HOUSING, healthcare, and the cost of living were at the forefront at a federal election forum attended by Flinders candidates last Thursday, 20 March. A large crowd watched the forum at Rosebud Country Club to hear the five nominated candidates outline their vision for the Mornington Peninsula. Taking the stage were Flinders MP Zoe McKenzie (Liberal), Adam Frogley (Greens), Ben Smith (Independent), Mike Brown (One Nation), and Sarah Race (Labor).
Topics ranged from housing affordability, healthcare, and infrastructure funding to climate change, crime and the cost of living. Moderated by mayor Cr Anthony Marsh, the shire stated the aim of the forum was to “provide an open, respectful and balanced platform for candidates to present their priorities for the Mornington Peninsula, address key community concerns, and respond to questions”.
Perhaps the most interesting interaction during the forum came from the two minor contenders on the stage. One Nation candidate Mike Brown was keen to advocate for a return to fossil fuels, and an abandonment of the renewables “nonsense”, while admitting he actually drove an electric vehicle. Greens candidate Adam Frogley espoused the merits of a sustainable future being the way forward for Australia while also conceding he enjoyed restoring and driving V8s.
There were few other surprises in the answers each candidate gave at the event. McKenzie kicked things off by telling attendees “I’ve had the great honour and joy to represent this amazing community over the last three years, but I must say that over the last three years things have become much, much harder”. “Flinders has always been a seat that has sent someone to Canberra that makes an impact locally and nationally,” said McKenzie, an opening salvo aimed at the independent on the stage.
“I have a history of delivering”.
The last to introduce herself was Labor candidate Sarah Race. “I live by two political maxims. One is that all politics is local,” she said. Race explained to the forum attendees that she saw her four years as a councillor as an apprenticeship for parliament. “I spent four years looking people in the eye and learning about their relationship to this incredible place we call home.”
Independent Ben Smith explained his long roles in the community sector. “I thought to myself, I could be fundraising for the rest of my life to feed people and house people, or I could be involved in something that sees the issue resolved at the place it begins, and I believe that is at the policy level at Canberra.” Smith stated that a strong cross-bench was the best way to deliver on day-to-day issues.
Adam Frogley from the Greens said he was an Aboriginal man born and raised in Healesville. “No, I’m not a resident, but that doesn’t mean we don’t suffer the same impacts,” he said. “It is clear to me that there are a number of things that are very, very wrong. Cost of living, of course. We really need action on cost of living.”
Mike Brown, representing One Nation, said “I put my hat in the ring because I wanted to support making a difference. I’m sick of the political spin. I’m sick to death of all the rubbish in politics.
“What we are standing up for is really to make Australia great again.”
The first question for candidates was on housing and rental affordability. Race said the Albanese government was investing $35 billion into new homes. McKenzie said “my side of politics has been very clear that the solution is supply, supply, supply and more supply”. Smith said his priority was to legislate the National Housing and Homelessness Plan, while The Greens candidate Frogley said his party would look at ways to encourage more public housing to be built. Brown said One Nation’s priority was to “stop the mass migration policies” and to ban home ownership for foreigners.
Moving onto healthcare and mental health, the future of Rosebud Hospital was on the agenda.
Race said “a re-elected Albanese government will give the biggest ever boost to Medicare, including an urgent care clinic at Somerville.” McKenzie responded to Race’s assertion by claiming “bulk billing has plummeted under this government”. Smith said “I will push for a major federal government investment to make sure we get our fair share for our hospital down here.” Brown said “I have had firsthand experience at Rosebud Hospital and they are underfunded. One Nation would make sure they are properly funded”. Frogley said the Greens “would support the redevelopment of Rosebud Hospital”.
The next question dealt with cost of living. Asked what specific measures the candidates would introduce to assist with cost of living pressures, Brown said “Australians are struggling, and Labor, Green and Teals policies are only making it worse”. Race said “the Albanese Labor government is doing their darndest to reduce the cost of living.” McKenzie told the audience that the average tax is going up under Labor. “We’re the boring guys that balance the budget. “The suggestion that Australians are better off under Labor is absolutely farcical.” “This issue hasn’t developed overnight,” said Smith. “I’ll be pushing for a Royal Commission into supermarket powers”.
Candidates then answered questions on small business reform, followed by crime. McKenzie promised “there will be announcements coming from me soon on community safety on the peninsula”, while Smith told the forum “the federal government does have a role to play here. It is about making sure we have enough service provision, making sure our young people have programs they can be a part of. Crime must stop before it starts.” Brown said “If you vote for One Nation, we’re going to deport foreign criminals immediately. No second chances.”
The forum then moved on to climate change and environment. “There is no one solution, but there are things that we can do down here, like micro-grid technology to reduce reliance on the grid,” said Smith.
“There isn’t an industry on a dead planet,” said Race. McKenzie touted the nuclear option, and mentioned her work protecting the spider crabs at Blairgowrie Pier. “The reason I’m on my side of politics is that I don’t have time for hypocrisy,” she said. “We have a faster path to net zero. And it is called nuclear.”
Infrastructure, another largely state-government managed area, was next. Smith said that “it is clear that the peninsula has missed out. To only receive one-tenth of what Geelong receives is an outrage.”
“There will be no leverage on a crossbench,” said McKenzie, directed at Smith. Frogley said “we’re sick to death of the state of the roads.”
The forum ended with each candidate making a final pitch for votes Labor’s Sarah Race said “it’s time to vote Labor on the peninsula. We haven’t had a Labor member in Flinders for 40 years, and you can tell”.
One Nation’s Mike Brown was next – he said “this is a great area to live, but I have seen hell on earth. I’ve had to work hard.”
Independent Smith said “how long can we do the same thing and expect a different result. The crisis we are experiencing will not be fixed unless we try for a different outcome”. “My commitment is to serve you, and you alone. Not the party.”
Greens Adam Frogley told the audience “I will be forceful and drive change as a representative for you.”
Liberal Zoe McKenzie said “choice matters. The electorate of Flinders needs to send the best person to Canberra.” “Who on earth is going to pay for these things? Government is hard. We are at risk of becoming an underperforming nation”.
At the conclusion to the forum, the moderator, Marsh, thanked all five candidates for their attendance.
“This forum was an important opportunity to provide our community with the information they need to make an informed decision about who will best represent us at the federal level. We are committed to ensuring our residents are engaged, well-informed, and empowered throughout this democratic process,” said Marsh.
“I wish all federal election candidates the best of luck with their campaigns. I look forward to working with our newly elected representative and continuing to advocate for the funding and policies that our community needs.”
First published in the Mornington News – 25 March 2025
