Victorian Microparty MPs Face Re-Election Struggle After GVT Abolished 2026

Victorian microparty MPs face a significant re-election struggle after the state parliament abolished group voting tickets, a move that will reshape the upper house elections. The electoral amendment (miscellaneous matters) bill 2026 passed the legislative council on Tuesday night with 33 votes to four, eliminating the group voting ticket (GVT) system that had been the only remaining one of its kind in Australia. This reform, which takes effect for the November state election, requires voters to number at least five parties above the line in order of preference, giving voters direct control over their preferences rather than allowing parties to allocate them through backroom deals.

Why Group Voting Tickets Were Controversial

The GVT system had long been criticized by election analysts, including Antony Green, who argued that it enabled candidates to win seats with a tiny fraction of primary votes. According to Green, about 20 candidates in the last decade were elected with under 6% of the vote, some as low as 1%, defeating candidates who had far more support. These outcomes were possible because parties could negotiate preference swaps, effectively deciding who got elected regardless of voter intent. The new system, by contrast, ensures that voters' preferences are counted exactly as they mark them, making it impossible for such deals to determine outcomes.

Impact on Microparty MPs

The four MPs who opposed the bill were Georgie Purcell of the Animal Justice Party, Rachel Payne of Legalise Cannabis, David Limbrick of the Libertarian Party, and Jeff Bourman of the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party. These representatives have historically benefited from the GVT system, and electoral analyst Ben Raue noted that they will now face a much harder path to re-election. Under the new rules, microparties must rely on genuine primary support rather than preference harvesting, which could drastically reduce their chances of winning upper house seats.

Comparison: Old vs. New Voting System

Key Takeaways for Voters and Parties

• Voters will now have direct control over their preferences, making the system more democratic.
• Microparties must build genuine voter support rather than rely on preference deals.
• The reform is expected to reduce the influence of minor parties in the upper house.
• Existing microparty MPs like Georgie Purcell face an uphill battle to retain their seats.
• The change aligns Victoria with other Australian states that have already abolished GVTs.

Reactions and Future Implications

Antony Green praised the reform as a step toward rewarding parties that actually receive votes, rather than those that win through clever preference negotiations. He noted that the new system makes it impossible for candidates with minimal primary support to be elected. While the four opposing MPs argue that the change could reduce diversity in the upper house, supporters counter that it enhances electoral integrity and voter sovereignty.

FAQ

As Victoria prepares for the 2026 state election, the abolition of group voting tickets marks a historic shift in electoral practice. While the immediate impact will be felt by microparty MPs, the long-term effect is a more transparent and voter-driven democratic process. For voters, this means their preferences truly count, and for parties, it means earning support the old-fashioned way.

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