The Victorian Labor Party will form government for a fourth consecutive term and face significant pressure from the Greens in the upcoming election, an expert predicts.

Labor will be re-elected and the Greens could hold the balance of power in the Upper House following the November State Election, Monash University Senior Lecturer in Politics, Nick Economou, predicts.

The Greens could win up to four seats and pose more of a threat to the Brumby Government than the Coalition, Dr Economou said.  “The Greens will end up holding the balance of power in the Legislative Council in their own right,” Dr Economou predicts.

The Greens’ primary vote is at a high of 14 per cent, according to the Herald Sun/Galaxy Poll.

Meanwhile, despite cost blowouts for the troubled myki ticketing system and the controversial Wonthaggi desalination plant, Labor leads the Coalition 51-49 on a two-party-preferred basis.

“I think the most likely outcome is a return of the Brumby Government with a reduced majority,” Dr Economou said.

Thirty per cent of people aged 18-25 will vote for the Greens on November 27 while almost one quarter are still undecided, according to a Monash News Survey.

Adequate funding towards environmental issues will help parties gain votes, Environment Victoria CEO, Kelly O’Shanassy, said.

“There are a lot of votes these days [regarding] the environment,” Ms O’Shanassy, said.  “If parties put good, solid environmental policies forward they will win votes.”

Categories: politicsTags: 2010 election, Brumby, Greens, Labor Government, polls, Victoria