THE POLL BLUDGER
Victorian Legislative Assembly Election 2006

CAULFIELD
Liberal 2.3%

Located in Melbourne's inner southern suburbs, the electorate of Caulfield has existed since 1927 and has never been held by Labor (although an "Independent Socialist" with links to the party held the seat from 1943 to 1945). Despite the current thin margin, the seat recorded relatively modest swings to Labor of 4.9 per cent in 2002 and 0.8 per cent in 1999. Helen Shardey (left) became member in 1996 and was elevated to the front bench following the 1999 election defeat, handling portfolios including aged care, multicultural affairs, housing and community affairs before her promotion to Shadow Health Minister in December 2005. Shardey is reportedly from the moderate wing of the party, as indicated when she crossed the floor to vote against a Nationals amendment to the contentious Racial and Religious Tolerance Bill. Labor's candidate is Steve Cusworth (right), chief-of-staff to outgoing Community Services Minister Sherryl Garbutt. Cusworth made the news in June when it was claimed he dismissed a ministerial adviser for being pregnant and retrenched an administrative assistant due to fears she would engage in 'pillow talk' with her husband, a member of the Liberal Party.

ASSESSMENT: Liberal retain