Legislative Council

The first Legislative Council of Victoria served the colony for five years making at least three significant and lasting contributions to Victoria's parliamentary system within that time., namely

• it was responsible for drafting a Constitution for Victoria which provided the framework for a system of responsible government;

• it introduced the secret ballot for parliamentary elections which was a unique innovation in the world at the time; and

• it initiated the building of Parliament House in Spring Street, Melbourne, the first stage of which was completed in 1856.

http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/council/publications-a-research/information-sheets/7-the-legislative-councils-history, accessed 11 June 2014.