History of elections in Victoria
This page contains a timeline showing important moments in the history of elections in Victoria, including changes to governments, voting systems and participation.
1900-1919: turbulent years
In the first 20 years of the 20th century, Victoria churned through 10 premiers. Among them was the shortest-serving in the state's history (two weeks). Women got the vote and preferential voting was introduced.
1900
1 November - Sir George Turner (Liberal) elected as Premier. In office for 86 days. First postal vote for the Lower House.
1901
12 February – Alexander Peacock (Liberal) elected. Served as Premier for over a year.
1902
1 October – William Irvine (Conservative) elected.
1904
1 June – Sir Thomas Bent (Conservative) elected.
1907
Bent elected as part of Fusion (combined Conservatives and Liberals). Fusion breaks up and Bent continues as Conservative Premier.
1911
16 November - Women vote for the first time in Victoria. First Victorian election to use preferential voting for Lower House.
John Murray (Liberal Party) re-elected. Replaced by William Watt in 1912.
1913
After a vote of no-confidence in Watt, the acting Governor appoints George Elmslie (Labor) as premier. Elmslie became the first Labor premier and the shortest serving Victorian premier (14 days). William Watt was re-installed by Parliament.
1914
26 November – Liberal Government continues with Alexander Peacock
1917
15 November – John Bowser (Economy National)
Replaced by Harry Lawson in March 1918
1920-1952: minority governments
For 30 years, minority governments were the norm in Victoria. Parties formed, dissolved and splintered. Among this constant change, the first woman was elected to Parliament and compulsory voting was introduced.
1920
21 October – Harry Lawson holds office but loses majority.
1921
30 August – Lawson returns to government but is replaced by Alexander Peacock in April 1924.
1924
26 June – First election in which women were able to stand as candidates.
George Prendergast (Labor) elected in a minority government.
November - Prendergast replaced by John Allan (Country-National Coalition).
1927
9 April – First election in which voting was compulsory for the Lower House.
Edmond Hogan (Labor) elected.
Replaced in 1928 by William McPherson (National).
1929
30 November – Hogan returned to office in a minority government.
1932
14 May – Sir Stanley Argyle (United Australia – Country Coalition) elected.
1933
In the Allandale District by-election, Lady Millie Peacock becomes the first woman elected to the Lower House.
1935
2 March – Compulsory voting introduced for the Upper House.
United Australia-Country Party coalition dissolved a month after the election and Albert Dunstan (Country Party) formed a minority government with Labor support.
Re-elected in minority government 1937, 1940 and 1943.
Replaced briefly by John Cain senior in 1943 and replaced in 1945 by Ian McFarlan.
1945
10 November – John Cain senior (Labor) minority government elected.
1947
8 November – Thomas Hollway (Liberal-Country coalition) government elected.
1948 – coalition dissolved and Hollway continues as premier of a minority Liberal government.
1950
13 May – John McDonald (Country Party) forms minority government with Labor support.
1952
6 December – after a period of instability, John Cain senior (Labor) elected. Cain’s government was to be the first Labor majority government in Victoria’s history.
1955-present: stability
The 50s ushered in almost three decades of government by one party, and Victoria's longest-serving premier. The age to vote and stand as a candidate was lowered to 18, and in the 90s, Victoria got its first female premier.
1955
28 May – Henry Bolte (Liberal and Country) elected. This election ushered in 27 years of Liberal governments in Victoria.
Bolte became the longest-serving premier, re-elected in 1958, 1961, 1964, 1967 and 1970. Bolte retired in 1972 and was replaced by Rupert Hamer.
1970
First women elected to the Upper House.
1973
18 May – Age to qualify to vote and stand as candidate lowered to 18.
Rupert Hamer (Liberal) elected.
Re-elected in 1976 and 1979. Hamer resigned in 1981 and was replaced by Lindsay Thompson.
1982
3 April – John Cain junior (Labor) elected. Joan Kirner becomes the first female Victorian Cabinet Minister.
Re-elected in 1985 and 1988.
1984
The Lower House term increased to maximum of 4 years, with a minimum of 3 years.
17-year olds allowed to enrol provisionally.
1990
John Cain resigns and Joan Kirner becomes Victoria’s first female Premier.
1992
3 October – Jeff Kennett (Liberal-National Coalition) elected.
Re-elected in 1996.
1999
18 September – Steve Bracks (Labor) minority government elected.
Re-elected in 2002 and 2006. Resigned in 2007 and was replaced by John Brumby.
2002
Electoral Act modernises administration of elections.
2006
First election with fixed 4 year terms.
Proportional representation voting introduced for the Upper House.
2010
27 November – Ted Baillieu (Liberal-National Coalition) elected.
Replaced in 2013 by Denis Napthine.
2014
29 November – Daniel Andrews (Labor) elected.
2017
Lidia Thorpe becomes Victoria’s first Aboriginal Member of Parliament.
2018
24 November – Daniel Andrews (Labor) re-elected.
Political donation disclosure laws come into effect.
2022
26 November – Daniel Andrews (Labor) re-elected.