The Elections and Qualifications Committee was first established in 29 November 1855, in pursuance to the provisions of the 'The Victoria Electoral Act of 1851'.

The Committee is empowered to inquire into and determine any questions relating to the validity of the election or return of any member of either the Council or the Assembly.

The Committee is established at the outset of each session with the election of a number of members from each House who are willing to serve and those members continue until the end of the session. The Committee elects its own Chairman who has a casting vote in the event of a tied vote and is attended by a clerk of either the Council or Assembly as minute secretary.

When a complaint or petition as to the validity of an election is received the House decides whether it should be referred to the Committee. If so, the Committee is convened and must report on the question.

Location of Records

** Special Access Conditions **

Although records transferred from this agency are available for public inspection, special access conditions apply. The records have been transferred to the Public Record Office on the understanding that they remain the property of the Parliament of Victoria. Parliamentary records are transferred on condition that all requests for access will be referred to the Clerk of the Legislative Council/Legislative Assembly as appropriate, for determination in each case.

Application to inspect the records should be made to the appropriate officer and written authorisation must be presented at Public Record Office Search Rooms before records can be made available for inspection.