2024-07-30
A report released today from the Electoral Matters Committee (EMC) into Victoria’s group voting system finally backs what the Greens have been calling for, for years, recommending that group voting be scrapped in Victoria.
Victoria is the only state in the country where voting for a party above the line gives that party full control of a voter’s preferences. It means that parties can make backroom deals that undermine the will of the voter and funnel people’s votes to parties they would never support.
Ahead of the 2018 and 2022 state elections, Glenn Druery arranged microparties into preference-swapping cartels, in exchange for money. Successful candidates paid him 50-60 thousand dollars.
The Victorian Greens spokesperson for integrity, Dr Tim Read welcomed the EMC report, saying that the Greens and experts have been calling for group voting tickets to be scrapped for years.
He added that Labor must commit to electoral reform now so that we don’t see a repeat of the seats for cash scandal, which has put people into the upper house on as little as 0.6% of the vote.
The undemocratic system leaves many Victorians completely unaware of who they’re voting for in the Upper House and must be reformed before people go to the polls in 2026.
Quotes attributable to Greens spokesperson for integrity, Dr Tim Read:
“Group voting tricks voters into electing parties they haven’t heard of and may not support, ahead of candidates with a larger vote, leaving Victoria with an unrepresentative upper house.
“Upper house politicians elected by group voting are more accountable to the backroom preference dealer who took their money than they are to voters.
“Our Parliament should reflect and authentically represent the people of Victoria, not be a reflection of backroom deals between parties.
“We need group voting reform now. Labor needs to take these recommendations seriously and ensure that group voting is scrapped by the 2026 election so that the people elected to the Upper House reflect the people they serve.”