Legislative Assembly · District of Mulgrave
Eden Foster
Last verified 29 Sept 2026
Seat context — Mulgrave›
Mulgrave, formerly held by Premier Daniel Andrews (51.0% of first preferences and 60.8% two-party-preferred in 2022), has been held by Labor's Eden Foster since she won the 18 November 2023 by-election with 40.18% of first preferences and 56.49% to 43.51% two-candidate-preferred against independent Ian Cook. Foster, the seat's first female representative, is recontesting. The 2026 field is four candidates: Foster, the Liberals' Charles Tran, the Greens' Paul Schofield and the Victorian Socialists' Connor Buchanan. The Tally Room says Labor's hold is likely solid.
Background
Was a Greater Dandenong councillor (Yarraman Ward, 2020-2023) and Mayor (2022-2023). RReported — WIKI-FOSTERWikipedia, "Eden Foster"View source
Her site cites her time as Mayor of Greater Dandenong and a track record of local leadership. SSelf-stated — FOSTER-SITEEden Foster MP, "edenfoster.com.au"View source
Says she was raised in the electorate by a single mother who migrated from Kolkata, India, and is proud to represent her local community. SSelf-stated — FOSTER-SITEEden Foster MP, "edenfoster.com.au"View source
Her electorate office is at 517A Princes Highway, Noble Park. VVerified — FOSTER-PARLVICParliament of Victoria, "Eden Foster — Member page"View source
Platform
Where they stand, issue by issue — grounded in 2026 Victorian polling, not assumed. Every position is tagged with how we know it.
Community leadership and advocacy, good governance and a deep understanding of constituents' needs, per her website.
Says she is "incredibly proud to represent her local community and the residents of Mulgrave".
What Victorians say matters most
5 poll-led issuesCost of living and crime have ranked 1st or 2nd in every Victorian poll since mid‑2025, with debt and housing close behind — see schema §3 for the polling this grouping is based on (DemosAU, Ipsos Issues Monitor, Roy Morgan). The 0-10 'priorityScore' on each candidate's issue entries is NOT a measure of true importance or an independent ranking of what a candidate actually cares about. It reflects how much detail and specificity exists in what that candidate has actually said publicly on that issue -- a named policy mechanism and a verified voting record score higher than a one-line stated priority, regardless of the issue's real-world weight. Render this distinction in the UI wherever the score appears; do not label it just 'Priority' without the qualifier.
Cost of living
Labor's 2026 platform, as summarised by the Australian Election Tracker, includes a vehicle registration rebate of up to $186, half-price public transport fares from June to December 2026 and free midday electricity from October 2026; nothing is attributed to Foster personally.
Crime and community safety
Labor's platform, as summarised by the Australian Election Tracker, includes the 2025 bail law changes; nothing is attributed to Foster personally.
Housing affordability and supply
Labor's platform, as summarised by the Australian Election Tracker, is built around the Big Housing Build; nothing is attributed to Foster personally.
State government debt and fiscal management
Labor's platform, as summarised by the Australian Election Tracker, projects operating surpluses of $700 million in 2025-26 and $1 billion in 2026-27; nothing is attributed to Foster personally.
Infrastructure and public transport delivery
Labor's platform, as summarised by the Australian Election Tracker, includes $1.04 billion for roads; nothing is attributed to Foster personally.
Also on the record
6 substance issuesThese don't top “biggest issue” polling, but carry real 2026 policy weight and genuine differences between parties.
Education and training
Worked in a school as a psychologist.
Labor's platform, as summarised by the Australian Election Tracker, includes $5.5 billion of new education investment in 2026-27 and the Free TAFE guarantee.
Health and healthcare access
Worked as a school psychologist.
Labor's platform, as summarised by the Australian Election Tracker, includes $3.9 billion of new health investment in 2026-27.
Urban planning and housing density
Not detailed in sources reviewed.
Climate and energy transition
Labor's platform, as summarised by the Australian Election Tracker, targets 65% renewables by 2030 and 95% by 2035; nothing is attributed to Foster personally.
Treaty and First Nations affairs
Labor's platform, as summarised by the Australian Election Tracker, cites implementation of the Statewide Treaty Act 2025; nothing is attributed to Foster personally.
Regional and rural Victoria
Not detailed in sources reviewed.
Local & party context
2 fieldsNot scored the way the eleven issues above are — these are fixed facts about the seat and the party, not positions with more or less emphasis behind them.
Track record & prior candidacies
Member for Mulgrave since 18 November 2023. VVerified — FOSTER-PARLVICParliament of Victoria, "Eden Foster — Member page"View source
Greater Dandenong councillor from October 2020 to November 2023. RReported — WIKI-FOSTERWikipedia, "Eden Foster"View source
Is a member of the parliamentary Integrity and Oversight Committee. RReported — WIKI-FOSTERWikipedia, "Eden Foster"View source
Her parliamentary profile lists no ministerial portfolio. VVerified — FOSTER-PARLVICParliament of Victoria, "Eden Foster — Member page"View source
Campaign, money & endorsements
Campaign logistics
Endorsements & Donations
Per the Victorian Electoral Commission's funding guidance (vec.vic.gov.au, accessed 2026-09-29 via search snippets of its independent-candidate and registered-party funding pages), a candidate is eligible for public election funding if they receive at least 4% of first-preference votes in their contest, or are elected. Funding is reimbursed against an audited statement of campaign expenditure, and advance funding must be repaid in full if the threshold is missed.
As the winner of the November 2023 by-election, Foster met the "elected" limb of the test for that contest; for the November 2026 general election a fresh result determines funding.