Submission on improving democratic integrity and worker participation in Victorian by-elections through enhancing support for the VEC, improving turnout and expanding outreach to workers about boundary changes.
Democracy is union business. VTHC strives to ensure that every worker’s voice is heard in the institutions that matter and that Victoria’s electoral institutions are accessible, fair and fit-for purpose.
In response to the Victorian Parliament’s Electoral Matters Committee’s Inquiry into the 2025 Prahran and Werribee by-elections, VTHC noted a range of concerns and suggestions for improvements for future by-elections:
- Addressing low turnout and the rise of informal voting,
- Directing the Electoral Matters Committee to closely investigate and work to address the causes of this drop in democratic engagement,
- Increasing support for the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC),
- Directing the VEC to employ more culturally and linguistic diverse individuals at polling booths,
- Prioritise the walkability and accessibility of voting venues
- Ensure that all workers are informed of any boundary changes to their district, and
- Connecting with workers from diverse backgrounds to ensure they are informed and supported when casting their votes.
Turnout in both the Werribee and Prahran by-elections was notably lower compared to previous years. The 2022 State Election produced a turnout rate of 82.70% in Prahran and 85.58% in Werribee, while the 2025 figures stood at 68.28% and 79.91% respectively. This is not an insubstantial drop in turnout.
Incidents of harassment against VEC workers and campaign volunteers were also noted by Victorian unions as a point of concern. No worker should be subject to harassment simply for doing their job. The Victorian Government must ensure the safety of VEC workers and campaign volunteers by requiring that polling stations have adequate space to prevent congestion and by promptly responding to any incidents of online or in-person harassment.
The eight recommendations made in the VTHC submission to the inquiry include:
Recommendation 1: The VEC should set a target, as well as develop and implement strategy, to increase by-election turnout.
Recommendation 2: To increase young Victorians’ participation in democracy, the Victorian Government should advocate to change the national curriculum around civics and citizenship education to include political knowledge and skills, not just political fact.
Recommendation 3: Employ more culturally and linguistically diverse people at polling booths in line with the linguistic needs of every electorate.
Recommendation 4: The Victorian Government and the VEC should investigate ways to enhance voter confidence and formal participation in Victoria’s democracy.
Recommendation 5: The Victorian Government should do more to protect VEC workers and prevent them from being subject to harassment at work.
Recommendation 6: The VEC should consider accessibility, walkability and proximity to public transport, prior to selecting pre-poll and election day voting venues.
Recommendation 7: The VEC should investigate new ways, across all media and communication formats to educate voters on electoral boundary changes; including making electoral boundary change information available in the already listed 27 languages of the VEC.
Recommendation 8: The VEC should consider hosting HTV meetings in a multitude of areas, including the respective district and the CBD.