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The Victorian election results are (mostly) in now, and for Christians, the result is not great. The staunch anti-Christian campaigner Dan Andrews has been re-elected despite strong swings against the Labor Party.

Things are certainly not as bad as they could be. Labor is unlikely to pick up even one seat in the Lower House (with a strong –5.8% swing against them across the board) and the initial predictions of a “greenslide” evaporated very quickly post-election night. The Greens picked up just one seat in the Lower House, although their result was stronger in the Upper House where they will gain three seats.

The newly registered Family First Party (led by Lyle Shelton) performed very well (considering they were registered the month before the election), polling more than any other minor party in the state (3.1%). While they did not pick up a seat this time around, Family First preferences brought a number of Democratic Labour Party candidates within very close margins of winning seats. Small swings to either party would have pushed them over the edge.

In huge news, Adem Somyurek of the DLP won his seat, knocking extreme anti-Christian campaigner Fiona Patten (formerly of the Sex Party) out of parliament. Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Party also picked up a seat in the Upper House.

While, sadly, Andrews will have the numbers to control the Upper House (he will need the support of the Greens, the Animal Justice Party and one Legalise Cannabis member to pass legislation), there will be some strong voices to hold him to account. But there is more good news in the Upper House:

• Moira Deeming (a very staunch pro-life Christian woman) was elected for the Liberal Party
• Renee Heath and Ann-Marie Hermans (two other Christian candidates) were also elected for the Liberal Party
• It appears that Derryn Hinch’s radical Justice Party (who regularly supported Dan Andrews’ policy agenda) has been eliminated from the Upper House
• Bernie Finn and Hugh Dolan (from the Democratic Labour Party) both came close to winning a seat (Bernie Finn missed out by only 200 or so votes)

Overall, the votes for pro-life and Christian candidates and parties were quite encouraging. Family First and the DLP both receive strong swings towards them (receiving a combined 4.3% of the vote — almost equivalent to the Nationals Party vote).

In summary, the election outcome is nothing to rave about — Dan Andrews and the ALP regained control of the Lower and the Upper Houses.

Nevertheless, there is cause for hope, particularly in the long term.

There were significant swings against the ALP and, given the circumstances, substantial votes for Christian candidates and parties (look out 2026!). Additionally, quite a number of pro-life, pro-family and Christian candidates were actually elected to parliament.

Please pray for these men and women as they seek to speak the truth in an increasingly dark situation.

Don’t give up hope! God is in control. We appreciate all your effort and prayers over the past few months.

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Photo by Element5 Digital.