Discontent in Melbourne’s west is seeing Labor’s rivals getting ready to shake the party’s stronghold

Melbourne’s west has traditionally been safe territory for Labor, but Liberal and independent candidates are looking to capitalise on growing discontent in the November election. Photograph: Christopher Hopkins/The Guardian

It’s school pickup hour in Melbourne’s Point Cook and cars are bumper to bumper along the state electorate’s namesake road.

It’s emblematic of infrastructure problems in this fast-growing part of the city. Wherever you turn in the west, roads, transport, schools and hospitals are pressing issues for voters. This is usually safe territory for Labor – but there is rumbling discontent.