While the calling of an election is partly a matter of political judgement and timing, a constitutional and legislative framework governs the electoral timetables and processes. The Constitution requires periodic elections for both Houses of Parliament, with separate provisions reflecting the different constitutional role of each House.

The Australian Labor Party (ALP) has been re-elected as the party of government in Victoria, with its leader, Steve Bracks, to return as premier with an only slightly diminished lower house majority of 22 seats. Arguably the most interesting aspect of the election was the use of the Single Transferable Vote (STV) proportional representation electoral...

The single transferable vote can produce unexpected results, writes Brian Costar.

The electoral map in Victorian has been redrawn by Labor, writes Brian Costar.

This paper discusses the likely dates of the next federal, state and territory elections, surveying the factors that constrain the election dates.