ALP 25.3%
Incumbent MP
Robin Scott, since 2006.
Geography
Northern Melbourne. Preston covers northern parts of Darebin council, covering parts of the suburbs of Preston and Reservoir.
History
Preston was created for the 1945 election, and has always been held by the ALP.
It was first won in 1945 by William Ruthven, Mayor of Collingwood, and a recipient of the Victoria Cross in the First World War. He held the seat for the ALP until 1955, when he moved to the new seat of Reservoir, which he held until his retirement in 1961.
Charlie Ring held the seat for the ALP from 1955 to 1970, followed by former Mayor of Preston, Carl Kirkwood, who held the seat from 1970 to 1988.
In 1988, the ALP’s Michael Leighton won the seat, holding it right through to 2006. He served as a shadow minister when Labor was out of government in the 1990s, but never reached the frontbench after Steve Bracks became Premier.
In 2006, Leighton retired and was succeeded by Robin Scott.
Candidates
- Trent McCarthy (Greens)
- Robin Scott (Labor)
- Adin McGarvie (Liberal)
Political situation
Preston is very safe for the ALP.
2006 result
| Candidate | Party | Votes | % | Swing |
| Robin Scott | ALP | 19,809 | 61.58 | -5.08 |
| Peter Hammond | LIB | 6,539 | 20.33 | +1.57 |
| Chris Chaplin | GRN | 4,400 | 13.68 | +0.34 |
| Christopher Field | FF | 1,141 | 3.55 | +3.55 |
| Robert Barwick | CEC | 281 | 0.87 | -0.37 |
2006 two-candidate-preferred result
| Candidate | Party | Votes | % | Swing |
| Robin Scott | ALP | 24,222 | 75.30 | -0.45 |
| Peter Hammond | LIB | 7,944 | 24.70 | +0.45 |
Booth breakdown
I have divided booths in Preston into two areas: twelve booths in the Reservoir area, and nine booths in the Preston area. The ALP won a massive majority in both areas, with a slightly larger one in Preston. The Greens polled much more strongly in Preston, with 16%, compared to just under 11% in Reservoir.
| Voter group | GRN % | ALP 2CP % | Total votes | % of votes |
| Reservoir | 10.95 | 75.01 | 14,222 | 44.21 |
| Preston | 16.32 | 78.21 | 12,011 | 37.34 |
| Other votes | 14.86 | 70.12 | 5,933 | 18.44 |
Slowly trending Green around the Preston area, but Reservoir and surrounds are working class through and through.
Huge contrast with Northcote immediately to the south, and shows why the Greens have an uphill battle to win Batman any time soon despite making the 2PP cut in 2010.
Darebin councillor Trent McCarthy is the new Greens candidate after the original candidate withdrew.
Candidates in ballot paper order are:
Trent McCarthy – Greens
Robin Scott – Labor
Adin McGarvie – Liberal
Top Greens booths here: 35.1% at Preston South, 33.4% at Bell, 27.6% at Newlands, 26.7% at Murray (they outpolled the Libs in these four booths). Went all the way down to 9.6% at Ruthven. Labor was massively better at Preston North East than anywhere else.