Victorian minor party, independent join to force Andrews government to act on rates and rail

Two MPs are joining forces in a bid to “supercharge” their influence within the Victorian parliament.

Fiona Patten and Ali Cupper have joined forces.

A new coalition will be formed in the Victorian parliament with Mildura Independent Ali Cupper joining Reason’s Fiona Patten.

The two MPs will officially announce they are joining forces on Friday in Mildura in the bid to “supercharge” their influence within the parliament.

Ms Cupper will represent the Reason Party in the lower house and take on the role of Deputy Leader, while Ms Patten will remain the leader and will lobby the Andrews government for regional council rates reform and to fund a new passenger rail route, known as Outback Vic, to the Mallee ­region.

Member for Mildura Ali Cupper. Picture: supplied

“This is ‘Reason for the Regions’,” Ms Patten said.

“I couldn’t be happier to welcome Ali to our team and help her advocate for the people of Mildura and Northern Victoria more widely.”

Ms Cupper said she would retain her independence but made the move after being repeatedly stonewalled by the Andrews government on requests for resources in her electorate.

“Fiona has been the one to spearhead action and reform where people are not willing to go,” said Ms Cupper.

“And it never hurts to have someone of that level of effectiveness (on your team).”

The Reason Party has previously been successful at forcing the government’s hand on introducing safe injecting rooms, abortion access zones, introducing an Uber levy and legislation on spent convictions.

Fiona Patten speaking during a debate in 2019. Picture: AAP

Ms Patten said resources for Mildura would now be one of the party’s key priorities.

The new coalition comes after Ms Patten recently proposed legislation to be introduced into the upper house that would have big impact on minor parties in state elections.

The new law would make it illegal to pay experts to “preference harvest” in future state elections, instead forcing parties to make their own deals.

The move has sparked tension among the upper house crossbench, and comes on top of existing tensions over Ms Patten, the Greens MP Samantha Ratnam and Animal Justice’s Andy Meddick supporting the state government’s controversial state of emergency bill.