What Bendigo's swing against Labor means for Victorian premierBy Shannon SchubertABC Central VictoriaTopic:Australian Federal Elections1h ago1 hours agoSat 10 May 2025 at 12:47amSome residents say dissatisfaction with Victorian Labor could be a reason for a swing against federal Labor. (Supplied: Lisa Chesters)In short: Labor MP Lisa Chesters has retained the seat of Bendigo for a fifth term in a close contest against a first-time Nationals candidate. Labor has attributed the swing to a "cashed-up campaign" by the Nationals.What's next?The Nationals party says the swing in Bendigo has put the heat on Premier Jacinta Allan, who has been the state member for Bendigo East since 1999.abc.net.au/news/bendigo-federal-election-labor-wins-despite-swing-nationals/105257330Link copiedShareShare articleIt was the "safe" Labor seat that took most by surprise.Labor's Lisa Chesters scraped through for a fifth term despite the strongest push away from her party in the nation. Now the Nationals are vowing to target Bendigo in next year's state election.Federal politics live updates: Get the latest on the post-election election landscapeLive results: Find out what's happening in your seat as counting continues"It's a repudiation of the Labor brand and the premier in her own electorate," Victorian Nationals leader Danny O'Brien said this week."The premier should be concerned and Labor should be concerned."Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, who is also the state member for Bendigo East, denied the swing against Labor had anything to do with her."It was a cashed-up [Nationals] campaign," she said.Paul Strangio says the swing in Bendigo should serve as a warning bell. (Supplied)'Deep dissatisfaction' with Labor Emeritus Professor of Politics at Monash University, Paul Strangio, said the swing against federal Labor in Bendigo was a warning bell for the Victorian Labor government and the premier. "Jacinta Allan's government is very unpopular," he said."There is still deep dissatisfaction with the Victorian Labor government and though it wasn't really expressed in the federal election, it is still there waiting for next November's state election."Professor Strangio said it would still be a big task for the Victorian opposition to win state seats such as Bendigo. "There is a deep skepticism in Victoria to the Liberal party," he said.Election fallout and analysis:How Peter Dutton's campaign flew off a cliffWhat happened to the Greens vote in Victoria?ANALYSIS: The Coalition is split on nuclear after election lossWant even more? Here's where you can find all our 2025 federal election coverageCatch the latest interviews and in-depth coverage on ABC iview and ABC ListenIs the premier's seat at risk? Pressure on Ms Allan was rising before the federal election, with polling showing Victorians were fed up with crime and budget blowouts. There have been protests outside her Bendigo electorate office over youth crime, and against the deeply unpopular emergency services levy.Ms Allan said Nationals candidate Andrew Lethlean was also marketed as a quasi-independent candidate, rather than a Coalition one, which likely contributed to his success."The Nationals worked incredibly hard to make sure they had nothing to do with Peter Dutton's Liberal party," she said."I take nothing for granted in holding my seat of Bendigo East — I never have." Ms Allan has been under pressure amid rising community frustration. (ABC News)But some residents in the Bendigo electorate believe frustration with the state's premier did have an impact on the local federal election result."There has been some dissatisfaction with the Labor Premier, Jacinta Allan, in relation to issues like youth crime," local Peter Howitt said. Mr Smith thinks the swing shows some people wanted change. (ABC News)Angus Smith, 33, said the swing reflected the Nationals' big spend on advertising."The Nationals went really hard on advertising. [Andrew] Lethlean has been everywhere," he said.But Mr Smith said there was also a growing appetite for change in the community. "It's a reminder for Labor they really have to put in the effort in the regional areas," he said."You have to remind people you exist and remind people what you do." Mr Lethlean and Ms Chesters were not available to be interviewed.ABC Central Vic —local news in your inboxGet our local newsletter, delivered free each TuesdayYour information is being handled in accordance with the ABC Privacy Collection Statement.Email addressSubscribePosted 1h ago1 hours agoSat 10 May 2025 at 12:47am, updated 1h ago1 hours agoSat 10 May 2025 at 12:50amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top Stories'Third party' vote looks set to beat CoalitionTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows A triangular chart showing an example of some electorates shifting from LNP to 'Other candidates' at the 2025 federal electionTrump says he has a new plan for Gaza. 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