Australia news LIVE: Federal Labor downplays Victorian byelection results; Women’s health package to subsidise HRT, contraception

Federal Labor is arguing the Victorian byelection results are not a sign of things to come in the 2025 federal election, as Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek points to the fact that most of the voters that moved away from Labor did not switch to the Liberals.

The long-held Labor seat of Werribee is still too close to call, but of the current swing against Labor or around 16 per cent, the Liberals have picked up only 4 per cent.

“I think one of the interesting things about this result is that while there was a significant drop in the Labor vote, most of it didn’t go to the Liberals. It’s gone to the ‘none of the above’ category”, Plibersek told Seven’s Sunrise.

“Of course, that’s something that we need to work on. That’s why we are so absolutely focused on taking pressure off the cost of living,” she said.

Plibersek continued that the Australian public knew Peter Dutton was the real risk to the cost of living.

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Also on the panel was Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce, who said the government were focusing on peripheral issues.

“If you lose sight of the major issues such as cost of living, then people are not going to vote for you,” Joyce said.

Targeting the government’s climate change and energy policies, Joyce said that “ideas” were more important to Labor than making sure people can pay for fuel, power and groceries.

Plibersek interrupted: “What’s your plan for cost of living? What’s your plan for cost of living? Barnaby. Nuclear power in 2040 is not a cost of living plan. It’s a fantasy.”

“Your fantasy is you’re closing down the coal-fired power stations,” Joyce replied.