Fostering regional connections
Regional sittings allow members of parliament the chance to foster connections with regional communities and visit areas outside of their own electorates.
The first regional sittings took place 16 August 2001 to celebrate the centenary of federation with the Legislative Assembly sitting in Bendigo and the Legislative Council in Ballarat.
The most recent regional sittings were held by the Legislative Council in response to certain events. In 2021 the Legislative Council sat in the bushfire-affected community of Bright in April 2021 as a sign of support and to bolster local morale. In April 2024 the Legislative Council sat in the flood-affected region of Central Northern Victoria (at the Echuca Library).
1
2
3
4
5
of
5
Past regional sittings
Legislative Council
Location | Date |
Ballarat | 16 August 2001 |
Benalla | 30 October 2002 |
Colac | 17 November 2005 |
Lakes Entrance | 15 and 16 October 2008 |
Bendigo | 6 September 2012 |
Bright | 29 April 2021 |
Echuca | 18 April 2024 |
Legislative Assembly
Location | Date |
Bendigo | 16 August 2001 |
Geelong | 17 November 2005 |
Churchill | 15 October 2008 |
Ballarat | 6 September 2012 |