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Coalition fights on despite poll

Victoria’s premier says every vote in every seat will count in a tight election race, despite yet another bad poll for the coalition.

A Fairfax Ipsos poll has Labor ahead 56 per cent to 44 per cent on a two-party preferred basis, continuing the trend of previous polls.

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But with both parties on the same primary vote, Premier Denis Napthine says the race is closer than it looks.

“I think this will be a tough, tight close election and I think every vote will count in every seat,” Dr Napthine told reporters on Friday.

Victorian premier Denis Napthine

Victorian Premier Denis Napthine. Photo: AAP

Treasurer Michael O’Brien ridiculed the poll’s prediction the Greens would get 16 per cent of the primary vote.

“If I was wearing a hat, I’d happily volunteer to eat it if the Greens got anywhere near that sort of primary vote,” he told reporters.

“It’s just not going to happen.

“Those poll numbers do not reflect anything like what we’re seeing and no political professional is taking them seriously.”

Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews would not be drawn on the poll – yet another positive one for Labor.

“I have one fundamental obligation and that is to give every Victorian a clear choice on the 29th of November,” he told reporters.

The Fairfax Ipsos poll was mostly taken before the Liberal campaign launch last Sunday, where Dr Napthine promised $3.9 billion for trains and trams over 10 years and $100 yearly rebates for parents of four-year-old children in kindergarten.

AAP

Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews. Photo: AAP

A Herald Sun/Seven News survey also published on Friday shows 66 per cent of voters disagree with Labor’s policy to dump the East West Link, while 34 per cent agree with it.

Mr Andrews said the costings for Labor’s election commitments would be released in due course after Mr O’Brien demanded to see the numbers.

“Moore Stephens, a very well-respected global accounting firm, are looking and are costing and signing off on all the commitments we’ve made,” Mr Andrews said.

Mr O’Brien said Labor had made $32 billion in promises without saying how they would pay for them.

“If you can’t pay for your promises they simply won’t be delivered,” he said.

Mr O’Brien said the coalition’s promises were being analysed by Treasury and the costings would be released within days.

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