Story perspectives

Steve Bracks says voters want change before November

By Drooid · Oct 18, 2026, 11:58 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Bracks Calls Change

Former Victorian premier Steve Bracks said voters want change before the November election.
He told a Property Council lunch in Melbourne that Victoria is not a One Nation state.
Bracks linked the desire for change to the Labor government’s 12-year rule.
Both Bracks and former premier Ted Baillieu said they are happy not to run in November.

Summary

Ardern Sits Left

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she sits to the left of former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott conceded he sits further left than Barnaby Joyce after Peter FitzSimons prompted him.
John Buckley reported the rugby-themed charity lunch occurred in Sydney on Friday.
Jacinda Ardern joked about a straw poll on rugby positions, noting backs receive glory for less work.

Summary

Motton Attends Cup

Nathan Motton attended the Caulfield Cup Day event.
He previously served as media director for Premier Dan Andrews and chief media spinner for ex-premier Jacinta Allan.
Motton left the premier’s office after Allan stepped down in July.
He was spotted in an invitation-only room, suggesting ties to Racing Victoria.
No official comment has been released about his presence at the event.

History

Historical Context

On 2 March 1996 the Liberal-National Coalition led by John Howard defeated Paul Keating’s Labor government, ending a 13-year rule and winning 94 House seats—a 45-seat majority, the second-largest after the 1975 Fraser landslide. The 1996 pivot, driven by coordinated media messaging, is echoed today as former Victorian premiers Steve Bracks and Ted Baillieu join strategist Nathan Motton to signal another potential electoral shift.

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Bracks Calls Change

Former Victorian premier Steve Bracks said voters want change before the November election.
He told a Property Council lunch in Melbourne that Victoria is not a One Nation state.
Bracks linked the desire for change to the Labor government’s 12-year rule.
Both Bracks and former premier Ted Baillieu said they are happy not to run in November.

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