Vic Speaker uses casting vote

The Victorian government's reliance on balance-of-power MP Geoff Shaw's vote has been shown again, this time by his absence from the chamber.

Mr Shaw was absent during a lower house vote on the government business program, resulting in a deadlock 42-42 between Labor and the coalition government.

Speaker Christine Fyffe used her casting vote to pass the program, which is the government's legislative agenda for the week.

It was the first time Ms Fyffe has used her casting vote since being elected Speaker in February.

Previous Speaker Ken Smith used his casting vote five times after the coalition came to power in November 2010.

Mr Shaw, who holds the balance of power in the parliament, has previously voted against the program, making it more difficult for the government to run the business of the week.