VICTORIA — Luke Hilakari, secretary of the Victorian Trades Hall Council, threatened to withhold union campaigning resources from Labor MPs and candidates who do not increase voter contact. Hilakari sent an email to Labor MPs and candidates addressing their constituent engagement metrics.

Internal Labor party data indicated that 23 MPs or candidates recorded zero conversations with constituents during the first two weeks of June. Labor party headquarters has tracked these engagement metrics on a fortnightly basis since mid-2025. "I was frankly enraged to learn that 23 MPs or candidates have had ZERO conversations with voters in the last fortnight," Hilakari said. He stated he would recommend withholding union campaigning resources in electorates where MPs do not increase voter contact. "They have every right to expect the same commitment from you. The message is simple, start campaigning or start packing," he said.

Premier Jacinta Allan recorded 86 door knocks and 32 constituent conversations during the reported period. Deputy Premier Ben Carroll recorded 35 door knocks and 11 constituent conversations. Richmond candidate Sarah McKenzie recorded 270 constituent conversations, Sydenham candidate Uros Rasic recorded 180 constituent conversations, and Clarinda MP Meng Heang Tak recorded 159 constituent conversations. Attorney General Sonya Kilkenny recorded zero constituent conversations during the reported period.

Allan stated that the tracking data does not capture all forms of community engagement. "There's forums, there's meetings, there's community events, there's the mobile office work. Not all of that necessarily gets captured in that data set but it is all about community engagement," Allan said. Speaking about her team, Allan said, "I know from my Labor team, the Labor team that I am proud to lead, that everyone is working incredibly hard."

Hilakari indicated that a small number of the named MPs communicated that his concerns could have been addressed privately before public disclosure. However, he stated, "Quiet conversations have been had, they have not been listened to, and we are five months away from an election." The Victorian state election is scheduled for November. Recent polling indicates One Nation is increasing its support in Victoria, and Labor's primary vote has declined to the low 20 percent range. "Every MP should be working their ass off right now to make sure that Pauline Hanson and One Nation doesn't become the majority party in the state of Victoria," he said.