For decades, the federal seat of Wills was a stronghold for the Labor Party, once held by former Prime Minister Bob Hawke. But the inner-north Melbourne electorate has shifted, and Wills is now firmly in marginal territory.
Covering areas like Coburg, Brunswick, Pascoe Vale and Fawkner, Wills has traditionally been home to working-class and migrant communities. But gentrification and a recent electoral boundary redistribution have significantly altered the landscape, posing new challenges for Labor.
Electorate Changes Shift the Balance
A recent redrawing of boundaries by the Australian Electoral Commission added wealthier suburbs such as Fitzroy and Princes Hill to the seat, while less affluent areas like parts of Glenroy and Oak Park were removed.
Yet long before the official changes, the demographics of Wills had been evolving. Over the past two decades, rising property prices have transformed the area and displaced many long-time Labor voters.
Coburg, once dubbed an “unfashionable” suburb, now boasts trendy restaurants, cinemas, and a redeveloped Pentridge prison site, reflecting the broader gentrification of the area.
The Greens’ Long Campaign
The Greens have had their sights on Wills for years, particularly after securing the neighbouring seat of Melbourne in 2010. While they have come close — notably in 2016, when Liberal preferences tipped the seat to Labor’s Peter Khalil — they have never managed to win it.
The divide within Wills is visible along Bell Street. North of the road, Labor consistently outperformed the Greens in 2022. South of it, in the more affluent suburbs, the Greens won more polling booths. The redistribution has now replaced Labor-leaning areas with ones that favour the Greens, making the contest tighter than ever.
Ratnam’s Bid for Canberra
Greens candidate Samantha Ratnam, formerly the leader of the Victorian Greens, is contesting Wills and spending significant time campaigning in the northern suburbs.
“We’re hearing from people who feel neglected in what used to be safe Labor territory,” Ratnam said. A ceramic watermelon pin on her lapel signifies her pro-Palestine stance, a key issue among many voters in the seat.
Ratnam says Labor’s response to the Israel-Gaza conflict has alienated constituents and driven them toward the Greens for the first time. “People are telling me this is a moral issue. They feel let down,” she said.
Despite the prominence of the conflict, Greens leader Adam Bandt said it won’t be part of any non-negotiable demands in the event of a hung parliament. “Our only red line is not supporting Peter Dutton,” Bandt said, though he added that the Greens will continue to pressure the government over foreign policy and human rights.
Labor’s Pushback
Peter Khalil, who has held the seat since 2016, is defending his record amid strong pressure. High-profile Labor figures, including Finance Minister Katy Gallagher and Housing Minister Clare O’Neil, have joined him on the campaign trail.
Khalil, who also serves as the government’s special envoy for social cohesion, says the government has done what it can in response to the Gaza conflict — including advocating for a ceasefire and providing increased humanitarian aid and refugee visas.
“I’ve personally helped resettle Palestinian families in my electorate,” he said. “It’s important to stand by principle and do the work.”
While acknowledging some criticism, Khalil said constituents are also focused on broader issues like the cost of living, housing, and public services.
He pointed to his role in delivering a Medicare urgent care clinic as an example of what being in government can achieve for the community.
“I’ve worked hard for this community. Representing them is a privilege,” he said.
Khalil’s office has been the target of protests, including one incident last year where it was vandalised with red paint and an unknown substance.
Despite the intensity of the campaign, both major contenders are emphasising that Wills’ future is about more than a single issue — and that they’re fighting for the trust of a changing electorate.
