THE POLL BLUDGER
Victorian Legislative Assembly Election 2006
THOMASTOWN
Labor 31.8%
| Region | Northern Metropolitan |
| Federal | Scullin/Wills/Batman |
| Candidates | Peter Batchelor (Labor) Jen Hargrave (Greens) Simon Coles (Liberal) Tim Rebbechi (Family First) |
| Click here for VEC electorate profile | |
Thomastown includes northern Melbourne suburbs from Fawkner out to Lalor. Former party state secretary Peter Batchelor (right) became member in February 1990 after the death of sitting member Beth Gleeson, holding off a 14 per cent swing in a by-election held at the height of the tram strike. Batchelor has since picked up a swing at each subsequent election, to the point where it is now the state's safest. A member of the Socialist Left faction, Batchelor became Shadow Minister for Public Transport upon the defeat of the Kirner government in October 1992, switching to transport proper after the 1996 election. He has maintained the latter portfolio throughout the period of the Bracks government; major projects was added from 2002 until 2005, when it was transferred to John Lenders amid criticism of project delays and cost blowouts.
ASSESSMENT: Labor retain