The latest Newspoll in Victoria makes stark reading for the Libs. It suggests not much has changed since Steve Bracks’ thumping win over then new-boy Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu in 2006. At the election, Labor won about 54.5% of the vote after the distribution of preferences. In the July-August Newspoll, Labor garnered 54%.

The poll comes at a time when the Government is forging ahead with several controversial infrastructure projects, such as the north-south pipeline, the desalination plant and the dredging of Port Phillip Bay. It has also been caught out badly on providing sufficient public transport for rapidly growing Melbourne.