Labor keeps former Premier Daniel Andrews' seat in by-election despite swing

Labor appears on track to retain the Victorian seat of Mulgrave, previously held by former premier Daniel Andrews, but with a large swing against it.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan (left) and Labor candidate for Mulgrave, Eden Foster (right) hand out how-to-vote cards. Source: AAP / James Ross

Victorian Labor is set to retain former Premier Daniel Andrews' seat of Mulgrave despite a significant swing against the state government.

With more than 75 per cent of the vote now counted, former Dandenong mayor Eden Foster leads with more than 40 per cent of the primary vote in Saturday's by-election ((November 18)), down 10.9 percentage points from Mr Andrews' showing at last year's state poll.

Liberal candidate Courtney Mann has 22 per cent first-preference votes and high-profile independent Ian Cook has 19 per cent.

Foster leads Mr Cook 56 per cent to 44 per cent on a two-candidate preferred basis, a healthy cut into 10.2 per cent margin left by Mr Andrews, who was the local member for more than 20 years.

Cook said before the count he thought Andrews' sudden resignation would have a negative affect on Labor's results.