Victorian election was lukewarm all round

As predicted by the polls Labor won the election. While this was expected, again neither side won more than 38% of the vote (this time it was Labor on the higher figure), so minor party preferences were crucial and the result can't be said to be decisive (anymore than the last result was). The minor party votes were similar to last time, meaning that the real change probably occurred with voters moving between the two major parties (although this is never that simple with voters changing between all parties).

In Victoria a high percentage of Greens preference Labor, while a smaller majority of non-Greens minor party voters preference the Liberals. This gives Labor an advantage when results come down to third party preferences.

Despite the Greens having a very static vote across the state, this time they appear to have won the seat of Melbourne, increasing their vote from 31.92% to 41.42%.

The disillusion and essentially status quo nature of the result is illustrated by the standing of the leaders. According to Newspoll both Napthine and Andrews had very similar negative approval ratings

Source http://polling.newspoll.com.au.tmp.anchor.net.au/image_uploads/141124%20VIC%20Election%20-%20Final.pdf

Source: http://polling.newspoll.com.au.tmp.anchor.net.au/image_uploads/141124%20VIC%20Election%20-%20Final.pdf

And many voters had not made up their minds, indicating that both had made a relatively weak impression on electors.

The result was that voters actually preferred Napthine over Andrews.

Source: http://polling.newspoll.com.au.tmp.anchor.net.au/image_uploads/141124%20VIC%20Election%20-%20Final.pdf