August 2nd, 2026MAKING VICTORIA’S ELECTIONS FAIRER AND MORE TRANSPARENT

The Electoral Amendment (Miscellaneous Matters) Bill 2026, introduced into the Victorian Parliament this week, will abolish group voting tickets.

This will end “preference whispering”, where parties strike complex preference deals that can see candidates elected with only a small share of the primary vote.

A new above-the-line voting system will require voters to number at least five groups in order of preference.

Those preferences will then flow to candidates in the order they appear below the line for each party or group.

This will put voters in control of their preferences making our elections fairer and more transparent.

This change will also bring Victoria into line with other states.

The reforms will also require the Victorian Electoral Commission to publish information about new political parties – because a party’s name does not always tell voters who is behind it or where their preferences may flow.

The information will be publicly available so Victorians can make more informed decisions.