Having a criminal record may impact on your ability to hold a public office. A person will be disqualified from becoming or remaining a Councillor in Victorian local government or a member of State Parliament if, when over 18 years of age, they have been convicted of an offence under Australian law which carries a maximum penalty of five years or more. Disqualification for Councillors lasts for seven years. A person will be disqualified from holding a seat in Federal Parliament if they have been convicted of an offence which is punishable by one year of imprisonment or longer, regardless of the actual penalty imposed.