Hope you can still read this parmenio - methinks you might be...

Hope you can still read this parmenio - methinks you might be going on holiday :(

In a state by-election here in Victoria Dean Mighell and his union the AEU supported the independant candidate Les Twentyman, as did local hero Phil Cleary. One would have to describe Twentyman as a good man - well known as a worker for underprivileged in the western suburbs, particularly young adults. He was Victorian of the year - a true working class hero and undoubtedly a Labor man if he was not an independant - certainly no Lib.

The seat under by-election was Labor's third safest, with a margin of 25%.

Mr Twentyman now understands what can happen to anybody who threatens the Labor party - he was subjected to a viscious personal campaign of lies. Premier Brumby went on radio and claimed that a vote for Twentyman was a vote for the Libs - despite him giving his preferences to Labor. A pamphlet was distributed claiming that he would support drug centres in the area. Twentyman was on ABC radio this morning almost shell shocked with how the campaign against him was run - he had anecdotes of people telling him they couldn't vote for him as he was a stooge or that they were worried about drug centres near schools.

The swing against Labor was around 7% with both Twentyman and Libs poling 20% primary vote. The seat went to preferences for first time in yonks.