Who's on your ballotVictorian state election, Saturday 28 November 2026
Showing the official VEC candidate list in ballot paper order, as at 09 Nov 2026 07:58 PM. Updated 13 Nov: Endorsement withdrawn (Preston), Who's standing again: 99 outgoing MPs, 6 new candidate profiles and more. What's changed
Back to Hastings District

Paul Mercurio

Australian Labor Party candidate for Hastings District in the Legislative Assembly (lower house) at the election on Saturday 28 November. Currently the member for Hastings, first elected in 2022.

Website: paulmercurio.com.auFacebookInstagram

On the ballot as
MERCURIO, Paul
Ballot position
4
Stood for Parliament
1 time, elected once
Running against
6 others
Donations to them
None disclosed
Donations to their party
$2.2m

Hastings in violet, within the Eastern Victoria Region.

Election history

  1. 28 Nov 2026 · state electionStanding for Hastings District as Australian Labor Party.
  2. 26 Nov 2022 · state electionStood for Hastings District as Australian Labor Party - Victorian Branch, 37.3% of first preferences. Elected. Results

Covers Victorian state elections since 2022 (with by-elections) and federal elections in Victoria in 2022 and 2025, matched on name and party or electorate. A filled marker means elected. Council elections aren't included yet.

In their own words

Prior to entering Parliament, Paul worked in the entertainment industry starting out as a contemporary ballet dancer, then working as a choreographer, an actor and TV presenter. He has also had a diverse career in the food space being a brewer, cook and restaurateur.

An excerpt, word for word, from Victorian Labor candidate profile, checked 13 Nov 2026. Follow the link for the full text.

Candidate or campaign team? Send us your website or a correction.

Their record and what they're campaigning on

Paul Mercurio is a sitting member, so each issue starts with their record in Parliament: a summary of how they voted, what they said and the portfolios they held, with the count of sources behind it. Party members usually vote together, so a vote often reflects the party's position. See the full record with every source.

Campaign quotes are word for word from Victorian Labor candidate profile and paulmercurio.com.au. Each quote links to where it was published. “Not mentioned” means only that it isn't in those pages.

Their stated priorities

  1. “The main passions and priorities Paul has as a member of Parliament is to do more for the performing arts community which in turn has incredible benefits for youth, and for mental and psychical health.”
  2. “Paul is also passionate about improving public transport to create jobs, economic uplift, and opportunities to all members of the community.”

Crime and bail

In ParliamentSpoke for the 2025 bail changes and tougher penalties for assaults on prison officers, while stressing rehabilitation. Voted for the Bail Further Amendment Bill 2025. 1 vote, 2 statements

Campaigning

Not mentioned in the campaign material we read.

Housing and renting

In ParliamentHas backed faster planning approvals, shared-equity home buying and clearer rent rules for residential park residents. Voted against letting the Greens' rent controls bill be introduced (a procedural vote). 1 vote, 2 statements

Campaigning

Not mentioned in the campaign material we read.

Treaty and First Peoples

In ParliamentSpoke for and voted for the Statewide Treaty Bill 2025. 1 vote, 1 statement

Campaigning

Not mentioned in the campaign material we read.

Transport and roads

In ParliamentHas welcomed a cross-peninsula bus service and record road maintenance funding, and backed point-to-point speed cameras. Voted for the Transport Infrastructure and Planning Legislation Amendment Bill 2024. 1 vote, 2 statements

Campaigning
  • Profile10 Nov 2026“Paul is also passionate about improving public transport to create jobs, economic uplift, and opportunities to all members of the community.”Victorian Labor candidate profile

AI and technology

In ParliamentHas spoken about both the benefits and harms of social media. Voted against letting the Greens' bill to pause new AI data centre approvals be introduced (a procedural vote). 1 vote, 1 statement

Campaigning

Not mentioned in the campaign material we read.

Gambling and racing

In ParliamentHas spoken in several gambling debates about the damage done by poker machines and gambling addiction. Voted for the Gambling Legislation Amendment (Pre-commitment and Carded Play) Bill 2024. 1 vote, 2 statements

Campaigning

Not mentioned in the campaign material we read.

Cost of living

In ParliamentHas described car registration rebates and cheaper public transport in the 2026–27 budget as cost-of-living relief, and supported gas market changes during the energy transition. Voted for the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund bill in 2025. 1 vote, 2 statements

Campaigning

Not mentioned in the campaign material we read.

Health

In ParliamentHas spoken for nurse-to-patient ratios in law and for free dental care. Voted against a reasoned amendment to withdraw the Health Safeguards for People Born with Variations in Sex Characteristics Bill 2025 (a procedural vote). 1 vote, 2 statements

Campaigning

Not mentioned in the campaign material we read.

Everyone standing in Hastings District

In ballot order.

How this page is made. Names, parties and ballot positions are from the VEC's official list. Bios and campaign quotes are copied word for word from the candidate's party profile or their own website, and each links to its source: we don't summarise or rate what they say. For sitting members, the record in Parliament is the summary from their member page, where every vote, statement and portfolio behind it is listed with its source. The issues are the same ones used for sitting members' records, so candidates can be compared on equal terms. Election history comes from official VEC and AEC results. Donations are as published on VEC Disclosures.