1955-present: stability
The 50s ushered in almost three decades of government by one party, and Victoria’s longest-serving premier. The age to vote and stand as a candidate was lowered to 18, and in the 90s, Victoria got its first female premier.
1955
28 May – Henry Bolte (Liberal and Country) elected. This election ushered in 27 years of Liberal governments in Victoria.
Bolte became the longest-serving premier, re-elected in 1958, 1961, 1964, 1967 and 1970. Bolte retired in 1972 and was replaced by Rupert Hamer.
1970
First women elected to the Upper House.
1973
18 May – Age to qualify to vote and stand as candidate lowered to 18.
Rupert Hamer (Liberal) elected.
Re-elected in 1976 and 1979. Hamer resigned in 1981 and was replaced by Lindsay Thompson.
1982
3 April – John Cain junior (Labor) elected. Joan Kirner becomes the first female Victorian Cabinet Minister.
Re-elected in 1985 and 1988.
1984
Lower House terms increased to maximum of four years, with a minimum of three.
17-year olds allowed to enrol provisionally.1990
John Cain resigns and Joan Kirner becomes Victoria’s first female Premier.
1992
3 October – Jeff Kennett (Liberal-National Coalition) elected.
Re-elected in 1996.
1999
18 September – Steve Bracks (Labor) minority government elected.
Re-elected in 2002 and 2006. Resigned in 2007 and was replaced by John Brumby.
2002
Electoral Act modernises administration of elections.
2006
First election with fixed four-year terms.
Proportional representation voting introduced for the Upper House.
2010
27 November – Ted Baillieu (Liberal-National Coalition) elected.
Replaced in 2013 by Denis Napthine.
2014
29 November – Daniel Andrews (Labor) elected.
Re-elected 2018.
2017
Lidia Thorpe becomes Victoria’s first Aboriginal Member of Parliament.