We're officially registered for the 2026 Victorian election

It’s official: the Australian Democrats have successfully completed the Victorian Electoral Commission’s (VEC) registration process. That clears the way for us to contest the Victorian State Election this November — and it’s the first time in about 20 years that the Democrats have been registered to contest a Victorian state election.

“The Australian Democrats are officially back in Victorian politics.”

“We have achieved something that many people simply didn’t believe was possible. We have rebuilt our membership, mobilised an incredible group of volunteers and successfully navigated the VEC registration process.”

“But this isn’t about looking backwards. It’s about looking forward.”

— Ryan Parris, Victorian & Tasmanian State President

Built by our members

Over the past six months our membership has more than tripled, with Victorians from across the political spectrum joining the party. And it was our members and volunteers who got us across the line.

“This achievement belongs to our members and volunteers.”

“Hundreds of people have made phone calls, sent messages, contacted members, checked records and worked tirelessly behind the scenes to get us across the line.”

“We didn’t buy our way back into Victorian politics. We rebuilt this movement from the ground up.”

— Ryan Parris

Back in the state contest after two decades

We’ve kept contesting federal elections throughout that time, with only one exception, so the Democrats have stayed part of Australia’s federal political landscape. November’s election will be our first state-level contest in Victoria in two decades — and our focus will be the upper house, where we want to hold power to account.

“We don’t exist to blindly support Labor, Liberal, National, Greens or anyone else.”

“Our job is to represent the public interest, scrutinise government and, where necessary, keep those in power honest.”

— Ryan Parris

What happens next

With registration done, our attention turns to selecting candidates, developing our election platform and building our campaign organisation ahead of November.

And as we head towards our 50th anniversary in April 2027, one of our most famous slogans is as relevant as ever: Keep the Bastards Honest.

The full media release is attached below. If you’d like to be part of what comes next, join us or volunteer.