Watch Casey

By Danny Buttler
THE Coalition will be looking to consolidate its power by sweeping Narre Warren South, Narre Warren North and Cranbourne at the 2014 State Election.
Monash University political analyst Nick Economou said the political landscape had shifted dramatically over the past six days.
Labor managed to hold onto the three key seats, despite a massive statewide swing against the ALP.
Dr Economou, who like most political pundits had tipped John Brumby to triumph on Saturday, believes the damage to Labor could have been a lot worse if the south eastern suburbs had not held firm.
“When the swing is against you, holding any seat is important,” he said.
“If Labor had been able to do the same sort of defensive effort in Carrum and Seymour, Brumby would still be Premier.”
The surprise result has left Narre Warren North, Narre Warren South and Cranbourne vulnerable at the 2014 poll.
“There’s a big swing against them which makes these seats the more marginal ones and, presumably, ripe for the picking for the Liberals at the next election,” Dr Economou said.
Liberal candidate for Cranbourne Geoff Ablett said he was not surprised at the massive swing towards the Coalition from what he had picked up in the community.
“A lot of people came up to me and said I’ve never voted Liberal before, but this time I am,” Mr Ablett said.
Liberal candidate for Narre Warren North Michelle Frazer said she thought people in Casey felt neglected by the Labor Party. “There was a major swing and I think it’s because people want change,” she said.
The new marginal status of the three seats means that the government is likely to throw cash at the electorates while the opposition will be promising the world in a bid to hold onto these vital electorates.
“This is now ultra marginal territory,” Dr Economou said. “All of the seats you have mentioned are ripe for the picking, so it is really exciting times ahead for the citizens of Narre Warren North, Narre Warren South and Cranbourne.”
Dr Economou said major promises made by the Liberals during the election campaign would almost certainly be kept.
“They’ll be delivered,” he said.
“Baillieu will not want a one seat or two seat majority next time – he’ll want a 15 seat majority. To get that he is going to need to win these seats, which I think he will. Going by past history, those seats will fall at the next election.”