Mel Yuan for Brunswick

First preference votes for Bulleke-bek are:

• Mel Yuan IND 16.5%
• Louisa Bassini SOCIALIST 21.9%
• Owen Miller FUSION 4.2%
• Jay Iwasakai GREEN 35.5%* likely winner
• Helen Brier ALP 21.7%

The preference distribution for all wards will occur after Melbourne Cup day.

I think these voting patterns reflect the “true” party vote. Bulleke-bek had the highest Socialist vote in Brunswick. While the Greens took Warrk-Warrk with an absolute majority, there was a good showing by Oscar Yildiz-aligned independents in Brunswick West and Randazzo. I have no word from scrituneers in Rendazzo, but it’s possible for Voula Allimonos to win if Labor preferences hold strongly but both Socialist preferences can be expected to return to the Greens, but it could be close. Brunswick West is also too close to call with ALP and Greens both on 35% and 33% respectively. Socialist votes will return to the Greens so it will come down to the independents second preferences.

I am heartened by other independents polling 18.8% (Brunswick West) and 28.6% (Rendazzo), which shows that people will vote for a local, non-party candidate.