Voters in Melbourne‘s south-east have headed to the polls to elect a replacement for former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews.
The seat of Mulgrave is a safe Labor seat, where Andrews was elected in six consecutive elections.
The result of the by-election will signal a change as the incoming member will be the first new MP for the seat in 20 years.
Premier Jacinta Allan was on hand on Saturday morning to help Labor’s candidate Eden Foster win some extra votes.
Foster, a former local mayor and psychologist, is one of 10 candidates campaigning for the seat.
“We do know from history that by-elections for governments can be challenging,” Allan said.
The poll has attracted heightened interest as it is considered to be a test for the leadership of Allan along with Liberal leader John Pesutto.
“I think there’s a bit of an ‘it’s time’ factor, believe it or not,” Pesutto said.
“A fatigue with rising costs of living and taxes.”
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The Liberal Party’s candidate in the by-election is Courtney Mann, who is a 38-year-old political advisor.
When Andrews was elected in the seat last year his margin was 10.2 per cent but some are expecting a swing against the government in this by-election.
Independent candidate Ian Cook is a contender for the seat after he finished second ahead of the Liberal Party last year.
Cook said he is hoping to close the gap further today.
“I got very footsore doing door knocking. But it was interesting and it keeps amazing me how many people recognise me,” he said.
“It is humbling. People really like the idea that I will represent them first, not a party first.”
More than 47,000 people are registered to vote and it is expected a result will be known on Saturday evening.
