THE MARGINAL seat of La Trobe is one of two Victorian Coalition seats Labor has captured this federal election, bucking a national swing against the ALP.

But it was the Greens preferences that got Labor’s Laura Smyth over the line, as incumbent Liberal MP Jason Wood was ahead on primary votes.

Ms Smyth came out in front with 51.59 per cent of the vote after preferences.

Mr Wood last year won the seat with just 50.51 per cent.

Greens candidate Jim Reiher secured 12.38 per cent of the primary vote - a 3.54 per cent swing.

“The residents of La Trobe are demonstrating that they are willing to support the Greens more and more,” he said.

The swing for the Greens in La Trobe follows a statewide 4.2 per cent swing to the party.

On Tuesday, Julia Gillard’s Labor Party was firming as looking likely to form a government with the support of at least two independents and the lone Greens member from Melbourne.