As authorised by the Returning Officer
The First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria is holding an election for Community to decide who will next represent them on the Assembly.
The election will be run in accordance with the Assembly’s Election Rules and Constitution. This includes that a Returning Officer will oversee the Election.
Number of General Members to be elected
A total of 22 General Members will be elected across the Assembly’s five voting regions:
| Region | Number of General Members to be elected |
| Metropolitan | 10 |
| South West | 3 |
| North West | 3 |
| North East | 3 |
| South East | 3 |
| Total | 22 |
The Assembly has a gender quota for elections. This means that 40% of vacancies in each region must be filled by non-male identifying candidates.
How to nominate
If you’ve ever thought about standing for election to the Assembly yourself, now’s your chance!
Any eligible First Peoples are encouraged to nominate to run in the election. To stand as a candidate you must:
- Be validly enrolled with the Assembly
- Be aged 18 or older at the time you nominate
- Be a Victorian Traditional Owner
- Not be disqualified from acting as a director of a company under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)
- Not be in prison, the subject of an order under the Crimes (Mental Impairment and Unfitness to be Tried) Act 1997 (Vic) or restricted by bail, remand, parole or other legal mechanisms from travelling within Victoria
- Be able to comply with the rights and responsibilities of a Member of the Assembly, as set out in the Assembly’s Constitution and the Members’ Charter
- Provide the Returning Officer with any further information necessary to confirm your eligibility to stand as a candidate.
To nominate, complete the nomination form which will be published prior to nominations opening on 3 April and provide it to the Returning Officer by 4.00pm on Monday 24 April. Following this, the Returning Officer will assess and confirm all valid nominations, in accordance with the Assembly’s Election Rules.
The Returning Officer will publish further information and hold information sessions about how to nominate for election.
Voting period
It’s not compulsory to vote, but your voice is important, and we want to hear it! Voting will be open from Saturday 13 May to Saturday 3 June. You’ll be able to vote online via an email address, via SMS, in person at one of our polling booths or via postal vote.
Key election dates
| What’s happening? | When is it happening? |
| Candidate nominations open | 9.00am on 3 April 2023 |
| Candidate nominations close | 4.00pm on 24 April 2023 |
| Announcement of candidates | 4.00pm on 5 May 2023 |
| Voting opens | 7.00am on 13 May 2023 |
| Voting closes | 11.00pm on 3 June 2023 |
| Votes counted | 10am on 17 June 2023 |
Election documents
- Election Rules
- First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria Constitution
- Election timeline
- Nomination form (soft copy) (available prior to nominations opening on 3 April)
- Nomination form (Google form) (available prior to nominations opening on 3 April)
- Candidate checklist (available prior to nominations opening on 3 April)
If you require the nomination form to be sent out to you in hard copy, or if you have any questions about the election process, please contact the Returning Officer.
Gavin Ryan
Returning Officer
fpav.returningofficer@gmail.com
0403 336 829
Jessica Fox
Deputy Returning Officer
fpav.returningofficer@gmail.com
0417 613 866
IMPORTANT ELECTION DATES
| What’s happening? | When is it happening? |
| Enrol to vote in this election | Now until 3 June |
| Notice of Election issued | Monday 20 March |
| Candidate information session – North-East Region | Monday 3 April, 6pm – 7.30pm |
| Candidate information session – North-West Region | Monday 3 April, 7.30pm – 9pm |
| Candidate information session – South-East Region | Tuesday 4 April, 6pm – 7.30pm |
| Candidate information session – South-West Region | Tuesday 4 April, 7.30pm – 9pm |
| Candidate information session – Metro Region | Wednesday 5 April, 6.30pm – 8pm |
| Board publishes candidate support information | Friday 31 March |
| Candidate nominations open | Monday 3 April at 9.00am |
| Candidate campaign materials support opens | Tuesday 4 April at 9.00am |
| Candidate information session – alternate session for candidates from any region | Thursday 20 April at 7.00pm |
| Candidate nominations close | Monday 24 April at 4.00pm |
| Final announcement of candidates | Friday 5 May at 4.00pm |
| Ballot draw (online) for all regions | Monday 8 May from 11.00am |
| Meet the candidate events | 9, 10 and 11 May |
| Voting opening day | Saturday 13 May at 7.00am (online votes) |
| First day of in-person polling | Saturday 13 May |
| Last day to request a postal vote | Wednesday 24 May |
| Candidate campaign materials support closes | Friday 26 May at 5.00pm |
| Last day of in-person polling | Saturday 3 June |
| Voting Closing (all voting closes) and postal votes to be sent | Saturday 3 June at 11:00pm |
| Scrutineer Training Session 1 (online) | Tuesday 6 June at 7.00pm |
| Scrutineer Training Session 2 (online) | Thursday 8 June at 7.00pm |
| Postal votes must be received | Friday 16 June at 6.00pm |
| Votes counted | Saturday 17 June at 10.00am |
| Results announced | As soon as practicable after the votes have been counted |
| Last day to make a complaint | 7 days after the results are announced |
