In Labor’s grip

GREATER Dandenong will remain a Labor heartland after the 7 September Federal Election, according to a leading political scientist.
Monash University’s Nick Economou said Isaacs, Hotham and Bruce were historically safe Australian Labor Party (ALP) seats and were unlikely to change party hands.
Isaacs takes in Dandenong South, Keysborough and part of Noble Park and Dr Economou said the Kevin Rudd revival had all but dashed hopes of a Liberal upset to oust Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus.
“Funnily enough that was one that they thought they might lose and might have caused Gillard to lose the leadership,” Dr Economou said.
The Liberal Party’s Garry Spencer and Green Sandra Miles will also contest the seat.
Dr Economou said it was a similar story in Bruce, where it seemed the demise of Australia’s first female Prime Minister had been a bonus for Labor incumbent Alan Griffin.
“He would have been vulnerable to the Liberals winning if Gillard had stayed, but with Rudd as leader it is a Labor retain,” Dr Economou said.
Mr Griffin will be facing off against Green Lynette Keleher, Liberal Party candidate Emanuele Chicchiello and Geraldine Gonsalvez for the Democratic Labor Party.
The seat takes in Dandenong North, Noble Park North and parts of Dandenong, Noble Park and Springvale.
In Hotham, Geoff Lake will look to retain the seat for the ALP following stalwart Simon Crean’s resignation.
“Labor will Hotham,” Dr Economou said.
“Geoff Lake has a pretty good reputation around the place and that time in local government will help him.”
Liberal Fazal Cader will put his hand up for the electorate that includes Springvale South and parts of Keysborough, Noble Park and Springvale, as will Green Lorna Wyatt.
Dr Economou said the questions being asked in Melbourne’s South East would be the same being asked in suburbs across Australia on polling day.
“What are you going to do about the economy, what are you going to do about border security?” he said.
“They will just look at these things and respond and vote accordingly.”