Victory is within reach, according to both of Victoria's main political parties.
Premier Jacinta Allan and would-be successor Jess Wilson have delivered soft campaign launches before gatherings of their respective faithful in Melbourne.
Attending Labor's state conference, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also used Saturday's occasion to make an impassioned defence of his beleaguered federal budget agenda.
Ms Allan addressed thousands of cheering party members, confirming plans to fund a new generation of apprentices to meet significant workforce shortages in the next four years.
Standing with her was her father Peter Allan, a former linesman at Victoria's State Electricity Commission (SEC).
The commission was revived by former premier Daniel Andrews in 2023 after it had been privatised by Jeff Kennett's 1990s Liberal government.
