'Brand Liberal problem': Victoria election loss part of national trend

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews' third consecutive election win last night is indicative of a broader malaise gripping the Liberal party nationwide.

As 9News political editor Charles Croucher pointed out on Today, the Liberal party was the only contestant to come away with what amounted to a loss.

Labor is on track to form a majority government, but with fewer seats than the previous term.

READ MORE: As it happened: The Victorian election

Both the Greens and the Nationals are celebrating an increased representation in the state parliament, while the Teal independents might also pick up a seat.

"Effectively this means it's been a bad night for only the Liberal party," Croucher said.

He said it was part of a persistent problem the party faced around the country.

READ MORE: How the teals fared in the Victorian election

"Three losses in a row for the Liberal party (in Victoria), three losses in a row for the Liberal Party in Queensland. The wipeout in Western Australia, the loss at federal level, loss in South Australia," Croucher said.

"There is a brand Liberal problem moving forward. That is something that will take a lot of people to solve and there is no simple answer for it."

He said it was unlikely Victorian Liberal leader Matthew Guy could stay on after having lost two consecutive elections.

READ MORE: Greens Leader takes victory of key inner-Melbourne seats

Although always favoured to win, Andrews had faced narrowing opinion polls in the lead-up to the vote, with his government facing ongoing corruption investigations, as well as criticism over his response to COVID-19, which saw Melbourne at one point become the most locked-down city in the world.

Counting is continuing in multiple seats.