Lower-house preselections are decided by 100 delegates—50 branch members and 50 union votes—while a 50% women quota applies party-wide by 2026. The system balances democratic participation with affirmative action to ensure diverse representation.
Delegate conferences and weighted vote
Victorian Labor's preselection system uses a delegate conference model that balances union and member representation through a carefully structured voting system.
Lower-house preselections operate through a 100-vote ballot with exactly 50 votes allocated to members and 50 votes to unions. This ensures neither wing can dominate candidate selection while maintaining the party's historic connection to organised labour.
Union vs member delegate weighting
Eligibility requirements
Candidates need 24 months' continuous membership and must secure endorsements that count within their respective voting blocs. Union endorsements are weighted according to affiliated union membership size.
Affirmative-action targets and factional splits
Victorian Labor enforces a 50% women candidate quota across both houses by 2026, with the Administrative Committee empowered to intervene if quotas are breached.
Female candidate representation
Recent reforms (2022-2025)
Recent Changes
Key Facts
For more information about Victorian Labor's structure and policies, explore our comprehensive guide to Victorian Labor policies.