Victorians deserve to know where their preferences go and decide who gets elected - not faceless people making backroom deals.
Under the current system, parties can direct how preferences flow through group voting tickets.
It means candidates can win Upper House seats through deals made rather than direct support from voters.
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.
As stated by Premier Ben Carroll
"Fair elections are the bedrock of democracy, and we are delivering these reforms to ensure Victorians can be confident in their electoral processes."
"Victorians shouldn't wake up after an election wondering how someone with only a handful of votes ended up in Parliament."
As stated by Special Minister of State Ingrid Stitt
"We're making elections fairer and more transparent by removing backroom preference deals - ensuring Victorians know exactly who they are voting for."
