View source for Parliament of Victoria

{{short description|State legislature of Victoria, Australia}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use Australian English|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox legislature
 | background_color = #224C98
 | name = Parliament of Victoria
 | legislature = 60th Parliament
 | coa_pic = [[File:Coat of Arms of Victoria.svg|130px]]
 |coa_caption=[[Coat of Arms of Victoria]]| logo_pic = [[File:Logo Parliament of Victoria.png|120px]]
 |logo_caption=Parliament of Victoria logo| house_type = Bicameral
 | houses = [[Victorian Legislative Council|Legislative Council]]<br />[[Victorian Legislative Assembly|Legislative Assembly]]
 |crown-in-parl=[[King of Australia|King]] (represented by the [[governor of Victoria]])| foundation = {{start date and age|df=yes|21 November 1856}}
 | new_session = 
 | leader1_type = [[Monarchy of Australia|Monarch]]
 | leader1 = {{Current Australian monarch |Charles III}}
 | election1 =  {{Current Australian monarch |ascension}}
 | leader2_type = [[Governor of Victoria|Governor]]
 | leader2 = [[Margaret Gardner]]
 | election2 = 9 August 2023
 | leader3_type = [[President of the Victorian Legislative Council|President of the Legislative Council]]
 | leader3 = [[Shaun Leane]]
 | party3 = [[Australian Labor Party (Victorian Branch)|Labor]]
 | election3 = 20 December 2022
 | leader4_type = [[Speaker of the Victorian Legislative Assembly|Speaker of the Legislative Assembly]]
 | leader4 = [[Maree Edwards]]
 | party4 = [[Australian Labor Party (Victorian Branch)|Labor]] 
 | election4 = 2 August 2022
 | leader5_type = [[Premier of Victoria|Premier]]
 | leader5 = [[Jacinta Allan]]
 | party5 = [[Australian Labor Party (Victorian Branch)|Labor]]
 | election5 = 27 September 2023
 | leader6_type = [[Leader of the Opposition (Victoria)|Leader of the Opposition]]
 | leader6 = [[Jess Wilson]]
 | party6 = [[Liberal Party of Australia (Victorian Division)|Liberal]]
 | election6 = 18 November 2025
 | members = '''128'''<br />[[Members of the Victorian Legislative Assembly, 2022-2026|88 MLAs]]<br />[[Members of the Victorian Legislative Council, 2022-2026|40 MLCs]]
 | house1 = [[Victorian Legislative Assembly|Legislative Assembly]]
 | house2 = [[Victorian Legislative Council|Legislative Council]]
 | structure1 = Victoria Legislative Assembly Current Composition (22-26).png
 | political_groups1= '''[[Government of Victoria (Australia)|Government]] (54)''' 
*{{Color box|{{party color|Australian Labor Party}}|border=darkgray}} [[Australian Labor Party (Victorian Branch)|Labor]] (54)
'''[[Opposition (Australia)|Opposition]] (29)'''
*{{Color box|{{party color|Liberal Party of Australia}}|border=darkgray}} [[Liberal Party of Australia (Victorian Division)|Liberal]] (20)
*{{Color box|{{party color|National Party of Australia}}|border=darkgray}} [[National Party of Australia – Victoria|National]] (9)
'''[[Crossbencher|Crossbench]] (5)'''
*{{Color box|#51A802|border=darkgray}} [[Australian Greens Victoria|Greens]] (3)
*{{Color box|888888|border=darkgray}} [[Independent politicians in Australia|Independent]] ([[Will Fowles|1]])
*{{Color box|FF585E|border=darkgray}} {{nowrap|[[Independent Labor (Australia)|Independent Labor]] ([[Darren Cheeseman|1]])}}
 | structure2 = VIC Legislative Council.png
 | political_groups2 = '''[[Government of Victoria|Government]] (15)'''
*{{Color box|{{party color|Australian Labor Party}}|border=darkgray}} [[Australian Labor Party (Victorian Branch)|Labor]] (15)
'''[[Opposition (Australia)|Opposition]] (14)'''
*{{Color box|{{party color|Liberal Party of Australia}}|border=darkgray}} [[Liberal Party of Australia (Victorian Division)|Liberal]] (12)
*{{Color box|{{party color|National Party of Australia}}|border=darkgray}} [[National Party of Australia – Victoria|National]] (2)
'''[[Crossbench]] (11)'''
*{{Color box|{{party color|Australian Greens}}|border=darkgray}} [[Australian Greens Victoria|Greens]] (4)
*{{Color box|{{party color|Legalise Cannabis Australia}}|border=darkgray}} [[Legalise Cannabis Australia|Legalise Cannabis]] (2) 
*{{Colour box|{{party color|Animal Justice Party}}|border=darkgray}} [[Animal Justice Party|Animal Justice]] ([[Georgie Purcell|1]]) 
*{{Color box|{{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Australia)}}|border=darkgray}} [[Liberal Democratic Party (Australia)|Libertarian]] ([[David Limbrick|1]])
*{{Color box|{{party color|One Nation}}|border=darkgray}} [[Pauline Hanson's One Nation|One Nation]] ([[Rikkie-Lee Tyrrell|1]]) 
*{{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party color|Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party}}|border=darkgray}} [[Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party|Shooters, Fishers, Farmers]] ([[Jeff Bourman|1]])}}
*{{Color box|808080|border=darkgray}} [[Independent politicians in Australia|Independent]] ([[Adem Somyurek|1]])
 | voting_system1 = [[Instant-runoff voting|Full preferential voting]]
 | voting_system2 = [[Single transferable vote]] with [[group voting ticket]]s
 | last_election3 = [[2022 Victorian state election|26 November 2022]]
 | next_election3 = [[2026 Victorian state election|28 November 2026]]
 | session_room = Victoria Parliament House Melbourne.jpg
 | meeting_place = [[Parliament House, Melbourne|Parliament House]],<br />[[East Melbourne]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]],<br />[[Australia]]
 | website = {{URL|https://hansard.parliament.vic.gov.au/|parliament.vic.gov.au}}
 | constitution = [[Constitution of Victoria]]
}}

The '''Parliament of Victoria''' is the [[bicameral]] [[legislature]] of the [[Australia]]n state of [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]]. It follows a [[Westminster System|Westminster-derived]] [[parliament]]ary system and consists of the [[Monarchy in Australia|King]], represented by the [[governor of Victoria]], the [[Victorian Legislative Assembly|Legislative Assembly]] and the [[Victorian Legislative Council|Legislative Council]].<ref>{{Cite Legislation AU|Vic|act|ca1975188|Constitution Act 1975|15}}</ref> Members of the [[Victorian government]] are drawn from both chambers, creating a [[Fusion of Powers|fused executive]].<ref>{{Cite Legislation AU|Vic|act|ca1975188|Constitution Act 1975|51}}</ref> The parliament meets at [[Parliament House, Melbourne|Parliament House]] in the state capital [[Melbourne]]. The current Parliament was elected on 26 November 2022, sworn in on 20 December 2022 and is the 60th parliament in Victoria.

The two Houses of Parliament have 128 members in total, 88 in the Legislative Assembly (lower house) and 40 in the Legislative Council (upper house). Victoria has [[compulsory voting]] and uses [[Instant-runoff voting|full preferential voting]] in [[Single-winner voting system|single-member seats]] for the Legislative Assembly, and [[single transferable vote]] in multi-member seats for the [[proportional representation|proportionally represented]] Legislative Council. The council is described as a house of review. Majorities in the Legislative Council are rare, so the government of the day must negotiate with other parties to pass much of its legislative agenda. All members serve four-year terms. The parliament's functions and processes have evolved over time, undergoing significant changes as Victoria changed from an independent colony to a state within the [[Federation of Australia|federated Australia]].<ref name="povfactsheet" />

The Parliament may make laws for any matter within Victoria, subject to some referendum requirements in the [[Victorian Constitution]]. Its power is further limited by the ability for the federal laws to override state laws, subject to the [[Australian Constitution]]. [[Supreme Court of Victoria|State courts]] are responsible for interpreting the laws of Parliament, subject to appeal to the [[High Court of Australia]]. The parliament is also vested with other powers, such as the means to investigate matters, conduct research and summon witnesses.<ref>{{Cite Legislation AU|Vic|act|ca1975188|Constitution Act 1975|19}}</ref>

Government is formed by the party or parties who command [[confidence and supply]] within the Assembly. The leader of the governing party or parties is the [[Premier of Victoria|premier]], the most senior elected member of Victoria's executive government. Victorians do not directly elect the premier, and the leader of the majority party is appointed premier by the governor.  [[Jacinta Allan]] has been the premier since her selection as leader of the [[Victorian Labor Party|Labor Party]] on 27 September 2023.<ref name=2023premier>{{cite news |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-27/jacinta-allan-to-succeed-daniel-andrews-as-victorian-premier/102906268 |title=Jacinta Allan replaces Daniel Andrews as Victorian premier after tense Labor meeting |publisher=ABC News |date=27 September 2023 |access-date=27 September 2023}}</ref>

==History==
{{See also|History of Victoria|History of Australia}}

===Location===
Parliament has sat at [[Parliament House, Melbourne]] since 1856, with the exception of the period 1901–1927, when Parliament House was used by the [[Parliament of Australia|Federal Parliament]] and the Parliament of Victoria sat at the [[Royal Exhibition Building]].<ref>{{cite web
 |url=https://www.aph.gov.au/Visit_Parliament/Things_to_Do/Take_in_some_history
 |title=History of Parliament House
 |website=Parliament of Australia
 |access-date=21 March 2019
}}</ref> The building has undergone significant renovations since its initial construction as it has been expanded, repaired and restored over time. The first major works were conducted in the 1930s, using a £50,000 contribution from the Australian federal government paid in gratitude for the use of the building.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/about/the-parliament-building/history-of-the-building
 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120526080823/http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/about/the-parliament-building/history-of-the-building
 |url-status=dead
 |archive-date=26 May 2012
 |title=History of the Building
 |date=11 April 2017
 |website=Parliament of Victoria
 |access-date=7 May 2019
}}</ref> Further construction was undertaken throughout the 1970s to make temporary offices for members of Parliament, although these were not modernised until further works began in 2015. Sections of the structure's outer walls have gradually been replaced over time.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=https://www.parliamentofvictorianews.com/majesticmakeover
 |title=Majestic Makeover 
 |date=2015
 |website=Parliament of Victoria News
 |access-date=7 May 2019
}}</ref>

===Early parliamentary history===

Prior to 1851 the area of Australia now known as Victoria was part of the [[colony]] of [[New South Wales]] and was administered by the [[Government of New South Wales]] in [[Sydney]]. On 5 August 1850, the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]] passed the ''[[Australian Colonies Government Act]]'' which made provision for the separation of Victoria from New South Wales.<ref>{{
cite web
 |date        = 5 August 1850
 |title       = Australian Constitutions Act 1850
 |location    = UK
 |work        = An Act for the better Government of Her Majesty's Australian Colonies
 |publisher   = House of Lords Record Office
 |url         = http://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/resources/transcripts/vic5_doc_1855.pdf
 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110312001030/http://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/resources/transcripts/vic5_doc_1855.pdf
 |access-date  = 25 September 2019
|archive-date = 12 March 2011
 }}</ref> Enabling legislation was passed by the Parliament of New South Wales, and Victoria was formally created a separate colony of the [[United Kingdom]] on 1 July 1851.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=4 September 2023 |title=Separation of NSW and Victoria |url=https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/separation-of-nsw-and-victoria |access-date=2024-03-14 |website=National Museum of Australia |language=en-AU}}</ref>

The ''Australian Colonies Government Act'' provided for the colony to be administered by a [[Lieutenant-Governor|lieutenant-governor]] and a Legislative Council of 51 members, 21 of which were to be elected and the remainder appointed by the Lieutenant-Governor. The lieutenant-governor was subordinate in some matters to the [[governor of New South Wales]], who was given the title [[Governor-General|governor-general]]. The Legislative Council met for the first time in November 1851 at St Patrick's Hall, Melbourne. The first Legislative Council existed for five years and was responsible for at least three significant and enduring contributions to the parliamentary system of Victoria: drafting the first Constitution of Victoria, ensuring a secret ballot within elections (a novelty within the British Empire at the time<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=4 October 2022 |title=Secret ballot introduced |url=https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/secret-ballot-introduced |access-date= |website=National Museum of Australia |language=en-AU}}</ref>), and ordering the construction of [[Parliament House, Melbourne|Victorian Parliament House]] in Melbourne.<ref>{{cite web | title= An Act to enable Her Majesty to assent to a Bill, as amended, of the Legislature of Victoria, to establish a Constitution in and for the Colony of Victoria |date=16 July 1855 | work=Internet Archive | url= http://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/resources/transcripts/vic5_doc_1855.pdf | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110312001030/http://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/resources/transcripts/vic5_doc_1855.pdf | url-status= dead | archive-date= 12 March 2011 | access-date=19 September 2019 }}</ref>

The [[Constitution of Victoria|Victorian Constitution]] was approved by the Legislative Council in March 1854. It was the sent to Britain where it was passed by the United Kingdom Parliament as the ''Victoria Constitution Act 1855.'' It was granted [[royal assent]] on 16 July 1855 and was proclaimed in Victoria on 23 November 1855.<ref name=OrigConst /><ref name=AltConst>{{cite web | date = October 2010 | title = Altering Victoria's Constitution | work = Fact Sheet D3: Altering Victoria's Constitution  | publisher = Parliament of Victoria | url = http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/assembly/publications-a-research/fact-sheets/1019-fact-sheet-d3-altering-victorias-constitution | archive-url = https://archive.today/20121127042006/http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/assembly/publications-a-research/fact-sheets/1019-fact-sheet-d3-altering-victorias-constitution | url-status = dead | archive-date = 27 November 2012 | access-date = 5 March 2011}}</ref> The constitution established the Westminster-style system of responsible government that continues in Victoria today.<ref name=OrigConst>{{cite web | year = 1855 | title = Victoria Constitution Act 1855 | work = An Act to enable Her Majesty to assent to a Bill, as amended, of the Legislature of Victoria, to establish a Constitution in and for the Colony of Victoria | publisher = Parliament of the United Kingdom | url = http://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/item.asp?sdID=19 | access-date = 5 March 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110312000026/http://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/item.asp?sdID=19 | archive-date = 12 March 2011 | url-status = dead }}</ref> It further stipulated several preconditions on voting that have since been rescinded such as restricting voting to only men of at least 21 years of age who met minimum wealth standards. Rural districts were also very over-represented in order to favour large landowners.<ref name="electoral system">
{{cite web | date=24 May 2010 |title=Electoral System 1851-2003 | publisher=Parliament of Victoria | url=https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/council/publications-a-research/information-sheets/17-electoral-system-1851-2003 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110216063821/http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/council/publications-a-research/information-sheets/17-electoral-system-1851-2003 | url-status=dead | archive-date=16 February 2011 |access-date=19 March 2019}}</ref>

The election for the first Victorian Parliament was held during the spring of 1856, the first Victorian Members of Parliament met on 21 November 1856 in the recently completed [[Parliament House, Melbourne|Parliament House]] and were sworn in, and on 25 November 1856 the first Victorian Parliament was officially opened by acting governor [[Edward Macarthur|Major-General Edward Macarthur]].<ref name=ParlHistt>{{cite web | date = December 2010 | title = Victoria's Parliamentary History | work = Fact Sheet I1: Victoria's Parliamentary History  | publisher = Parliament of Victoria | url = http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/assembly/publications-a-research/fact-sheets/1071-fact-sheet-I1-victorias-parliamentary-history | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110303095142/http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/assembly/publications-a-research/fact-sheets/1071-fact-sheet-i1-victorias-parliamentary-history | url-status = dead | archive-date = 3 March 2011 | access-date = 5 March 2011}}</ref> The Legislative Council consisted of thirty members representing six Provinces, each province returning five members.<ref name="lchistory">{{cite web |date=25 March 2019 |title=The Legislative Council's History |url=http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/council/publications-a-research/information-sheets/721 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929001509/https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/council/publications-a-research/information-sheets/721 |archive-date=29 September 2023 |access-date= |work=Parliament of Victoria |publisher=}}</ref> The Legislative Assembly consisted of sixty members representing thirty-seven multi and single-member electorates.<ref name="elections">{{cite web |title=Fact Sheet G3: Elections |url=http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/publications/fact-sheets/1069-fact-sheet-g3-elections |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150228015609/http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/publications/fact-sheets/1069-fact-sheet-g3-elections |archive-date=28 February 2015 |access-date= |work=Parliament of Victoria |publisher=}}</ref>

===Expansion of suffrage===
Although [[Indigenous Australians]] were denied the vote in some states, Victoria did not directly legislate voting based on race. Therefore, Indigenous Victorian men were entitled to vote from 1857, provided they met the other requirements.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/selfdetermination/voting-rights-for-aboriginal-people |title=Voting rights for Aboriginal People |website=Creative Spirits |author=Jens Korff |date=19 February 2019 |access-date=28 March 2019 }}</ref> Furthermore, Indigenous Victorians who enrolled to vote in Victoria were allowed to vote in federal elections from 1901.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aec.gov.au/indigenous/milestones.htm |title=Electoral milestones for Indigenous People |website=Australian Electoral Commission |date=10 October 2017 |access-date=28 March 2019 }}</ref>

The 1903 constitution, similar to the [[Functional constituency|functional constituencies]] in China, reserved two seats in the Legislative Assembly to be elected by and from [[Electoral district for Railway Officers|Railway Officers]] and similarly one seat [[Electoral district for Public Officers|for Public Officers]], and one seat in the Legislative Council for [[Public and Railway Officers Province|both groups combined]]. In 1907, these four seats were abolished and such officers voted instead in their electoral district and province and were otherwise prohibited from political campaigning.<ref>{{multiref|
{{cite journal |last1=Plehwe |first1=R. |title=Political Rights of Victorian Public Employees |journal=Australian Journal of Public Administration |date=September 1983 |volume=42 |issue=3 |pages=362–375 |doi=10.1111/j.1467-8500.1983.tb00974.x}}|
[https://web.archive.org/web/20231108173812/http://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/hist_act/tca1903218/ Constitution Act 1903] (No. 1864.)|
[https://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/hist_act/tca1906218.pdf Constitution Act 1906] (No. 2075)
}}</ref>

Voting was initially restricted based on gender, though. Victoria was the last state within Australia to intentionally recognise female voters.<ref name="povfactsheet">{{cite web
 |url=https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/assembly/publications-a-research/fact-sheets/2462-fact-sheet-i1#victoria%20becomes%20self%20%20%20governing
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001180925/http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/assembly/publications-a-research/fact-sheets/2462-fact-sheet-i1#victoria%20becomes%20self%20%20%20governing
 |url-status=dead
 |archive-date=1 October 2016
 |title= Fact Sheet: Victoria's Parliamentary History
 |date= 25 February 2015
 |website= Parliament of Victoria
 |access-date= 21 March 2019
}}</ref> The ''Electoral Act 1863'' granted the vote to all rate payers, which included some women at the time. Therefore, women were legally allowed to, and indeed did, vote in the election of 1864. The act was clarified in 1865 to exclude women.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/about/the-history-of-parliament/women-in-parliament
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100907003014/http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/about/the-history-of-parliament/women-in-parliament
 |url-status=dead
 |archive-date=7 September 2010
 |title=Women in Parliament
 |date=17 December 2014
 |website=Parliament of Victoria
 |access-date=22 March 2019
}}</ref> Agitation for allowing women to vote began in earnest in 1891, with presentation of an immense [[Victorian Women's Suffrage Petition]] containing over 30,000 signatures was presented to the parliament.<ref name="suffrage">{{cite web
 |url=https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/about/the-history-of-parliament/womens-suffrage-petition
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110311223517/http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/about/the-history-of-parliament/womens-suffrage-petition
 |url-status=dead
 |archive-date=11 March 2011
 |title=Women's suffrage petition
 |date=29 September 2016
 |website=Parliament of Victoria
 |access-date=21 March 2019
}}</ref> This petition was proudly used as a promotional tool for the federation of Australia. The newly federated nation allowed women to vote in elections, as well as stand for office, since 1902. Yet Victoria did not expand its suffrage to include women until 1908, nor allow women to stand for office until 1924.<ref name="suffrage"/> The first woman was not elected into the Victorian Parliament until 1933.<ref name="vechistory">{{cite web
 |url=https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/voting/learn-to-vote/history-of-elections-in-victoria/stability
 |title=Historical electoral events
 |date=21 June 2018
 |website=Victorian Electoral Commission
 |access-date=21 March 2019
}}</ref>

Political parties began to increase in size and influence throughout the 1890s,<ref name="povparties" /> leading to further agitation for changes to the vote. This also led to voting within each chamber becoming more predictable, as strong party discipline began to form among party members, mostly aligned to three broad ideals: the labour movement, liberal movement and rural interests. Victoria's two-party system took hold, usually as a contest between the [[Australian Labor Party (Victorian Branch)|Labor Party]] and a coalition formed by the Country Party (now known as the [[National Party of Australia – Victoria|Nationals]]) and the more recent [[Liberal Party of Australia (Victorian Division)|Liberal Party]].<ref name="povparties" />

The principle of ensuring that rural regions, which typically represented the landed gentry when Victoria first formed, were over-represented in parliament was also rescinded. One-man-one vote was adopted in 1899 in the Legislative Assembly, and expanded to the Legislative Council in 1937.<ref name="vechistory" /> Wealth requirements for voting in the Legislative Assembly were removed in 1857, but this reform was not made to the Legislative Council until 1950.<ref name="povfactsheet" /> Furthermore, the method of voting was changed; first-past-the-post voting was replaced with preferential voting for the Legislative Assembly in 1911 and compulsory voting introduced in 1923. Meanwhile, the preferential voting was used for elections to the Legislative Council from 1921,<ref name="vechistory" /> and elections made compulsory in 1935.<ref name="povfactsheet" />

Voting was further expanded in 1973, when the voting age was lowered from 21 to 18. The minimum age for membership of either house was also lowered to 18.<ref name="vechistory" />

===Expansion of voting divisions===
{{multiple image
| header            = Legislative Council boundary changes
| align             = right
| direction         = vertical
| width             = 250
| image1            = Victorian Legislative Council districts 1851.png
| caption1          = Initial electoral boundaries, 1851
| image2            = Regions of Legislative Council, Victoria.svg
| caption2          = Present boundaries, 2014-2022
}}
The number of divisions within each of the chambers was gradually increased over time. The Legislative Council was expanded from 30 members representing 6 provinces to its peak of 48 members spread throughout 14 provinces by 1888. The number of both provinces and members continued to change until it remained relatively fixed by 1974, when 44 members represented 22 provinces. Furthermore, the members were distributed evenly, rather than a mixture of single and multi-member districts as the chamber was at its creation.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/council/publications-a-research/information-sheets/17-electoral-system-1851-2003
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110216063821/http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/council/publications-a-research/information-sheets/17-electoral-system-1851-2003
 |url-status=dead
 |archive-date=16 February 2011
 |title=Legislative Council's Electoral System 1851-2003
 |date=24 May 2010
 |website=Parliament of Victoria
 |access-date=21 March 2019
}}</ref>

The Legislative Assembly has similarly fluctuated in size over time. It contained 60 seats within its first iteration in 1856, eventually growing to as many as 95 by 1900.  It was not until 1958 when all divisions were up for election at the same time, though, when all of the then 66 seats were contested. The Assembly reached 88 seats in 1985 and has remained at this number ever since.<ref name="vicelections">{{cite web
 |url=https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/about/the-history-of-parliament/elections-since-1856
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100907003000/http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/about/the-history-of-parliament/elections-since-1856
 |url-status=dead
 |archive-date=7 September 2010
 |title=Elections since 1856
 |date=17 December 2010
 |website=Parliament of Victoria
 |access-date=21 March 2019
}}</ref>

===Current voting methods and districts===
Until November 2006, the Legislative Council had 44 members serving eight-year terms, elected from single-member constituencies, with half the seats falling vacant every four years. Since then it has had 40 members, each serving four-year terms. They are elected from eight multi-member constituencies, each returning five members, and elected by proportional representation. Since 2006, the Legislative Assembly has had 88 members elected for fixed four-year terms from single-member constituencies, using [[Instant-runoff voting|preferential voting]].<ref name="electoral system" />

Fixed four-year terms were introduced for both houses in 2003, replacing the previous provision that allowed the government to expire after no more than four years.<ref name="vechistory" /><ref>[https://content.legislation.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/6ddc3450-3533-3cb2-8667-bd91daded4f7_03-002a.pdf Constitution (Parliamentary Reform) Act 2003 (Vic)]</ref>{{efn|Between 1985 and 2006, the maximum term of the Assembly was four years, but could be dissolved earlier.<ref>[http://www8.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/hist_act/copa1984400.pdf Constitution (Duration of Parliament) Act 1984 (Vic)]</ref>}}

==Composition and electoral systems==
{{Further|Members of the Victorian Legislative Council, 2022–2026|Members of the Victorian Legislative Assembly, 2022–2026}}

Parliament consists of the King and two houses: the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council. The governor acts on behalf of the monarch.<ref name=governor />

All members of both houses are elected for fixed four-year terms. [[General elections]] are held on the last Saturday in November every four years with the parliament expiring on the Tuesday twenty-five days before the election.<ref name=elections /> The most recent general election was held on 26 November 2022.

Parliament can be dissolved earlier by the governor, and a general election called, in two exceptional circumstances:<ref name=elections />
* the Legislative Assembly passes a [[motion of no confidence]] in the government or its ministers, or
* the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly are deadlocked and cannot agree to pass a [[Bill (proposed law)|bill]].

Anyone enrolled to vote in Victoria can stand for election as a candidate for either House, except for:<ref name=elections />
* a judge of the [[Supreme Court of Victoria|Victorian Courts]],
* a member of the [[Parliament of Australia|Commonwealth Parliament]],
* an undischarged [[bankrupt]], or
* someone convicted of a [[Indictable offence|serious criminal offence]].

It is also not permitted to be a member of both houses or a candidate for election to both houses of Parliament.<ref name=elections />

Members of Parliament may be addressed by their name or by using their electorate, for example "The Member for Hawthorn" or "Member for Southern Metropolitan Region", and are entitled to the postnominal letters MLC if a Member of the Legislative Council, and MLA or MP if a Member of the Legislative Assembly. Ministers and former ministers are entitled to the [[Style (manner of address)|style]] "[[The Honourable]]" (abbreviated to "The Hon") although some choose not to use it.<ref>{{cite web |date=4 January 2019 |title=How to Address Members of the Parliament of Victoria |url=https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/about/people-in-parliament/addressing-members |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318141906/https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/about/people-in-parliament/addressing-members |archive-date=2022-03-18 |access-date=4 September 2019 |website=Parliament of Victoria}}</ref>

The government of the day sits on benches to the right of the presiding officer within each chamber, while the opposition sits to the left. Members of a house who are not part of either the official government or opposition sit on the benches in between them, called the cross bench. This arrangement is used in the Legislative Council even though the governing parties rarely command a majority within it.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/assembly/members-a-staff/seating-plan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100627012744/http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/assembly/members-a-staff/seating-plan |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 June 2010 |title=Seating Plan |date=24 April 2019 |website=Parliament of Victoria |access-date=4 September 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/council/members-a-staff/seating-plan-council |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331193436/https://parliament.vic.gov.au/council/members-a-staff/seating-plan-council |url-status=dead |archive-date=31 March 2019 |title=Seating Plan |date=15 August 2019 |website=Parliament of Victoria |access-date= 4 September 2019 }}</ref>

The Government and Opposition appoint members as Managers of Government and Opposition Business in each house. These members are not within the control of the house in the same way that the president and speaker are, they are appointed by the premier and the leader of the Opposition respectively. Each party represented in each house appoints a member as their [[Whip (politics)|party whip]]. The whip's main duty is to ensure that all of the members of their party are present within a chamber when a formal vote takes place.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.peo.gov.au/learning/fact-sheets/party-whip.html |title=Party Whip |website=Parliamentary Education Office |access-date=4 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201192835/https://www.peo.gov.au/learning/fact-sheets/party-whip.html |archive-date=1 February 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Legislative Assembly===
{{main|Victorian Legislative Assembly}}
[[File:Victorian Legislative Assembly.png|thumb|300px|Victorian Legislative Assembly]]
The Legislative Assembly is the house of government, in that the government of the day must command a majority of support in this chamber. Furthermore, the premier and ministers are accountable to Parliament and must face questioning and scrutiny from Parliament. The Assembly schedules question time and has time and subject limits on the ways that Ministers must respond to matters raised to them by any other member of the Assembly.<ref name=nlavic />

It consists of 88 [[Members of the Victorian Legislative Assembly|members]] who are elected for four-year terms using full [[Instant-runoff voting|preferential voting]].<ref name="vecvoting">{{cite web
 |url=https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/Voting/PreferentialVoting.html
 |title=Preferential Voting
 |date=9 October 2019
 |website=Victorian Electoral Commission
 |access-date=19 March 2019}}
</ref> [[Casual vacancy|Casual vacancies]] in the Assembly are filled by a by-election within the electorate.<ref name=paw>{{cite web |url=https://www.parliament.curriculum.edu.au/vic.htm |title=Victoria |date=2009 |website=Parliament@Work |publisher=Australian Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations |access-date=8 May 2019}}</ref>

The Assembly functions as a representation of Victoria and commanding a majority within the Assembly provides a mandate for government policies. The Assembly is the only chamber authorised to draw funds from the public treasury, or to raise taxes, on its own initiative. Changes to taxation or funding for projects can still be debated by the Council, but the Assembly may always authorise funding for the ordinary operation of government without needing Council approval. If the Council does not pass the Assembly's budget within a month it is passed to the governor for royal assent regardless. This means that, unlike the [[Australian Senate]], the other chamber of Victoria's parliament cannot block supply for government funding.<ref name="vicconstitution">{{Cite Legislation AU|Vic|act|ca1975188|Constitution Act 1975}}</ref>

The Assembly has increased in power over time compared to the Legislative Council. It is assumed that the government of the day will act upon the initiatives it campaigned on and the Assembly serves as a direct link between local members and each individual constituency. Furthermore, while it is not a requirement that ministers come from the Assembly, it is convention that more members of the executive branch sit within the Assembly than the Council.<ref name="aphhistory">{{cite web |url=https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Senate/Research_and_Education/pops/pop40/~/~/link.aspx?_id=0BF2C3AD051247BB97F6ABD07407C168&_z=z |title=Accountability or Representation? Victorian Bicameralism |author=Brian Costar |date=December 2003 |website=Australian Parliament House |access-date=6 April 2019}}</ref>

Most bills originate within the Assembly, partly as a matter of convention and mostly due to the fact that bills not sponsored by the government are unlikely to be passed. A bill typically goes through three readings, each followed by a vote, before being presented to the Legislative Council.<ref name="How a law is made" />

===Legislative Council===
{{main|Victorian Legislative Council}}
[[File:Victorian Legislative Council.png|thumb|300px|Victorian Legislative Council]]
The Legislative Council primarily acts as a house of review. It has equal power to the Legislative of Assembly, except in relation to appropriation bills. It contains 40 [[Members of the Victorian Legislative Council|members]], elected from eight multi-member electorates known as [[Electoral regions of Victoria|regions]]. Each region returns five members for a four-year term. Each region contains eleven divisions from the Legislative Assembly. The Council is elected using a [[single transferable vote]] with the option of group voting tickets.<ref name="vecvoting" /> Casual vacancies are filled by a joint-sitting of both houses. The new member must be from the same party as the original member was at the time of their election.<ref name=paw />

The Council's power has decreased over time, as its role has changed. It was initially a means of suppressing democratic reforms, particularly since the more representative Assembly was seen as too liberal and radical. It now serves as a house of review, more closely modelled on the Australian Senate than on the [[House of Lords|United Kingdom's House of Lords]]. Majorities within the Council are rare by design, while minority interest groups are more likely to be elected than within the Assembly, encouraging debate and compromise.<ref name="aphhistory" />

The governor's opening address to Parliament occurs in the Council. The governor does not enter the Assembly, in keeping with the Westminster tradition of regal and vice-regal persons not entering into the chamber modelled on the [[House of Commons]].

Bills passed by the Assembly must also pass the Council within the same form. Either house can propose amendments to bills and all bills and their amendments, with the exception of supply bills, must pass both houses.<ref name="How a law is made" /> The Council may debate supply bills but cannot amend them. In the event that the Council does not pass a budget within a month of it passing the Assembly it is passed onto the governor for royal assent regardless of how (or even if) the Council voted on it.<ref name=vicconstitution />

===Presiding officers===
{{See also |President of the Victorian Legislative Council |Speaker of the Victorian Legislative Assembly}}
The [[Speaker of the Victorian Legislative Assembly|speaker of the Legislative Assembly]] is the [[speaker (politics)|presiding officer]] of the Legislative Assembly. The speaker is an elected member of the parliament and is chosen by the members of the Legislative Assembly to chair their meetings and represent the assembly as a whole at official functions. The corresponding person in the Legislative Council is the [[President of the Victorian Legislative Council|president of the Legislative Council]]. Both the speaker and the president have important powers in controlling [[debate]] in their respective chambers, including the ability to punish members who step out of line or disobey their orders. The presiding officers also have powers to [[summon]] witnesses to the chamber to assist in the legislative role of Parliament.<ref>{{cite act 
| type = Standing orders
| index = Ch 3. 6-22
| date = 18 October 2010
| title = Legislative Assembly Standing Orders
| url = https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/assembly/standing-aamps-sessional-ordersrules/standing-orders/2-legislative-assembly/articles/745-chapter-3-speaker-deputy-speaker-and-acting-speakers
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180512071139/https://parliament.vic.gov.au/assembly/standing-aamps-sessional-ordersrules/standing-orders/2-legislative-assembly/articles/745-chapter-3-speaker-deputy-speaker-and-acting-speakers
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = 12 May 2018
}}</ref><ref>
{{cite act 
| type = Standing orders
| index = Ch2. 2.01-2.14
| date = 31 January 2011
| title = Legislative Council Standing Orders
| url = https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/parliamentary-activity/orders/?amp;view=article&id=688&catid=1
}}</ref>

The presiding officers also oversee votes within their respective chambers and provide proof of assent in the instance that a bill is passed. This proof is needed for a bill to be presented to the governor for royal assent.<ref name=vicconstitution />

The presiding officers' voting roles are different. The speaker of the Assembly only has a casting vote, while the president of the Council only has a deliberative vote. The speaker may therefore only vote when a matter is tied, with their casting vote determining the outcome. This is consistent with the [[Westminster system|Westminster tradition]] of the speaker acting as an impartial arbiter. Some pieces of legislation, such as altering the Constitution, require an absolute majority (45 of the 88 possible votes) to pass. It is therefore mathematically impossible for a speaker to pass such legislation with their casting vote, as the largest possible tied vote is 43:43.<ref name=vicspeakervote>{{cite web |title=Fact Sheet D3: Speaker's Casting Vote |date=12 January 2017 |website=Parliament of Victoria |url=https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/assembly/publications-a-research/fact-sheets/2480-fact-sheet-d2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001194310/http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/assembly/publications-a-research/fact-sheets/2480-fact-sheet-d2 |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 October 2016 |access-date=3 May 2019 }}</ref> The president used to have the same power, but their role has changed over time. Consequently, the president now has a deliberative vote but not a casting vote. This is modelled on the Australian Senate and ensures that a region of Victoria would not be deprived of one of its five votes. A tied vote in the council is considered to have failed to pass regardless of how the president cast their vote. The president does not need to move to one end of the chamber during a division, but instead advises the clerk which way they are voting.<ref name=vicpresident>{{cite web |title=Information Sheet 2: The President |date=3 April 2019 |website=Parliament of Victoria |url=https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/council/publications-a-research/information-sheets/192-legislative-council/information-sheets/716-information-sheet-2-the-president |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408180052/https://parliament.vic.gov.au/council/publications-a-research/information-sheets/192-legislative-council/information-sheets/716-information-sheet-2-the-president |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 April 2019 |access-date=3 May 2019 }}</ref>

==Parliamentary Committees==
[[File:Knight_Kerr_Room.jpg|thumb|300px|Knight Kerr Room, often used by Parliamentary Committees]]
Committees are made of members of either house. They have a specifically defined role designed to seek community input about ideas or to investigate matters Parliament deems important. The membership of a committee is determined by the parliament, usually as a new parliament begins. Each committee contains members of many political parties, not just the governing parties, although the government still generally aims to give itself functional majorities within each committee. Lobbyists, members of the public and organisations communicate with committees in order to give input into the drafting of bills.<ref name="vpcommittee">{{cite web |url=https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/get-involved/committees/ |title=About Committees |date=30 September 2019 |website=Parliament of Victoria |access-date=23 October 2019 }}</ref> The Parliament of Victoria outlines the committee process as:<ref name="vpcommittee" />
# Terms of reference
# Calling for submissions
# Public hearings
# Research
# Reporting to Parliament
# Government response
The government will usually be given six months to respond to the committee's recommendations.<ref name="vpcommittee" /> As they need as broad an understanding as possible of the issues at hand, committees may perform inquiries with the authority to subpoena documents and summon witnesses. This assists with research and is a means of holding parties to account. Committees have broad powers when performing inquiries although there are some legal protections in place for witnesses, similar to those for witnesses in the judicial system.<ref name="Committees">{{cite web |url=https://www.vic.gov.au/guidelines-appearing-and-producing-documents-victorian-inquiries |title=Guidelines for appearing before and producing documents to Victorian inquiries |website=Vic Gov |date=9 April 2019 |publisher=Government of Victoria |access-date=22 October 2019 }}</ref>

The different types of committees are: ''joint investigatory committees'', comprising members of both houses, ''standing committees'', comprising members of the Legislative Council, ''select committees'', comprising members of one house or the other, and ''domestic committees'', which are generally closed to the public as they concern matters of the parliament itself.<ref name="Committees" />

Parliament's current committees are:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/get-involved/committees/ |title=List of Committees |date=3 May 2019 |website=Parliament of Victoria |access-date=22 October 2019 }}</ref>

=== Joint committees ===
* Dispute Resolution
* Electoral Oversight
* Integrity and Oversight
* Public Accounts and Estimates
* Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations

=== Legislative Council committees ===
* Economy and Infrastructure
* Environment and Planning
* Legal and Social Issues
* Privileges
* Procedure

=== Legislative Assembly committees ===
* Economy and Infrastructure
* Environment and Planning
* Legal and Social Issues
* Privileges
* Procedure

==Procedure==
{{Plain image with caption|image=Victorian Parliament Bill Process.png|caption=Typical legislative process of the Victorian Parliament|width=450px|align=right|caption position=bottom}}

Parliamentary days follow a regular routine. Each sitting day begins with a prayer, and also an [[Acknowledgement of country|acknowledgement to country]] in respect to Victoria's Indigenous people. A quorum must be present for a day's proceedings to be legally binding, so the presiding officer will generally wait until enough members are within the chamber before entering. Members may only speak in the chamber when given leave to do so by the presiding officer.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/assembly/publications-a-research/fact-sheets/648-fact-sheet-a1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001175343/http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/assembly/publications-a-research/fact-sheets/648-fact-sheet-a1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 October 2016 |title=Fact Sheet A1: A Typical Sitting Day in the Assembly |date=12 September 2016 |website=Parliament of Victoria |access-date=12 April 2019}}</ref>

A proposed petition, motion or bill can be introduced into either house, but in practice most are introduced into the Legislative Assembly. Any statute bill, with the exception of bills appropriating money for the ordinary annual services of government, must be passed by both Houses before being presented to the governor, who will [[royal assent|sign the bill into law]] on behalf of the [[Monarchy in Australia|King]]. Ordinary appropriation bills need only be passed by the Legislative Assembly before being presented to the governor for royal assent.<ref name=flowchart />

The parliamentary process extends beyond each chamber in turn. Proposed bills and motions will usually be passed separately within their party caucus before they are brought to Parliament. The governing party or parties will also generally only propose bills that have the approval of the relevant minister, and which have already been agreed upon during a cabinet meeting. Cabinet members have large flexibility in drafting bills. They are nonetheless limited by policies that require them to propose bills only within their specific portfolios, and to only allow amendments to existing bills that are relevant to the bill in question.<ref>title=The Cabinet Handbook |url=https://www.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2019-01/the-cabinet-handbook.pdf |date=January 2019 |author=Government of Victoria |accessdate=19 March 2020</ref> Input is sought from various public groups, private interests and public servants.<ref name=flowchart>
{{cite web
 |url=https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/about/how-a-law-is-made/4-about-parliament/articles/976-flow-chart
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406053149/https://parliament.vic.gov.au/about/how-a-law-is-made/4-about-parliament/articles/976-flow-chart
 |url-status=dead
 |archive-date=6 April 2019
 |title=How a law is made in Victoria flow chart
 |date=8 June 2010
 |website=Parliament of Victoria
 |access-date=19 March 2019}}
</ref>

===Committee process===

As a general rule, official government policy is based on advice given by a committee. This ensures further public input as committees consist of members from many parties. Bills are then drafted by the Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel to ensure that all relevant clauses and technicalities in existing laws are covered. Any member, whether in government or otherwise, may draft their own bill. Bills are almost always tabled to Parliament by a minister; any bills proposed by someone other than a Cabinet member are referred to as a private member's bill. Any private member's bill is usually drafted by the member in question without input from the OCPC.<ref name="How a law is made">{{cite web |date=11 January 2013 |title=How a law is made |url=https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/about/how-a-law-is-made |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318032305/https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/about/how-a-law-is-made |archive-date=18 March 2018 |access-date= |website= |publisher=Parliament of Victoria}}</ref>

===Debate and vote===
The presiding officer of a house determines when a bill, motion or petition is tabled by adding it to the notice paper for a given sitting day. Members must provide notice so that enough time is available to allow for proper debate and scrutiny. The presiding officer will also schedule subsequent readings based on how each house votes; if the bill is passed on its second reading, then it is common to provide for two weeks before the next.<ref name=nlavic>{{cite web |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/people/467913?c=people |title=Victoria. Parliament. Legislative Assembly. 1856- |date=2008 |website=National Library of Australia |access-date=7 April 2019}}</ref>

A bill usually goes through three readings once it is tabled in a house. The bill's details remain confidential except to parliament, other than the title, during the first reading to the house from which it originated. Members have a chance to read and analyse the bill at their leisure. It goes to a second reading if the house moves to do so. The Assembly refers to this as ''Consideration in Detail'' whereas it is called ''Committee of the Whole'' in the council. Debates occur at this stage, as members of the house may scrutinise the bill's merits, propose amendments or move that the bill be dismissed altogether. The bill will be read clause by clause, allowing for all technicalities and edge cases to be discussed. The house will often vote on amendments at this stage as a result of debate and discussion. Any proposed amendments to bills under debate must be relevant.<ref name=amendments>{{cite web |url=https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/assembly/publications-a-research/fact-sheets/2477-fact-sheet-c4 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001175332/http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/assembly/publications-a-research/fact-sheets/2477-fact-sheet-c4 |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 October 2016 |title=Fact Sheet C4: Amendments |author=Parliament of Victoria |date=13 October 2017 |access-date=19 March 2020 }}</ref> Some bills, such as those that continue routine matters of governance or that do not face opposition, may skip this stage by a unanimous vote. Finally, the house may then go to a third reading, typically two weeks after debate is adjourned following the second reading. The bill is read in full in its final form to ensure that all members can scrutinise the final bill and its amendments (if any). The house's formal vote after the third reading passes the bill in that house and the presiding officer certifies it. This process must occur in both houses for a bill to become law.<ref name="How a law is made" />

Voting in the house can be either be passed by the presiding officer simply asking members to call out their assent by stating, "Aye," or dissent by stating, "No." They then decide which side wins based on the volume. This process of voting "on the voices" is common for matters with little opposition. However, any member may challenge the presiding officer's ruling and ask for a division. This leads to bells being rung and members either stand to the presiding officer's right if they assent or to the left if they dissent. A count is conducted and a record of how each member voted is taken. If a house amends the draft bill, then the other house must separately agree to the same amendments. This means that it is returned to the other chamber for another vote. The bill is usually not read out in full again, rather only the amendment in question.<ref>{{citation
 | chapter-url = https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/assembly/standing-aamps-sessional-ordersrules/standing-orders/2-legislative-assembly/articles/761-chapter-19-divisions#so162
 | title = Victorian Legislative Assembly Standing Orders
 | chapter = Chapter 19
 | date = 10 February 2011
 | publisher = Parliament of Victoria
 | access-date = 20 March 2019}}
</ref>

===Royal assent===

Once both houses agree to the bill, and both presiding officers have certified the votes, it is presented to the governor. The governor provides royal assent on behalf of the King,<ref name=governor>{{cite web |title=Government in Australia |date=17 December 2018 |website=Governor of Victoria |publisher=State of Victoria |url=https://governor.vic.gov.au/government-house/government-australia |access-date=9 May 2019}}</ref> after which the bill with either take effect immediately, or at a time specified in the bill. The governor may not refuse to assent to a bill, except possibly in extreme circumstances where the judiciary and all other constitutional safeguards were unavailable.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Taylor |first=Greg |title=The constitution of Victoria |date=2006 |publisher=The Federation Press |isbn=978-1-86287-612-5 |location=Annandale, NSW |pages=132–4 |language=en-AU}}</ref> The governor also has the formal power to return a bill to the houses with suggested amendments, however this is power exercised only on ministerial advice and has only been used to correct minor errors discovered in a bill before it has received assent.<ref>{{Cite Legislation AU|Vic|act|ca1975188|Constitution Act 1975|14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Taylor |first=Greg |title=The constitution of Victoria |date=2006 |publisher=The Federation Press |isbn=978-1-86287-612-5 |location=Annandale, NSW |pages=303–4 |language=en-AU}}</ref>

==Functions==

{{See also|Parliamentary system|Westminster System}}
[[File:Acts_of_the_Parliament_of_Victoria_by_year_(1996-2024).png|thumb|Bar chart showing the number of acts of the Parliament of Victoria by year (1996-2024)]]
The parliament has the power to make laws for Victoria on any matter,<ref name=vicconstitution /> subject only to limitations placed on it by the [[Constitution of Australia]], which specifies which matters fall under the jurisdiction of the [[Australian Government|Commonwealth]]. The Commonwealth Constitution identifies three areas of legislative power: ''exclusive powers'', which may only be exercised by the federal parliament, ''concurrent powers'', where may be exercised by both the states or federal parliament, and ''residual powers'' which remain the exclusive prerogative of state parliaments.<ref name=powers>{{cite web |title=The People and the Australian Constitution |date=2017 |publisher=Victoria Law Foundation |url=https://www.victorialawfoundation.org.au/sites/default/files/resources/the_people_and_the_australian_constitution.pdf |access-date=6 May 2019}}</ref> Concurrent powers are limited further, as when a state law and federal law come into conflict, the federal law prevails to the extent of any inconsistency. Exclusive powers deal with matters that affect the entire nation or anything occurring on federal land. For instance, no state may create its own currency, nor raise its own defence force.<ref name=ausconstitution>{{cite act |type=Act |index=63 & 64 Vic. C.12 |date=1900 |legislature=Parliament of the United Kingdom |title=An Act to constitute the Commonwealth of Australia 1900 |url=https://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/resources/transcripts/cth1_doc_1900.pdf}}</ref> However, the federal parliament may only make laws for matters to which it has been specifically granted the ability to do so by Australia's Constitution. Therefore, the remaining powers remain the legal domain of each state parliament in turn.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Senate/Powers_practice_n_procedures/Odgers_Australian_Senate_Practice/Chapter_01#h08 |title=Odgers' Australian Senate Practice Fourteenth Edition Chapter 1 – The Senate and its constitutional role – Legislative Powers|year=2017 |access-date=22 March 2019}}</ref> The Treasury Corporation of Victoria outlines that the Victorian Parliament's key responsibilities are: "education, public health, police and justice, transport, roads and railways, industry, mining and agriculture, public works, ports, forestry, electricity, gas, and water supply and irrigation".<ref name=tcv>{{cite web |title=State & Commonwealth Relationship |date=2012 |publisher=Treasury Corporation of Victoria |url=https://www.tcv.vic.gov.au/page/Victorias_Economy/State__Commonwealth_Relationship/ |access-date=6 May 2019}}</ref>

The parliament may levy its own taxes, however, income taxes have been the exclusive domain of the federal government for decades. The state government's chief means of revenue (outside of grants from the federal government) comes from a combination of payroll taxes, stamp duties on housing and vehicles and a portion of the goods and services tax that is divided amongst all states.<ref name=tcv /> The Victorian Government may never levy new taxes, nor spend funds unless it has been specifically authorised to do so by the parliament. It may spend funds raised by taxes from the federal government, although such spending must still be approved by the Victorian Parliament. Victoria has deferred its powers to the federal parliament over time as Australia has concentrated power into its federal government. This is most often done with the practice of "tied grants", whereby the federal government funds projects that are administered at a state level, such as road and rail, but these grants are only given on the condition that the Victorian Parliament also assents to preconditions laid out by its federal counterpart.<ref name=tiedgrants>{{cite web| last1=Bennett|first1=Scott|last2=Webb|first2=Richard |url=http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/RP0708/08rp17|title=Specific purpose payments and the Australian federal system|date=1 January 2008 |access-date=22 March 2019}}</ref>

The Parliament of Victoria is a bicameral legislature. It usually fulfils its legislative role by first proposing bills in the Legislative Assembly, and then reviewing them in the Legislative Council. Common practice is that the houses sit in staggered dates; the Assembly usually meeting first in order to pass bills that the Council later debates. These houses sit in separate chambers.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/about/daily-calendar/yearly-sitting-dates |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100829003948/http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/about/daily-calendar/yearly-sitting-dates |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 August 2010 |title=Yearly Sitting Dates |website=Parliament of Victoria |access-date=22 March 2019}}</ref>

The parliament also has the ability to amend Victoria's constitution, although this power is subject to strict requirements. All sections must be passed by an absolute majority of each house (currently 45 in the Assembly and 21 in the council), regardless of how many members are present in the chamber.<ref name="aphhistory" /> Alterations to Victoria's Constitution made in 2003 stipulate that some sections may not be modified without a three-fifths majority of both houses, while others may not be amended without a public referendum. However, since neither of these requirements were themselves passed by such majorities it is unlikely that the clauses could not simply be removed by an absolute majority in both chambers at a later date.<ref name="taylor">{{cite journal |last=Taylor |first=Greg |date=2016 |title=Victoria's Parliament and Constitution: The Bracks/Brumby Legacy |url=https://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/VicULawJJl/2016/5.html |journal=Victoria University Law and Justice Journal |volume=6 |issue=1 |doi=10.15209/vulj.v6i1.1063 |access-date=10 June 2019 |doi-access=free}}</ref>

Parliament undertakes investigative and research roles. Each house has a number of committees that investigate proposed laws in detail before they are considered by the whole house. They may be formed for research purposes or to seek community input. This function is assisted by the fact that committees include members of more than one political party. Some of the committee work is carried out by the Joint Committees which consist of members from all sides of politics and from both chambers. Like the parliament, the committees cease to exist when the parliament is dissolved by the governor, and need to be recreated after each general election. This means that often the names and jurisdiction of the committees are changed.<ref name="vpcommittee" />

The houses provide oversight of the government of the day. Committees may also investigate the effectiveness of existing laws and regulations. Similarly, parliamentary committees may also investigate potential breaches of law or conventions by the government. General practice is that committees are given two weeks to investigate potential impacts on the wider community any bill may have as part of a bill's second reading within a house.<ref name="functions">{{cite web |url=https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/etc/inquiries/inquiry/103 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110228132406/http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/etc/inquiries/inquiry/103 |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 February 2011 |title=Functions |date=20 February 2019 |website=Parliament of Victoria |access-date=22 March 2019}}</ref>

==Conflict between the houses==
The Victorian Parliament's process of resolving disputes between the two houses is modelled on the Australian Parliament's. However, the process also includes additional steps and modifications. A bill that is passed by the Assembly but rejected by the council, termed a "Disputed Bill" may be amended by the council and returned to the Assembly within 2 months. If the Assembly does not endorse the amendments then a dispute resolution committee may be formed. This process does not apply to ordinary appropriation bills, which need only pass the Legislative Assembly. The committee must consist of 7 members from the Assembly and 5 from the council, each appointed by their respective house. This committee is often formed following an election in anticipation of its usage later. The committee is given 30 days to resolve the dispute in secret and then present their compromise bill to Parliament.<ref name=deadlock />

If the committee either cannot reach an agreement, or the parliament does not pass the committee's suggestion, then the bill is termed a "Deadlocked Bill." At this point, the Premier may advise for a fresh election of the Assembly (and only the Assembly), after which the bill may then go before a joint sitting of both houses. A Deadlocked Bill would likely pass a joint sitting, due to the fact that the Assembly is more than twice the size of the council. Such a bill is treated as though it has passed both houses in the normal fashion.<ref name=deadlock>{{cite act |type=act |index=65A-G |date=1975 |legislature=Victorian Parliament |title=Constitution Act 1975 |url=http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/LDMS/LTObject_Store/LTObjSt1.nsf/DDE300B846EED9C7CA257616000A3571/E9AF39B1A5312645CA257761001C82E7/$FILE/75-8750a195.pdf}}</ref>

==Relationship with government==
{{See also|Government of Victoria}}

Parliament functions as the legislative branch of the Victorian level of government. It passes laws or amends existing laws to assist in the governance of the state on behalf the Victorian people, to whom Parliament is answerable through elections. Victoria uses a blend of statutory law and common law. The parliament makes statutory law while common law is decided by the judicial branch of government. The government follows the Westminster tradition of having an executive government whose members come from an elected legislature, a fact that is enshrined in Victorian law.<ref name=VPSCparliament />

Parliament holds de facto power over other branches of Victoria's level of government due to its exclusive power to appropriate funds for any government business. This is why holding confidence of supply within the Assembly is crucial to any party's ability to govern; loss of funds could prevent any government business. Parliament's ability to scrutinise government business is assisted by independent arbiters such as the auditor-general and ombudsman. Parliament has specifically legislated for these positions, known as "Officers of Parliament" to act as representatives for the public interest. The powers of these officers are designed so that they may operate independent of interference. The auditor-general, for example, is legislated for in the ''Audit Act 1994'' and oversees the management of public assets and budgetary audits.<ref name=VPSCparliament>{{cite web
 |url=https://vpsc.vic.gov.au/html-resources/welcome-to-government/3-parliament/
 |title=Parliament of Victoria
 |date=10 July 2018
 |website=Victorian Public Service Commission
 |publisher=VPSC
 |access-date=28 May 2019
}}</ref>

===Governor===
The [[Monarchy of Australia|monarch]] (King [[Charles III]]) is technically part of Parliament. The monarch's powers are exercised by the governor who is in turn appointed by the King on the advice of the premier.<ref name=governor /> Among the governor's vice-regal duties are the opening of Parliament and the signing of acts that are passed by the Victorian Parliament. The governor retains executive powers over the parliament, such as swearing in ministers, issuing writs for election and dissolving the parliament. The governor generally acts on the advice of the premier and the ministers of government when performing these functions. This following of advice reflects how the governor's role has changed over time from a powerful executive with veto authority to that of an advisory role limited by convention and precedent.<ref name="electoral system" /> However, the parliament is obliged to observe the governor's three rights in overseeing it: the right to be consulted, the right to warn, and the right to encourage. The governor may insist on being consulted on matters before the parliament at any time.<ref name="VPSC">{{cite web
 |url=https://vpsc.vic.gov.au/html-resources/welcome-to-government/2-victorias-system-of-government/
 |title=Victoria's system of government
 |date=10 July 2018
 |website=Victorian Public Service Commission
 |publisher=VPSC
 |access-date=20 March 2019
}}</ref>

The governor's role includes formally opening sessions of parliament with a speech outlining the government's legislative agenda. Victoria also has a lieutenant-governor to fulfil the functions of the office when the governor is otherwise unavailable.<ref name="VPSC" />

The governor is not subordinate to the federal [[Governor General of Australia|governor-general]]. All Australian state governors have jurisdiction over their respective states with their commissions coming directly from the monarch.<ref name=governor />

===Premier and ministry===
The leader of the [[political party]] or coalition with a majority of seats in the [[Victorian Legislative Assembly|Legislative Assembly]] is invited by the [[Governor of Victoria|governor]] to form a government. The leader of that party is appointed [[Premier of Victoria|premier]] and other senior members are appointed [[minister (government)|ministers]] with various [[Ministry (government department)|portfolio]] responsibilities. The premier and the ministers are generally responsible for tabling legislation to the parliament. The premier is, for the most part, the most powerful executive role within the Victorian government. Similarly, the ministers each oversee a specific task related to a chief responsibility of the government. The premier and the ministry separately form the Victorian Government–the executive branch of the Victorian level of government.

The ministers form the cabinet, a group who meets to discuss and decide the direction of the government. Their specific roles and responsibilities are determined by their party caucuses. There are currently twenty-two ministers within the cabinet. Some responsibilities are delegated to fourteen parliamentary secretaries, who act as junior ministers and usually do not sit in cabinet meetings. The ministers are also referred to as "the front bench" as they sit on the benches at the front of each legislative chamber.

The premier and the ministers must be sitting members of parliament. There is no legal requirement that any of the executive government come from any particular house. However, since the Legislative Assembly must provide [[confidence and supply]] to the government of the day, the premier is, by convention, a member of the Legislative Assembly.<ref name="VPSC" />

===Parties===
Political parties form a central part of the parliamentary system. The government is opposed by an official opposition. The leader of the largest party in opposition becomes the [[Leader of the Opposition (Victoria)|leader of the Opposition]]. The opposition plays a central role in debating government ideas as well as scrutinising the government's business and its agenda. However, the opposition's power is limited while the government commands a majority in the Legislative Assembly due to the traditionally strong party discipline throughout Australia.<ref name="povparties" /> Parties must have at least 500 members on the Victorian electoral roll, have a party constitution and register with the [[Victorian Electoral Commission]] to receive official status.<ref name="povparties">{{cite web
 |url=https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/about/the-parliamentary-system/parties-aamp-factions
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110219202838/http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/about/the-parliamentary-system/parties-aamp-factions
 |url-status=dead
 |archive-date=19 February 2011
 |date=31 July 2017
 |title=Political Parties
 |website=Parliament of Victoria
 |access-date=21 March 2019
}}</ref>

The [[Australian Labor Party (Victorian Branch)|Labor Party]] has been in government since 4 December 2014, led by the [[Premier of Victoria|premier]] and [[Victorian Labor Party#Victorian Labor leaders|leader of the Labor Party]] in Victoria, [[Jacinta Allan]].

The [[Leader of the Opposition (Victoria)|leader of the Opposition]] is [[Jess Wilson]], who was elected as the [[Victorian Liberal Party#Leaders|leader of the Liberal Party]] on the [[2025 Victorian Liberal Party leadership spill|18th of November 2025]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Jess Wilson becomes first woman to lead Victorian Liberals |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-18/victorian-liberal-leadership-spill-battin-wilson/106021260 |access-date=18 November 2025 |work=ABC News |date=17 November 2025 |language=en-AU}}</ref> The [[Australian Greens Victoria|Greens]], the third biggest party in parliament, are led by [[Ellen Sandell]]; Sandell was elected leader on the 23rd of April 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smethurst |first=Broede Carmody, Annika |date=2024-04-23 |title=Ellen Sandell the stability choice for ambitious Victorian Greens MPs |url=https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/new-greens-leader-vows-to-continue-housing-fight-targets-more-state-seats-20240423-p5flw8.html |access-date=2025-09-03 |website=The Age |language=en}}</ref>

==Parliamentary sovereignty==
[[Parliamentary sovereignty|The sovereign authority of parliament]] in Australia exists because of three key factors that include constitutional provisions and dual federalism and monarchy. The Parliament of Victoria exercises its power within Commonwealth constitutional boundaries and receives and authorizations from the Crown. The Commonwealth Parliament has completed legislative authority in defined areas yet state legislation comes second to federal law when both governments exercise concurrent powers.<ref name="ausconstitution" /> Parliament of Victoria exercises sovereign authority within its jurisdiction after the Government affirms decisions and the Governor's power descends from the Monarch.<ref name="separationpowers">{{cite thesis |last=Alvey |first=John Ralph |title=The Separation of Powers in Australia: Issues for the States |date=December 2005 |access-date=7 June 2019 |publisher=Queensland Institute of Technology |url=http://www.cpahq.org/cpahq/cpadocs/The%20Separation%20of%20Powers%20in%20Australia%20Issues%20for%20the%20States.pdf}}</ref> The constitutional system of Victoria differs from the Commonwealth Constitution because it grant Parliament the power to direct both the executive branch and judicial system.<ref name="separationpowers" />

After the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 passed the government needed to address concerns about its impact on parliamentary supreme powers. Judicial authorities were given the power to evaluate human rights abuse yet the judicial functions purely through legal interpretation without the power to repeal acts passed by the Parliament.<ref name="taylor" /> The powers of the legislature can be modified or canceled by Parliament thereby maintaining its control over legislation.<ref name="deakinlaw">{{cite journal |last=Meagher |first=Dan |date=2005 |title=Taking Parliamentary Sovereignty seriously within a Bill of Rights Framework |url=https://www5.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/DeakinLawRw/2005/36.html |journal=Deakin Law Review |volume=10 |issue=2 |pages=686 |doi=10.21153/dlr2005vol10no2art299 |access-date=7 June 2019 |doi-access=free |hdl-access=free |hdl=10536/DRO/DU:30002942}}</ref> According to the Charter the power of future Parliaments remains free to alter or eliminate legislation passed by previous Parliaments.<ref name="Williams">{{cite thesis |last=Williams |first=George |title=The Role of Parliament under an Australian Charter of Human Rights |date=8 July 2009 |access-date=7 June 2019 |publisher=Australia-New Zealand Scrutiny of Legislation Conference |url=https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Senate/Whats_On/Conferences/sl_conference/papers/williams}}</ref>

The Victorian Constitution underwent amendments in 2003 that established requirements for public voting on electoral system adjustments as well as public official independence modifications. Legal experts believe the previsions for constitutional change lack enforcement power because the doctrine of parliamentary supremacy enables legislative modifications through basic parliamentary majorities.<ref name="taylor" />

State policies remain subject to federal government regulation because funding depends on specific program conditions. The practice affects state-level decision making without binding Victoria's Parliament because it cannot legally enforce the acceptance of such funding requests.<ref name="tiedgrants" /> Form a financial standpoint Victoria relies on federal funding yet it continues to retain full power in lawmaking.

==Salary and allowances==
Members of both the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council are paid a base salary of $182,413 per annum (as of 1 July 2019).<ref name=2019Pay>{{cite web | date = 17 September 2019 | title = Victorian Premier to become highest-paid state leader as tribunal grants pay rise for MPs | author = Richard Willingham | publisher = ABC News | url = https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-17/victorian-premier-to-become-highest-paid-state-leader-pay-rise/11520214 | access-date = 17 September 2019}}</ref> In June 2020, the Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal announced Victorian MPs would receive no increase in salaries for the financial year 2020–21.<ref name=2020Pay2>{{cite web | date = 29 June 2020 | title = Vic MPs cop COVID pay freeze | publisher = williamsummers.blog | url = https://williamsummers.blog/2020/06/29/vic-mps-cop-covid-pay-freeze/ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200630222246/https://williamsummers.blog/2020/06/29/vic-mps-cop-covid-pay-freeze/ | url-status = usurped | archive-date = 30 June 2020 | access-date = 29 June 2020}}</ref><ref name=2020Pay>{{cite web | date = 29 June 2020 | title = Members of Parliament (Victoria) Annual Adjustment Determination 2020 | publisher = Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal | url = https://www.vic.gov.au/members-parliament-victoria-annual-adjustment-determination-2020/members-parliament-victoria-annual | access-date = 29 June 2020}}</ref>

Office holders such as the president, speaker, ministers and party leaders receive additional salary on top of the base salary. The premier is paid an additional 100 percent of the base salary; the leader of the Opposition and government ministers an additional 75 percent; the president and speaker an additional 65 percent.<ref name=AdditionalPay>{{cite web | year =1968 | title = PARLIAMENTARY SALARIES AND SUPERANNUATION ACT 1968 (amended) | work = An Act relating to Parliamentary Salaries and Allowances and Parliamentary Superannuation and for other purposes. | publisher = Parliament of Victoria | url = http://www8.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/legis/vic/consol_act/psasa1968427/s6.html | access-date = 22 November 2018}}</ref>

Members are also entitled to receive various allowances for travel and work costs. Members representing non-Melbourne electorates are also entitled to a second home allowance.<ref name=Allowances>{{cite web | year =2017 | title = Parliamentary Salaries and Superannuation (Allowances) Regulations 2013 (amended 2017) | work = An Act to provide for the allowances payable to members under section 6(1)(e) of the Parliamentary Salaries and Superannuation Act 1968 | publisher = Parliament of Victoria | url = http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/LDMS/LTObject_Store/ltobjst10.nsf/DDE300B846EED9C7CA257616000A3571/6B1AC6FE85BD69D8CA258176007A16FC/$FILE/13-83sra004%20authorised.pdf
 | access-date = 22 November 2018}}</ref>

Prior to 1870 only ministers and office holders were provided with a salary. This in effect meant that members had to be wealthy enough to support themselves before seeking election to Parliament. In 1870 the Victorian Parliament provided for the reimbursing of members in relation to their expenses in attending Parliament, in effect the first salary for members of the Victorian Parliament. At first passed as temporary measure, it later became permanent. The act provided for a payment of £300 p.a. to those who did not already receive a salary.<ref>{{cite web | title = Interactive Timeline  | publisher = Parliament of Victoria | url = http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/about/the-history-of-parliament/interactive-timeline | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100905113225/http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/about/the-history-of-parliament/interactive-timeline | url-status = dead | archive-date = 5 September 2010 | access-date = 19 March 2011}}</ref> This value is difficult to place in a modern context, due to Australia's conversion to a decimal currency and the smaller economy of the time. This salary would equate to approximately $35,000 in 2018 dollars based on inflation, but could be as much as approximately $340,000 when measuring it as a relative income of the time.<ref>{{cite web | date = 22 March 2019 | title =Measuring worth
 | url = https://www.measuringworth.com/calculators/australiacompare/relativevalue.php | access-date = 22 March 2019}}</ref>

==Current Parliament==
{{See also|2022 Victorian state election|Results of the 2022 Victorian state election (Legislative Assembly)|Results of the 2022 Victorian state election (Legislative Council)}}

===2022 Election===


{{Australian elections/Title row
| title        = Victorian state election, 26 November 2022<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/results/state-election-results/2022-state-election-results|work=[[Victorian Electoral Commission]]|title=2022 State Election results|access-date=12 February 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/voting/narracan-district-election/narracan-district-supplementary-election-results|work=[[Victorian Electoral Commission]]|title=Narracan District supplementary election results|access-date=12 February 2023}}</ref>
| house        = [[Victorian Legislative Assembly|Legislative Assembly]]
| series       = Victorian state election
| back         = 2018
| forward      = 2026
| enrolled     = 4,394,465
| total_votes  = 3,868,615
| turnout %    = 88.03
| turnout chg  = −2.13
| informal     = 214,410
| informal %   = 5.54
| informal chg = –0.29
}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary|
  |government = yes
  |party_id    = Labor VIC
  |votes       = 1,339,496
  |votes %     = 36.66
  |votes chg   = –6.20
  |seats       = 56
  |seats chg   = +1
}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary|
  |party_id    = Liberal VIC
  |votes       = 1,087,413
  |votes %     = 29.76
  |votes chg   = −0.67
  |seats       = 19
  |seats chg   = –2
}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary|
  |party_id    = Greens VIC
  |votes       = 420,201
  |votes %     = 11.50
  |votes chg   = +0.79
  |seats       = 4
  |seats chg   = +1
}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary|
  |party_id    = Nationals VIC
  |votes       = 172,687
  |votes %     = 4.73
  |votes chg   = −0.04
  |seats       = 9
  |seats chg   = +3
}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary|
  |party_id    = Family First 2021
  |votes       = 111,478
  |votes %     = 3.05
  |votes chg   = +3.05
  |seats       = 0
  |seats chg   = ±0
}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary|
  |party_id    = Animal Justice
  |votes       = 91,646
  |votes %     = 2.51
  |votes chg   = +0.69
  |seats       = 0
  |seats chg   = ±0
}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary|
  |party_id    = Freedom
  |votes       = 64,066
  |votes %     = 1.75
  |votes chg   = +1.75
  |seats       = 0
  |seats chg   = ±0
}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary|
  |party_id    = Victorian Socialists
  |votes       = 48,865
  |votes %     = 1.34
  |votes chg   = +0.90
  |seats       = 0
  |seats chg   = ±0
}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary|
  |party_id    = Democratic Labour
  |votes       = 45,026
  |votes %     = 1.23
  |votes chg   = +0.54
  |seats       = 0
  |seats chg   = ±0
}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary|
  |party_id    = Liberal Democrats
  |votes       = 14,116
  |votes %     = 0.39
  |votes chg   = +0.27
  |seats       = 0
  |seats chg   = ±0
}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary|
  |party_id    = Shooters, Fishers and Farmers
  |votes       = 11,588
  |votes %     = 0.32
  |votes chg   = –0.37
  |seats       = 0
  |seats chg   = ±0
}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary|
  |party_id    = Reason
  |votes       = 10,907
  |votes %     = 0.30
  |votes chg   = –0.06
  |seats       = 0
  |seats chg   = ±0
}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary|
  |party_id    = One Nation
  |votes       = 10,323
  |votes %     = 0.28
  |votes chg   = +0.28
  |seats       = 0
  |seats chg   = ±0
}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary|
  |party_id    = Derryn Hinch's Justice Party
  |votes       = 7,927
  |votes %     = 0.22
  |votes chg   = –0.04
  |seats       = 0
  |seats chg   = ±0
}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary|
  |party_id    = Legalise Cannabis
  |votes       = 5,838
  |votes %     = 0.16
  |votes chg   = +0.16
  |seats       = 0
  |seats chg   = ±0
}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary|
  |party_id    = New Democrats
  |votes       = 4,874
  |votes %     = 0.13
  |votes chg   = +0.13
  |seats       = 0
  |seats chg   = ±0
}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary|
  |party_id    = Angry Victorians
  |votes       = 3,037
  |votes %     = 0.08
  |votes chg   = +0.08
  |seats       = 0
  |seats chg   = ±0
}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary|
  |party_id    = Health Australia
  |votes       = 862
  |votes %     = 0.02
  |votes chg   = +0.02
  |seats       = 0
  |seats chg   = ±0
}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary|
  |party_id    = Transport Matters
  |votes       = 605
  |votes %     = 0.02
  |votes chg   = –0.27
  |seats       = 0
  |seats chg   = ±0
}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary|
  |party_id    = Companions and Pets
  |votes       = 526
  |votes %     = 0.01
  |votes chg   = +0.01
  |seats       = 0
  |seats chg   = ±0
}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary|
  |party_id    = Independent
  |votes       = 202,724
  |votes %     = 5.55
  |votes chg   = –0.52
  |seats       = 0
  |seats chg   = –3
}}
{{Australian elections/Total row |
  |total_votes = 3,654,205
  |total_seats = 88
}}
{{Australian elections/2PP summary |
  |party id 1  = Labor VIC
  |2pp votes 1 = 1,989,350
  |2pp % 1     = 55.00
  |2pp chg 1   = –2.30
  |party id 2  = Liberal VIC
  |party 2     = [[Liberal Party of Australia (Victorian Division)|Liberal]]/[[National Party of Australia – Victoria|National]]
  |2pp votes 2 = 1,627,650
  |2pp % 2     = 45.00
  |2pp chg 2   = +2.30
}}
|}


{{Australian elections/Title row|title=Victorian state election, 26 November 2022|house=[[Victorian Legislative Council|Legislative Council]]|back=2018|forward=2026|series=Victorian state election|enrolled=4,394,465|total_votes=3,877,132|turnout %=88.23|turnout chg=−1.90|informal=124,726|informal %=3.22|informal chg=–0.74|table style=float:left;clear:left;margin-left:1em;}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary||party_id=Labor VIC|votes=1,238,710|votes %=33.01|votes chg=–6.21|seats=15|seats chg=–3}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary||party_id=Liberal VIC|party=[[Liberal Party of Australia (Victorian Division)|Liberal]] (metropolitan)|votes=636,485|votes %=16.96|votes chg=–0.19|seats=8|seats chg=+1}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary||party_id=Liberal Nationals|party=[[Liberal Party of Australia (Victorian Division)|Liberal]]/[[National Party of Australia – Victoria|National]]|votes=468,289|votes %=12.48|votes chg=+0.21|seats=6|seats chg=+2}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary||party_id=Greens VIC|votes=387,190|votes %=10.32|votes chg=+1.07|seats=4|seats chg=+3}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary||party_id=Legalise Cannabis|votes=153,347|votes %=4.09|votes chg=+4.09|seats=2|seats chg=+2}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary||party_id=Democratic Labour|votes=131,600|votes %=3.51|votes chg=+1.41|seats=1|seats chg=+1}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary||party_id=Liberal Democrats|votes=99,054|votes %=2.64|votes chg=+0.14|seats=1|seats chg=–1}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary||party_id=Shooters, Fishers and Farmers|votes=76,742|votes %=2.05|votes chg=–0.98|seats=1|seats chg=±0}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary||party_id=One Nation|votes=76,734|votes %=2.04|votes chg=+2.04|seats=1|seats chg=+1}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary||party_id=Family First 2021|votes=75,283|votes %=2.01|votes chg=+2.01|seats=0|seats chg=±0}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary||party_id=Derryn Hinch's Justice Party|votes=57,381|votes %=1.53|votes chg=–2.22|seats=0|seats chg=–3}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary||party_id=Animal Justice|votes=56,819|votes %=1.51|votes chg=–0.96|seats=1|seats chg=±0}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary||party_id=Victorian Socialists|votes=52,245|votes %=1.39|votes chg=+0.48|seats=0|seats chg=±0}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary||party_id=Reason|votes=47,070|votes %=1.25|votes chg=–0.11|seats=0|seats chg=–1}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary||party_id=Freedom|votes=39,910|votes %=1.06|votes chg=+1.06|seats=0|seats chg=±0}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary||party_id=Restore Democracy|votes=31,262|votes %=0.83|votes chg=+0.83|seats=0|seats chg=±0}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary||party_id=United Australia Party (current)|votes=31,043|votes %=0.83|votes chg=+0.83|seats=0|seats chg=±0}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary||party_id=Health Australia|votes=21,694|votes %=0.58|votes chg=–0.21|seats=0|seats chg=±0}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary||party_id=Sustainable Australia|votes=17,537|votes %=0.47|votes chg=–0.36|seats=0|seats chg=±0}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary||party_id=Companions and Pets|votes=16,464|votes %=0.44|votes chg=+0.44|seats=0|seats chg=±0}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary||party_id=Angry Victorians|votes=14,896|votes %=0.40|votes chg=+0.40|seats=0|seats chg=±0}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary||party_id=Transport Matters|votes=10,605|votes %=0.28|votes chg=–0.33|seats=0|seats chg=–1}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary||party_id=New Democrats|votes=7,743|votes %=0.21|votes chg=+0.21|seats=0|seats chg=±0}}
{{Australian elections/Party summary||party_id=Independent|votes=4,303|votes %=0.11|votes chg=+0.04|seats=0|seats chg=±0}}
{{Australian elections/Total row||total_votes=3,752,406|total_seats=40}}
|}

{{Clear}}

==See also==
{{stack|{{Portal|Victoria}}}}
* [[List of Victorian Legislative Council appointments]]
* [[2022 Victorian state election]]
* [[First Peoples' Assembly]]
* [[Victoria State Government]]
* [[List of official openings by Elizabeth II in Australia]]
* [[Parliament railway station]]
* [[Parliaments of the Australian states and territories]]
* [[List of longest-serving members of the Parliament of Victoria]]

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite journal |last = Cowen |first = Zelman | title = A Historical Survey of the Victorian Constitution, 1856-1956 |url = https://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/MelbULawRw/1957/2.pdf |year=1957 |volume=9 |journal = Melbourne University Law Review |issue = 1 |pages=9–63 |access-date = 26 February 2021 }}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Parliament of Victoria}}
* [http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au Parliament of Victoria]
* {{Twitter}}
* [http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/consol_act/ca1975188/ Constitution of Victoria (1975)]

{{Coord|display=title|-37.811055|144.97329|type:landmark_region:AU}}

{{Members of the Parliament of Victoria}}
{{Parliaments of Australia}}
{{Government of Victoria}}
{{Victoria}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Parliament of Victoria| ]]
[[Category:Bicameral legislatures|Victoria]]
[[Category:1856 establishments in Australia]]