FORMER Liberal Leader John Hewson and former Independent MP for Indi Cathy McGowan will join forces this Saturday (19 June) in a free online forum to support the launch of Voices of Mornington Peninsula.
The organisation aims to find a candidate to stand as an independent against sitting Liberal Flinders MP, Greg Hunt.
Voices of Mornington Peninsula (VMP) is a not-for-profit organisation whose members “believe in the strength of community to effect positive change and, like many, are tired if the inaction of party politics and seek true independent representation at all political levels”.
“Voices of Mornington Peninsula is an opportunity for residents to come together, find shared values, identify common issues, and then help select an independent candidate to represent those views at the next [federal] election,” VMP chair Dr Kate Lardner said.
The online forum will be hosted by former ABC broadcaster and journalist Tracee Hutchison, who will be talking with Mr Hewson about Australia’s two-party political system and how that can be changed by independent candidates.
Ms McGowan, the independent who in 2013 defeated sitting Liberal MP Sophie Mirabella, will outline principles of community engagement favoured by the growing “Voices of” movement and the strength and benefits of having a community selected independent representing an area.
Mr Hewson and Ms McGowan will be joined by local by co-founding director of VMP Louise Page, who will speak about the aims of the Voices movement here and peninsula residents can be part of “an exciting new wave of true political representation”.
The other co-founders of VMP are Dr Lardner, charity founder Sean Willmore, designer and student Janelle Magee and small business operator Michael Stephens.
After the online panel session there will be a questions and answers.
Musician Tim Stout will also perform during the 90-minute session.
To register for the online launch of Voices of Mornington Peninsula visit www.voicesofmornpen.org.au or on Facebook.
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 15 June 2021
