The sources, who spoke anonymously to element non-public talks, mentioned it was not that the plan had been stopped, however slightly, there was a scarcity of urge for food within the authorities to pursue a troublesome reform that will not win many votes. The defection of two Labor MPs within the higher home would have made it more durable to safe required assist.
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On Thursday, Andrews went a way in explaining Labor’s inaction: “It actually has not been on the prime of the record.”
The Herald Solar’s publication of Druery talking in a non-public assembly with election candidates lifted the lid on the best way he takes benefit of the voting system. He does so throughout the legislation, though he has been scrutinised for years, however the brazenness with which he described his operation sparked condemnation amongst politicians and analysts.
The skilled political operative boasted about his “management” of Victoria’s higher home, how he places his “household” into parliament and his creation of the “Sack Dan Andrews” Social gathering to seize extra voters to feed into his preference-sharing group.
The opposition mentioned it could refer Labor and Druery to the Unbiased Broad-based Anti-corruption Fee over Druery’s declare that he was working to elect higher home candidates amenable to Labor’s agenda. Lots of the MPs he helps are anti-Labor, together with former Liberal MP Bernie Finn and former Labor MP Adem Somyurek, whose Democratic Labour Social gathering is working with Druery on this election.
Victoria is the one Australian jurisdiction to proceed utilizing the group voting system, which leads to events having management over the distribution of preferences if somebody votes above the road. Group voting means voters who quantity a single field above the road on their poll for the higher home, slightly than preferencing one to 5 on the backside, don’t management the place votes are directed if their candidate doesn’t garner sufficient assist.
Victorian Opposition Chief Matthew Man on the marketing campaign path this week.Credit score:Mark Stewart
Requested why his authorities had not enacted reforms, Andrews mentioned a post-election overview might suggest adjustments.
“Let’s have the overview after which let’s have a dialogue about, in additional concrete phrases, about what we would do about a number of the challenges we face,” he mentioned. “What’s within the media immediately, I feel it brings this matter into sharper focus.”
Andrews mentioned he didn’t imagine Labor had ever labored with Druery. “I don’t assume I’ve ever met the bloke,” he mentioned.
Opposition Chief Matthew Man mentioned Victoria’s voting system was akin to these used within the “third world”.
The Animal Justice Social gathering’s Andy Meddick.Credit score:Getty
“The federal government says they don’t have an issue with this. They’ve been the beneficiary of the outcomes of this,” he mentioned. “Why don’t they modify it?
“I don’t imagine the desire of the folks is being correctly mirrored.”
Animal Justice Social gathering MP Andy Meddick mentioned the voting system wanted fixing. He has labored with Druery beforehand and that is the primary time he has known as for change.
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“Glenn will not be breaking the legislation. However it’s a query of whether or not you imagine someone can purchase a seat in parliament this fashion,” Meddick mentioned.
“The system, which has benefitted the main events, is damaged and most of the people within the public don’t need that. They need a fairer system and so do I, and that’s proportional illustration [where parties gain seats in proportion to the number of votes they receive].”
Within the leaked video, there have been discussions about how a lot Druery would cost profitable candidates.
“In the event you win, you’ll give me $55,000,” Druery mentioned. “Nicely, usually, I might cost you $5000 … everyone provides me $5000 as a member of the household. I’m not going to cost you that, however when you win, you may give it to me.”
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