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Democracy in Victoria has a colourful history – one marked by innovation, debate, resistance and reform. From the world-first secret ballot in 1856 to the constitutional reforms enacted by my government a century and a half later, the contest of ideas has been about who has the final say in determining how we are governed. Self-government was initially a cautious concession from a distant Imperial parliament, which recognised the huge impact of gold on the population and the significance of the new colony of Victoria. Our democracy has been a work in progress ever since, with each generation of Victorians building on the foundations laid in 1856. In 1856 democracy meant giving the right to vote to men of the ‘right’ background aged over 21. Now that right belongs to every citizen – men and women, indigenous and non-indigenous, migrant and Australian-born. This exhibition is part of the 150th anniversary of responsible government in Victoria, an important historic landmark and a timely reminder that we must never take democracy for granted. Very few democracies in the world can claim a longer history, and many of them have a less peaceful tradition of debate and evolutionary reform. This fascinating exhibition provides a window into how our democracy evolved. It is a story of the inclusion of more and more voices in the debates that shape our lives. The Hon. Steve Bracks, MP |
