Tuesday, 13 August 2024

Electoral reform

Gaelle BROAD (Northern Victoria) (18:30): (1037) My adjournment matter is for the Premier, following the recent tabling of the Electoral Matters Committee inquiry report into the conduct of the 2022 Victorian state election. It was positive to see the Liberals and Nationals’ proposal to reform group voting tickets for the Legislative Council adopted as a recommendation in this report. However, reforms to group voting tickets were also an accepted recommendation from a parliamentary review into the 2018 Victorian state election, but the state government took no action to implement these reforms.

The action I seek is for the Premier to ensure that these reforms are implemented before the next state election in November 2026. There are people who hold a seat in this chamber with less than 2 per cent of the vote. Victoria is now the only state where group voting tickets continue to operate. Every other state and the federal government have made reforms. The Nationals support measures to improve transparency, accessibility and fair representation across our electoral system. A fair and transparent voting system is foundational to our democratic system of government. We need to eliminate group voting tickets for upper house voting and allow preferences above the line so people know who they are voting for and where their vote is going. I have spoken to many people who are shocked that we currently have a system where an individual can do deals behind the scenes to manipulate the voting system and receive funds to help people get elected to this chamber.

I raised the need for reform on this issue almost 12 months ago in this house. The Premier replied that she would consider the committee’s report when it was tabled in Parliament and would respond in due course. Now is the time for that response and for the Labor state government to ensure that reforms to the upper house group voting system are in place before the next state election.