The Victorian government is moving to abolish the state’s controversial group voting ticket system, a change designed to eliminate the practice of “preference whispering” in the Legislative Council. The reform aims to bring Victoria into alignment with all other Australian jurisdictions, which have already moved away from the system that allows parties to control how a voter’s preferences are distributed. Under the current Victorian model, voters choosing a party above the line on the ballot paper effectively delegate their preferences to that party, a process critics argue can lead to outcomes that do not reflect the actual intent of the electorate.
The push for reform follows a government-led inquiry into the 2022 election, which identified the system as a source of public distrust. The inquiry found that the mechanism has historically allowed candidates with very low primary vote counts to secure seats through complex preference deals brokered by third-party consultants. These “preference whisperers” have long been accused of manipulating the electoral process by creating labyrinthine arrangements that prioritize party strategy over voter choice.
Antony Green, a prominent election analyst, has frequently highlighted how the system enables candidates to win despite receiving only a sliver of first-preference support. The inquiry report noted that such outcomes can lead to a disconnect between the makeup of the parliament and the expressed will of the voters. By removing group voting tickets, the government intends to ensure that the distribution of preferences is determined by the voters themselves rather than by behind-the-scenes negotiations.
While the government has previously resisted calls for change, the latest legislative push signals a significant shift in policy. The proposed reforms are expected to have a substantial impact on the composition of the upper house, potentially reducing the influence of minor parties that have historically relied on these preference flows to gain representation. As the state prepares for upcoming electoral cycles, the focus remains on restoring transparency and ensuring that every vote is counted in a way that is both predictable and transparent to the public.