Crossbench MPs kill off changing ‘above-the-line’ voting system

A MOVE to change how preferences are used to elect state upper house MPs has been shot down by Geelong-region crossbench MPs.

The Greens say the current group voting ticket system allowing political parties to decide preference flows for above-the-line voters “distorts” the proportional counting process.

At the 2018 election, 91 per cent of votes in Victoria’s upper house were placed above the line.

Last week, Greens moved to have the group voting system ruled out, but were outvoted 37-1, including by western region MPs Andy Meddick and Stuart Grimley, who won their places in parliament because of the group voting system.

The system, which allows candidates to win a seat in parliament on small first-preference percentage, is unlikely to be looked at before the election next year.

In 2018, Mr Meddick (12,476 votes) and Mr Grimley (20,277) received fewer first-preference votes than a Greens candidate (32,398) in the western region, but were elected due to preference flows.

Mr Meddick, a one-time trade unionist and vegan animal rights activist from the Animal Justice Party, said the system was not perfect, but it worked. “The group voting ticket was brought in to bring some equity and availability for voices in minor parties that otherwise wouldn’t be heard,” he said.

He was elected after getting 2.71 per cent of first-preference votes, despite a Greens candidate receiving 7.04 per cent.

Mr Grimley, a former police officer from Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party, said the group voting system gave the “little guy” with “lived experience” a chance to win a seat.

“The differing views add that extra layer of accountability (for the government). I am quite happy with the way things are,” he said.

Other upper house MPs Rod Barton (0.6 per cent) and David Limbrick (0.86 per cent) were elected after receiving low first-preference votes.

Greens upper house crossbench MP Samantha Ratnam said political operators were deciding preference flows, rather than voters.

“The group voting ticket system in Victoria’s upper house distorts the will of voters so that anyone who votes above the line, which is over 90 per cent of voters in Victoria, could see their vote electing someone they never intended to vote for,” Ms Ratnam said.