Liberals Claim Victorian By-election After One Nation Wins One-Quarter of Primary Vote

One Nation’s Darren Hercus secured second place in the primary vote with 24.7 percent.

People cast their vote for the seat of Nepean during the 2026 Nepean By-Election in Melbourne, Australia, on May 2, 2026. AAP Image/Ian Currie

The centre-right Liberal Party have claimed victory in the Nepean by-election with the help of preferences in a likely preview of what to expect in the Victorian state election in November.

As counting continued in the Mornington Peninsula seat of Nepean—a Liberal Party stronghold—candidate Anthony Marsh appeared to be in a lead position in a positive for Opposition Leader Jess Wilson.