The Victorian Greens have slammed the Victorian Labor government for dragging their feet and delaying the abolition of group voting in Victoria, despite the Electoral Matters Committee recommending the undemocratic system be scrapped immediately.
Labor will move in the Lower House on Thursday for an inquiry into upper house voting reform as well as the make-up of the Upper House. However, a recent report from the EMC already explicitly stated that group voting should be scrapped immediately and that no other recommended inquiries should hold this up.
Labor's proposed inquiry wouldn't report until the end of next year at the earliest, making it near impossible for group voting to be abolished and the recommended federal system to be legislated and implemented by the VEC in time for the next election.
Greens' integrity spokesperson, Dr Tim Read, said the late deadline shows that their inquiry referral is an attempt to conceal their intention to retain group voting as long as possible.
As stated by Victorian Greens spokesperson for integrity, Dr Tim Read:
"This is a calculated delaying tactic from Labor because they don't want to get rid of group voting ahead of the next election.
"We don't need another inquiry into group voting. We literally got a report two weeks ago that couldn't have been more explicit that the undemocratic system should be abolished immediately.
"By ignoring that advice and refusing to scrap group voting right now, Labor is trading off the authentic representation and democracy of Victorians just to benefit themselves and dooming us to another election where people can get elected based on less than 1% of the vote.
"Our Parliament should reflect and authentically represent the people of Victoria, not be a reflection of backroom deals between parties.
"Labor hopes no-one notices their latest move to keep a system which allows seats in Victoria's upper house to be bought with money rather than won with votes."
