Victoria - Change or no?

The Electoral Matters Committee of the Victorian Parliament has tabled two reports which could lead to change. Could.

The most recent report concerns the structure of the Upper House membership (the Legislative Council). The Government, through the Parliament, may hold a referendum for a change. May.

Here is the report on the Upper House structure.

https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/electoralsysteminquiry

An earlier committee report (on the 2022 election) proposed change to Victoria's (now) unique voting method for the Upper House. The Government may propose legislation to remove "Group Ticket Voting". May.

Here is the report on the 2022 election with the recommendation for change in the legislation:  https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/2022electioninquiry

In brief

Victoria has a Regional system of electorates for the Upper House. Electors vote for representation in their own region of enrolment. I think the theory is, that the voice of the rural areas will be heard. I do not know the history, but that may have worked long, long ago. Political parties now loom larger!  An alternative (as in NSW) is for State wide representation, with all voters in the single State electorate having the same choice. (Another possibility is for half of the members retiring at each election, as in the Senate.)

The Victorian Group Ticket voting system, with official preference arrangements made between groups, means that an elector's Above the Line vote can boost a candidate for whom they really did not want to vote. If their chosen candidate is eliminated in the count, their vote can transfer according to the wishes of the candidate's group. The elector has no influence on the transfer.

I hope the vote counting method is changed and choice is left directly with the voters.

Yours sincerely

Allen Hampton

Coburg

achamptonmob@gmail.com