Bracks back again

The Coalition recorded its twentieth straight defeat at a state level yesterday as Victorian Labor easily defeated the Liberals, paving the way for leader Steve Bracks to make history as Victoria's longest-serving Labor leader.

Early this morning, Labor looked set to take 55 seats in the lower house, compared with the Liberals' 24. They also stood a chance of retaining control of the upper house.

While conceding a four per cent swing the Government easily held on to power after the Liberal- National Coalition could only capture 0.7 per cent of this swing.

"I want to thank the people of Victoria for the trust they have shown in our government for the next four years … that trust will not be misplaced," Mr Bracks declared.

"This victory belongs to working families all around Victoria," Mr Bracks said.

He said Victorian families wanted a cleaner, better state, which Labor would deliver.

"Families want a fair go in the workplace as well," he said.

"Their trust will not be misplaced.

"We'll make sure we govern for everyone no matter how they voted."

Labor's success represents only the second time in 150 years it had been elected for three consecutive terms.