Prime Minister Tony Abbott has congratulated Labor’s Daniel Andrews on his Victorian election victory, saying it’s clear voters wanted a change of government.

Mr Andrews has consigned the Napthine coalition government to the dustbin as the first one-term government in Victoria since 1955, with some state Liberals blaming the Abbott government’s unpopularity for the result.

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In a brief statement, the prime minister congratulated the Victorian Labor leader.

“Whilst a significant proportion of the vote remains to be counted, it is clear that Victorians have voted for a change of government,” he said.

Mr Abbott also paid tribute to dumped premier Denis Napthine as a man of integrity and decency.

“He has served Victoria as a member of parliament, as a minister in the Kennett government, as leader of the opposition, as a minister in the Baillieu government and as premier,” Mr Abbott said.

“Denis Napthine’s public service has left Victoria a better place and I thank him.”