Voices group targets Labor in 2026 Victorian state election in Footscray and Williamstown

In this special series, The Age focuses on Melbourne’s western suburbs to see how life could improve in Australia’s fastest-growing region. See all 18 stories .

A new “Voices of” group in Melbourne’s inner west is taking aim at the government’s dominance as it kicks off a search for candidates to challenge Labor-held seats for the first time in Victoria.

The founding members of Voices of the Inner West, many of whom have connections to so-called teal political campaigns, are united by the issues of climate, integrity and equality – just don’t call them teals .

Instead, the organisers say the decision to run reflects growing frustration with what they describe as one-party dominance in Melbourne’s west, a region held almost exclusively by Labor for decades.

The group’s Anthony Wa