The Prahran Byelection is likely to be decided on preferences.
With 11 people running but no Labor candidate, the 25% that previously voted Labor are searching for a first preference. The Liberals and Greens, both with fresh candidates, are the pundits favourites.
But who are the other 9 candidates and how will there vote influence the outcome? We’ve divided them into for categories to help you navigate your choice.
A message in a ballot
There’s no shortage of candidates running to make a point and send a message to the ultimate winner about their issue.
Top of this list is Faith Fuhrer from the Animal Justice Party. Her pitch is vote for me if you care about animals and direct your preference to the Greens. Animal Justice got over 3% in 2022.
Family First campaigner Geneviève Gilbert is running to give the conservative faithful a cosy home for their vote. Her second preference goes to Jewish Libertarian Mark Dessau, her last to the Greens. Family First earned 1.6% in 2022.
Mark Dessau in turn has directed his preferences to Gilbert and nominated the Greens as his last.
Alan Menadue, a repeat candidate, is concerned about lowering business taxes. He’s not directing preferences. He got 1.14% of the vote in 2022.
Dennis Bilic is the classic Sustainable Australia candidate. Concerned about over development, cares for the environment and is keen to stop corruption. He’s in the field to give like minded people a place to park their vote in positive protest. He’s not directing preferences.
In it to win it independents
Tony Lupton, former Labor MLA for Prahran (2002 – 2010) has resigned from the ALP to stand as an independent. Proudly backed by Steve Bracks, Tony is emphasising his unique blend of ‘independence’ and connection to Labor. He’s done an interesting preference swap with the Liberals – if he can secure more votes than the Liberal candidate, he could win on her preferences. Of course, she might win on his! Anyhow, they both preference the Greens last.
Janine Hendry is a first-time candidate. She has a touch of the TEAL about here, if only in the choice of colors on the brochures. Worldly, academic, high achiever with a heartfelt back story. TWiSK suspects this is a trial run for a dash for federal parliament in the future. She’s preferencing Buzz Billman and putting Family First last.
Buzz Billman has run for parliament many times before, both for Labor and the Greens. He’s also a train driver, actor and political animal. He told TWiSK that he might have made his run too late, but he might start getting ready for 2026! No surprises, he’s directing preferences to Hendry and putting Family First last.
Nathan Chisholm is perhaps too cool for school (sorry that was a cheap joke). He’s currently the Principal for Prahran High School. Sharp, well presented, high achiever, he told TWiSK he’s ready to do more. As founding principal of a new state school, he’s got real connections in the community. Nathan is not directing preferences.
Top contenders – every vote counts
Greens Angelica Di Camillo and Liberal Rachael Westaway are throwing everything at the campaign. Strong door knocking campaigns, multiple letterbox drops, very polished pitches and good campaign advice.
Greens insiders have told TWiSK that the loss of Sam Hibbins and the circumstances haven’t come up much on the door knocking. They are confident the cost of living and housing crisis is cutting through, and climate is bubbling away in the background. They will be hoping for a primary vote in the high 30% plus range. But where will the ALP vote go?
Liberal Rachael Westaway is also making the winning moves. She’ll be hoping for a Battin boost blended with a jaded drift from Jacinta Allan. Rachael says the feedback from door knocking is very big on community safety, which is a Liberal strong suite, plus cost of living. A small primary boost and a preference flow from conservatives and non-Greens will be enough to win.
Video of TWiSK Prahran candidate forum
Preferences 101: Voters must number every square on their ballot, in this case from 1 to 11. After all the 1st preference votes are counted, the candidate with the least votes is put aside and their votes got to their 2nd choice. This is repeated until a candidate gets 50% plus one of the votes – they are the winner. Any ballots without all the boxes numbered or with numbers repeated or left out gets ruled invalid.
