History for Andrews, while Guy exits again

AS Daniel Andrews strolled into the history books, Matthew Guy quietly made the call to walk away from the Liberal leadership after another Victorian election drubbing.

Labor is on track to win more than 51 of the 88 seats in the lower house after Saturday’s poll, six more than the number required to govern in majority.

The coalition is projected to win at least 25 seats after starting the count with 27 and the Greens a minimum of four.

Several seats remained too close to call as of printing, although Labor was predicted to win or was ahead in five of those.

If it takes all five, Labor will finish one seat ahead of the ‘Danslide’ 2018 election victory result despite a plunge in primary vote and double-digit swings against it in Melbourne’s north and west.

The result marks the second time Mr Guy has led the coalition to an election drubbing, spelling an end to his time in the top job.

After making no mention of his future in Saturday night’s concession speech, the Liberal leader announced he would not continue in the role via a statement the next day.

“As soon as it is clearer which Liberal Party candidates will form the next parliamentary party room, I will call them together to elect their new leadership team,” Mr Guy said.

A sleep-deprived Mr Andrews fronted the cameras shortly before Mr Guy’s decision was revealed and vowed to govern for all Victorians after a bitter campaign.

“Our politics may well be divided, but our community is united,” he said. “Whether you voted for us or not, we’ll work hard and get things done.”

The Premier, who made a catchphrase of “get on the beers” during Victoria’s COVID-19 lockdowns, said he marked the election win with a few glasses of wine.

“I did not get on the beers but many others did, which I thoroughly endorse,” he said.

Victorian Labor’s grip on government will now extend for another four years after holding power for 19 of the last 23.

The Premier equalled Steve Bracks and John Cain by leading the party to three successive state election triumphs.

Mr Andrews, who is also set to become the state’s longest-serving Labor premier next year, said former Liberal prime minister John Howard got it wrong when he branded Victoria the “Massachusetts of Australia” over its left-leaning tendencies.

“Massachusetts is the Victoria of the United States, be very clear about that,” he said.

The Premier confirmed Victorian parliament would return before the end of the year and hinted at potential election reform after ugly scenes at voting centres.

The Greens, meanwhile, are likely to win at least one extra inner-Melbourne seat, which leader Samantha Ratnam described as a “Greenslide”.

The party is well ahead of Labor in Richmond but is expected to lose in Northcote after leading Labor on election night.

Ms Ratnam said the Greens were still on track to double their representation in parliament and hold the balance of power in the upper house.

It appears the Liberals could fend off teal independent candidates across Melbourne after leadership possibility John Pesutto pulled ahead of Melissa Lowe as postal ballots rolled in.

Labor lost the Mornington Peninsula seat of Nepean to the Liberals, but gained Glen Waverley and was ahead in Hastings.

Covering up for the Liberals’ blushes, the Nationals picked up Shepparton, Mildura and Morwell in regional Victoria from country independents.

– BY CALLUM GODDE/ AAP