To Save Victoria, We Must Ensure a Minority Government in November

With no major party expected to secure a majority, we can expect a divided election result, but in that division is a hopeful opportunity. The opportunity to intentionally elect a minority government that includes at least a few principled Independents willing to bridge divides and bring adult supervision back to Victoria’s Parliament.

None of the established party leaders can deliver the changes we deserve. Whatever they promise, the major parties are incapable of delivering genuine reform out of a sense of public good. The nature of party politics won’t allow it. Instead, they must be compelled to reform by the voices of their electorates, backed by a few principled independents ready to hold ministers to account and reject political theatre. When minority governments force the Major Parties to share power with Independents, the public wins.

If you think it can’t be done, look to the last minority government in Victoria in 1999 when three independents held the balance of power and brokered a Charter of Good Governance that led to improved anti-corruption oversight, responsible investment in neglected services, parliamentary reforms, and a durable, more open government. Crossbench oversight meant every piece of legislation had to be publicly explained and justified before it could be enacted.

Certainly, the major parties will warn us about the risks of a hung parliament. But when they do, remind them the sky did not fall in 1999. Thanks to that minority government, Victorians now enjoy fixed-term elections. That means, when we combine a fixed-term parliament with a minority government and a few independents to hold it together, we can effectively prevent any party from dominating with minimal risk. This way, the real risks are worn by the individual Members of Parliament who must find ways to cooperate or suffer the judgment of their electorates. And, for the first time in a long time, negotiations would require collaboration, leading to more balanced and beneficial policy for all of us.

If you are still not convinced, then consider the rise in political extremism, carried by a troubling number of voters who feel so abandoned they are tempted to gamble on radical fringes to shake things up. The risks to our way of life and our children’s future are too high to be left to desperate measures.

Thankfully, there is a path of lower risk and greater reward. But to walk it, we must find the courage to reconsider our traditional loyalties, because the party bosses, grandstanding shadow ministers, and radicals contesting this election are incapable of building a future in which we can all live and thrive.

Securing a productive minority government isn't complicated, but it does require voters to be intentional at the ballot box. For example, we can simply refuse to give any major party our 1st preference vote and pass that top spot to a reasonable independent instead. Then, to ensure our votes still carry weight through preferencing, rank the major parties from the least objectionable to the most, placing extremists last to ensure they do not gain a foothold in Victorian democracy the way they have elsewhere. By disrupting the traditional two-party contest for control, and ignoring political radicals, we give local voices, moderate leadership, and minority government a fighting chance to save us.

Greg Rublee