Rightwing provocateur’s plan to register ‘Free Palestine party’ renews concern over Victoria’s voting system
Rightwing activist Avi Yemini plans to register a 'Free Palestine party' to redirect preferences to conservative parties in Victoria’s upcoming state election, reigniting criticism of the state’s group voting ticket (GVT) system. The GVT system, used only in Victoria’s upper house, allows parties to control preference flows, enabling backroom deals. Critics, including the Greens and some Labor MPs, warn the system risks electoral integrity and enables deceptive tactics. Calls are growing for the Labor government to abolish GVTs before the November 2026 election.
- ▪Avi Yemini, a rightwing activist, plans to register the 'Free Palestine party' to funnel preferences to conservative parties in Victoria’s state election.
- ▪Victoria’s upper house is the only parliamentary chamber in Australia still using group voting tickets (GVTs), which allow parties to direct preferences via behind-the-scenes deals.
- ▪The Labor-led electoral matters committee recommended scrapping GVTs in 2022, and a follow-up inquiry urged implementation before the 2026 election.
- ▪Greens leader Ellen Sandell and some Labor MPs have criticized the continued use of GVTs, calling them undemocratic and vulnerable to manipulation.
- ▪The Victorian Electoral Commission can only implement voting changes by November 2026 if legislation is passed by August 2025.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Rightwing activist Avi Yemini. Victoria’s upper house is the only house of parliament in Australia still using the group voting ticket system, which has seen backroom deals between parties flourish. Photograph: Joel Carrett/EPAView image in fullscreenRightwing activist Avi Yemini. Victoria’s upper house is the only house of parliament in Australia still using the group voting ticket system, which has seen backroom deals between parties flourish. Photograph: Joel Carrett/EPAVictorian politicsRightwing provocateur’s plan to register ‘Free Palestine party’ renews concern over Victoria’s voting systemLabor under pressure to scrap group voting tickets as Avi Yemini details plan to funnel votes to conservative parties at state election Benita Kolovos Victorian state correspondentWed 29 Apr 2026…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at the Guardian.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from the Guardian
