Victoria’s Labor and Liberal parties will launch their campaigns on Sunday, with Premier Ben Carroll due on stage in Moonee Ponds at 11.20am and Liberal leader Jess Wilson expected to speak at The Glasshouse on Olympic Boulevard at 12.10pm, as the state election enters its final fortnight.
The launches come after the parties’ vehicles travelled around the state: Carroll’s “big red bus” and the Liberals’ “Jess Express” have been on the road since the government entered caretaker mode on the evening of November 3, when the governor-general issued the writ.
The late timing of the launches is a matter of convention: government ministers do not claim travel and political vehicle allowances after a campaign is launched, except for travel related to their specific duties as cabinet ministers. Launching later has allowed ministers to use these entitlements until very close to the opening of early voting on November 18. Sunday also tends to be the best day for maximum media coverage, which both parties want before voting begins in earnest.
The election could be unprecedented on several fronts. Labor could win a fourth term for the first time after 12 years in government, while a Liberal win would make Jess Wilson Victoria’s first elected female premier. Ben Carroll became premier in July after ousting Jacinta Allan, Daniel Andrews’ successor. In his first speech as premier, he said, “I am not Daniel Andrews, I am not Jacinta Allan.” Jess Wilson became Liberal leader in November 2025 after successfully challenging Brad Battin, becoming the fifth Victorian Liberal leader in six years. She was the first millennial leader elected by the party. Her father, Ron Wilson, was also a state Liberal MP.
The Greens and One Nation held their campaign launches in October.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The election could break long-held patterns: a fourth Labor term or the first female elected premier would be historic for Victoria.
- One Nation's rising popularity, noted in the sources, adds a wildcard to a contest where Labor and the Coalition are the main players.
- The campaign launch conventions affect how parties deploy resources in the final weeks, particularly the use of travel allowances before early voting opens.
Background
Labor has governed Victoria since 2014 under three premiers: Daniel Andrews, Jacinta Allan and now Ben Carroll. The Coalition has been in opposition for 12 years, a period marked by frequent leadership changes. Jess Wilson became the Liberals' fifth leader in six years when she won the party leadership in November 2025. The election is on November 28, with early voting starting November 18.
Key Perspectives
What to Watch
- Early voting opens on Wednesday, November 18, which will give an early indication of voter turnout and preferences.
- The Sunday campaign launches will set the tone and key messages for both Labor and Liberal in the final two weeks.
- One Nation's performance, especially in seats where it is drawing support from former Labor voters, could affect the balance of power.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
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- SupportedLabor and Liberal were set to launch their campaigns on Sunday, less than two weeks before the November 28 vote.The Age - Latest News: “The Victorian Labor Party, headed by current Premier Ben Carroll, will launch its campaign on Sunday morning in Moonee Ponds. ... The Victorian Liberal Party will launch its campaign on Sunday too”
- SupportedBen Carroll was due on stage in Moonee Ponds at 11.20am.The Age - Latest News: “He is due on stage at 11.20am.”
- SupportedJess Wilson was expected to speak at The Glasshouse on Olympic Boulevard at 12.10pm.The Age - Latest News: “leader Jess Wilson expected to speak at 12.10pm at The Glasshouse on Olympic Boulevard.”
- SupportedThe government entered caretaker mode on the evening of November 3, when the governor-general issued the writ.The Age - Latest News: “Victoria’s government has been in caretaker mode since the evening of November 3, the night that the governor-general issued the writ declaring when the election will take place.”
- SupportedCarroll’s big red bus and the Liberals’ Jess Express travelled around the state after caretaker mode began.The Age - Latest News: “Since then, Ben Carroll’s big red bus and the Liberals’ Jess Express have been gallivanting around the state trying to drum up support for their cause ahead of election day.”
- SupportedGovernment ministers do not claim travel or political vehicle allowances after a campaign launch, except for travel related to their specific cabinet duties.The Age - Latest News: “Government ministers do not claim travel or political vehicle allowances after the campaign is launched, except for any travel related to their specific duties as a cabinet minister.”
- SupportedLaunching later allowed ministers to use vehicles and travel entitlements until very close to the opening of early voting on November 18.The Age - Latest News: “Launching the campaign later in the piece has allowed ministers to use these vehicles and travel entitlements right until very close to the opening of early voting (Wednesday, November 18).”
- SupportedSunday tends to be the best day for maximum media coverage, which both parties want before voting begins in earnest.The Age - Latest News: “Sunday also tends to be the best day for maximum media coverage, which both parties want before voting begins in earnest.”
- SupportedLabor could win a fourth term for the first time after 12 years in government.The Age - Latest News: “After 12 years in government and three Labor premiers, there is a distinct mood for change in the air. ... the potential for a first-ever fourth-term win for Labor”
- SupportedIf the Liberals win, Jess Wilson would be Victoria’s first elected female premier.The Age - Latest News: “the first-ever female elected premier of Victoria if Liberal Jess Wilson wins”
- SupportedBen Carroll became premier in July after Jacinta Allan, Daniel Andrews’ successor, was ousted.The Age - Latest News: “Ben Carroll became premier in July after ousting Daniel Andrews’ successor, Jacinta Allan.”
- SupportedIn his first speech as premier, Ben Carroll said, “I am not Daniel Andrews, I am not Jacinta Allan.”The Age - Latest News: “in which he bluntly declared “I am not Daniel Andrews, I am not Jacinta Allan”.”