been hoping to win back with Labor's help. Prahran is held by the Liberals on a razor-thin 1.3% margin after the Greens lost it in a 2025 byelection.

Labor's move means it will not recommend preferences to the Greens in Prahran, effectively leaving voters to decide their own preferences. The Greens had been counting on Labor's preferences to reclaim the seat.

In response, the Greens confirmed on Friday that they would only direct voters to number the Greens first and One Nation last across 15 electorates, withholding preferences from Labor in those seats.

Accusations Fly Between Labor and Greens

The Greens' decision drew an immediate rebuke from Labor, which accused the party of helping the Liberals and One Nation. A Labor spokesperson said: "In one of the most consequential elections in Victoria's history – the Greens have done a dodgy deal to help elect a Liberal-One Nation government. This is unforgivable and Victorians won't forget it's Ellen Sandell and the Greens to blame when Jess Wilson is premier."

The Greens had earlier levelled a similar accusation at Labor, with Victorian Greens leader Ellen Sandell describing Labor's open ticket in Prahran as "unforgivable" and warning it could hand the election to a Liberal-One Nation coalition.

Each party is now using the other's language against them, creating a political stalemate that could have serious consequences for progressive voters.

Why Preferences Matter in Victoria

Victoria uses a preferential voting system, meaning voters rank candidates in order of preference. In close seats, the flow of preferences from eliminated candidates can determine the winner.

In inner-city seats like Prahran, the Greens and Labor often compete for the same progressive voters, and preferences can be decisive. By not directing preferences to each other, both parties risk splitting the progressive vote and allowing the Liberals to win.

The stakes are particularly high in Prahran, where the Liberal margin is just 1.3%. A small shift in preferences could easily tip the seat.

The Broader Political Context

The dispute comes amid rising tensions between Labor and the Greens, who have clashed over issues such as housing, climate policy, and the handling of the pandemic. The preference fight is a sign of deepening divisions on the left.

At the same time, One Nation is seeking to capitalise on any conservative swing, and both major parties are wary of inadvertently boosting its chances. The Greens' decision to put One Nation last in 15 seats is a clear attempt to distance themselves from the far-right party.

Labor, meanwhile, is trying to position itself as the only party capable of forming a stable government and keeping One Nation out of power.

Key Takeaways for Voters

• Labor and the Greens are trading accusations of "dodgy deals" over preferences in the Victorian election.
• The Greens will not direct preferences to Labor in 15 electorates, including Prahran.
• Labor's open ticket in Prahran means it will not recommend preferences to the Greens there.
• Both parties claim the other's actions could help elect a Liberal-One Nation government.
• The dispute risks splitting the progressive vote in key inner-city seats.

Seat-by-Seat Impact

The preference fight is likely to have the most significant impact in inner-Melbourne seats where the Greens and Labor are in close contest. Prahran is the flashpoint, but other seats could also be affected.

The table below summarises the key seats and the preference stance of each party.

It is unclear which other 14 electorates the Greens are referring to, but they are likely to include marginal seats where Labor is hoping for Green preferences.

What to Watch Next

With the election just weeks away, both parties will be under pressure to clarify their preference strategies. The Greens may face questions about whether their stance risks handing seats to the Liberals.

Labor, meanwhile, will need to defend its open ticket in Prahran and explain how it plans to win back the seat without Green preferences.

Voters in affected seats should pay close attention to how-to-vote cards and preference recommendations, as these could determine the outcome.

The preference clash is also likely to feature in campaign messaging, with each party seeking to portray the other as irresponsible.

For a deeper look at how preference deals are reshaping Victorian politics, see our analysis of the Victorian Liberals' One Nation preference deal, which has already shaken up key seats. The Greens' decision not to direct preferences to Labor in 15 electorates has drawn comparisons to that deal, with critics arguing it could similarly benefit the conservatives. The background to this story is set out in Victorian Election: Cost Pressures Threaten Labor Heartland. A related thread runs through Australian Unions Turn on Labor Ahead of Victorian Election.

Meanwhile, One Nation's James Ashby has denied claims of a preference deal with Labor in Victoria, adding another layer of complexity to the unfolding saga. As reported in our coverage of Ashby's denial, the minor party is keen to distance itself from any arrangement that could be seen as backroom dealing. Earlier coverage in Victorian Labor Puts Abortion Access on Election Agenda shows how the argument developed. A closer look at the same subject appears in Socialist Teachers Target Victorian Labor MPs in State Election.

The broader political landscape has also been unsettled by recent events, including the discovery of unmarked graves and a controversial plan to nationalise supermarkets, which we covered in our Australia news roundup. These issues are likely to influence voter sentiment in the final weeks of the campaign. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Victorian Labor's Union Trust Crisis Threatens Election Campaign.