By-election result has little effect, but causes concern for major parties

The topic of by-elections is being discussed.

Jess Wilson and Anthony Marsh celebrated the Nepean by-election with other Liberal party members.

Victorian Liberals are feeling relieved.

When Opposition Leader Jess Wilson first learned about the by-election, she said she was excited.

The opportunity was threatened by a strong One Nation and independent Tracee Hutchison.

The Liberals won, but One Nation got a quarter of the vote, which is a warning for Labor and Liberal.

One Nation and Tracee Hutchison challenged the Liberal Party.

Liberal MPs and insiders were preparing for a long night of vote counting.

Expectations were low.

There was a fear that the party would lose a lot of votes and the seat might go to One Nation.

The Liberals' primary vote dropped, which could be a problem in the next election.

The party knows it has to learn from the result and work harder to earn trust.

Liberal insiders were worried that One Nation's Darren Hercus would win the seat.

Many MPs and strategists share this view.

The by-election was not important, and the governing Labor party did not participate.

There are lessons to be learned from the result.

The next state election will be tough for the major parties.

One in four voters in Nepean supported One Nation, which is a warning for the major parties.

Some party operatives are disturbed about what might happen in the next election.

The working-class profile in Nepean is contained, but it is more widespread in other seats.

A former Labor strategist says working-class voters have sent a warning to the major parties.

Both sides will lose votes, but the risk is greater for the Coalition.

The Liberals' path to government is more difficult because of One Nation.

Labor is trying to paint One Nation and the Coalition as allies.

The Premier said the Liberal Party cannot govern without One Nation.

Liberals are pleased that the independent Tracee Hutchison did not get more votes.

The electorate is fragmented, and many voters are fed up with the major parties.

Independent Tracee Hutchison got more than a fifth of the primary votes.

Voters want to send a message to the major parties.

Wilson's leadership helped the Liberals in Nepean, and she is making the Coalition competitive.

The Nepean results are good news for Liberal leader Jess Wilson.

Labor did not run in the by-election, which was the right decision.

Labor has its own problems, including the Premier's popularity and crime rates.

Labor is talking about positive policies, including the budget.

Liberal MPs have noted that Labor is focusing on new funds and programs.

The Liberal Party turned up the volume on the treaty with First Peoples.

The Liberal Party aimed its message at voters considering One Nation.

A sign at a Nepean polling booth was authorized by the Liberal Party.

As One Nation grows, it will face more scrutiny.

Highlighting problems with One Nation's policies may not change voters' minds.

Labor is happy to take on One Nation, but the Liberals are being cautious.

Wilson refused to comment on where the Liberals would preference One Nation.

The Premier said the Coalition may need One Nation's help to change the government.

Many Liberals think that winning is all that matters.

The by-election result will boost the party's confidence, but also remind them of the work to be done.

The Coalition needs to win at least 16 seats without losing any, which will be difficult.