The inner Melbourne seat of Prahran is set for a byelection following the sudden resignation of former Greens MP Sam Hibbins. The announcement comes just three weeks after Hibbins admitted to breaching party rules by engaging in a consensual relationship with a staff member on his team.
According to sources close to the matter, Hibbins has already tendered his resignation to the Victorian speaker, Maree Edwards, who has 30 days to issue a writ for the byelection and determine its timeline. The contest is likely to take place in late January or early February, leaving parties with a narrow window to decide on their candidates.
Labor Considers Fielding a Candidate
The vacancy has piqued the interest of Victorian Labor, which is reportedly considering fielding a candidate in the upcoming byelection. Prahran, which encompasses the suburbs of Prahran, South Yarra, and Windsor, was previously held by both major parties before Hibbins secured the seat for the Greens in 2014.
Labor figures convened on Sunday to discuss the prospect of running a candidate, with the party’s administrative committee expected to make a final decision on Tuesday. While some members expressed concerns about the high cost of campaigning in a non-government seat, others argued that Labor should work to prevent the Liberals from capturing the electorate.
“We’re a major political party, we shouldn’t be picking and choosing which elections we contest and which we sit out,” an anonymous Labor MP stated.
Premier Jacinta Allan refrained from commenting directly on the matter, stating that it was an issue for the party’s administration to address.
Liberals Expect to Contest Prahran
Meanwhile, Liberal MP Evan Mulholland told reporters on Sunday that he “fully expects” his party will nominate a candidate for the seat. Mulholland criticized both the Greens and Labor, asserting that Prahran “has not been served well” by either party.
Uncharted Territory for the Greens
Electoral analyst Ben Raue described the byelection as “uncharted territory” for the Greens, as it marks the first time one of their MPs has resigned midterm. Raue noted that the Greens typically win seats and hold them with the same candidate, building support around that individual.
“The problem with that approach is if that MP screws up really badly, it doesn’t just hurt them, it hurts the brand,” Raue explained.
The Greens have recently underperformed in local government elections and the Queensland state poll, potentially signaling a decline in their support base.
Hibbins Cites Family Wellbeing
In his resignation statement, Hibbins, who is married with two young children, emphasized that he was stepping down to prioritize his family’s “wellbeing and safety.” He revealed that the public disclosure of his private affair had taken a significant toll on his family’s mental health.
Furthermore, Hibbins alleged that since his departure from the Greens, there had been unauthorized access to his office, during which personal items, including baby photos, were vandalized with “offensive and threatening graffiti.” While Hibbins reported the incident to police on November 11, Victoria police declined to confirm whether the matter had been formally reported, citing privacy laws.
The Greens, however, stated that they do not believe any of their staff or MPs were involved in the alleged vandalism, as they did not have access to Hibbins’ office following his exit from the party. Greens leader Ellen Sandell expressed her satisfaction with Hibbins’ decision to resign from parliament.
As the byelection approaches, the political landscape in Prahran remains fluid, with Labor, the Liberals, and the Greens all weighing their options. The outcome of this contest could have significant implications for the balance of power in the Victorian parliament and serve as a bellwether for the state’s political sentiment leading up to the 2026 election.
