Electioneering heats up
Wandering through Dromana community market on Saturday (29 March), I was disappointed to see a Young Liberal Party campaigner and a Labour Party campaigner in a heated argument at the station where they were handing out flyers and tote bags. Accusations of “well you’re not doing this” and “you’re doing terribly at that” went back and forth – it was like watching my kids argue over Lego.
I remarked “This isn’t a good look you two, no wonder people are sick of your parties when you can’t even be civil to each other at a community market. No wonder it’s a mess in Parliament!”. I was then followed by a Liberal Party campaigner telling me “well they encroached on our space…” to which I responded I was not interested in who started it. This is very unbecoming behaviour and I’m disgusted, albeit unsurprised, that McKenzie and Race allow this conduct on their behalf.
We need more respect in politics – not less.
Ashleigh Hall, Dromana
Flinders race
For the first time in a very long time there will be a competitive race in Flinders at the forthcoming federal election. This is due entirely to the presence of the energetic and well resourced independent candidate Ben Smith. The Liberal Party who have held the seat for the last 40 years are obviously worried as evidenced by the negative advertising material now appearing both in our local newspaper and our letter boxes.
Should Ben Smith be successful it will be due in no small part to the complacency of the Liberal Party who, believing that Flinders was always going to be a safe seat, have done so little for our community.
It will also be a reflection on our current member Zoe McKenzie who has been largely invisible for the last three years.
Geoff Hilton, Mount Martha
Careful who you vote for
People should be very careful about who they vote for. The real election issues, never discussed, are that Australia is broke, in a modern day depression, the economy continuously propped up. We have been using an economic system that doesn’t work and never could. There is no industry and without big industry a country is nothing. God help Australia if we are ever invaded – America won’t.
Younger people have no hope of ever buying a house and even if they could, in the new estates it would be very sub-standard compared to traditional Australian home standards. For the more intelligent half of the population there are no intellectually rewarding, challenging, interesting jobs – their talents, drive and aptitudes lost and wasted because there is no industry to utilise them.
The American Trump has announced tariffs on many things so that they can start up or expand their industries; he has declared the Paris climate agreement a hoax and that he’ll pull out of it, and declared that they will vigorously drill for more oil. Free trade agreements have destroyed Australia and selected tariffs are about the only way that we can start up industry again. Ideas like a hydrogen economy a few years ago, have proved to be madness, but we still have madness ideas.
Clearly, we won’t have those useless atomic submarines but we’ll have nothing at all if we don’t do something. We should now stop demonising and provoking China, a gigantic economy and an extremely valuable trading partner and provider of most of our consumer goods. China should be a good friend, even partnering us in our geographical. When you vote, keep in mind that something must be done to save Australia, never mind the planet.
Brian A Mitchelson, Mornington
Truth telling
Maybe Zoe McKenzie hasn’t heard the old joke, “How can you tell when a politician is lying? Their lips move” (A full house and a few surprises at Flinders Forum, The News 25/3/25). During the Flinders candidate forum, McKenzie said “We are the boring guys that balance the budget”. This is simply not true. The “boring guys”, despite promising surpluses in their last effort at government, delivered nine consecutive deficits that left Australia nearly $500 billion further in debt.
Labor, on the other hand, prior to the latest budget, delivered two surpluses. Did McKenzie think her audience was full of simpletons that would not notice the lack of honesty in her statement? Seriously how can we build trust in politicians if they refuse to tell the truth.
Ross Hudson, Mount Martha
Duopolies don’t work
Social democracies Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland and Netherlands, are once again at the top of the “happiest countries of the world” rankings. Residents of the happiest countries benefit from significant public investment in healthcare, education, childcare, and other public services, and live in societies where the divide between the richest households and working people is far smaller than in many other countries. They are also countries with the highest trust in government. They are also countries rated highest for quality of life. They are also countries that score below 30 on the World Bank’s Gini Index, which measures income inequality.
What do they have in common? They are all governed by minority governments. Our self serving political duopoly continues to spew misinformation that minority governments don’t work, while ignoring that the two-party duopoly creates citizens “with low life satisfaction and low social trust” who tend to apathetically “abstain” from political engagement.
We can see where the political duopoly took the USA. Is that what we want for Australia? The only way to put an end to the political duopolies that form the “democratic dictatorship” where we are allowed to vote every once in a while to just elect the next “democratic dictatorship” is to shake the tree and vote Independent. Put the political duopolies last on the preference card listing the one you hate the most dead last.
Joe Lenzo, Safety Beach
Pamphlet help
I would like to thank the Liberal Party for the very informative yellow and black pamphlet which arrived in my letterbox last week. I read the pamphlet thoroughly and it really helped me decide on the candidate I would vote for in the upcoming federal election. The pamphlet was full of very interesting information about Ben Smith and, as an undecided swinging voter, I have decided he is the candidate for me. Thank you so much Liberal Party for putting all the salient facts into one pamphlet, it saved me time having to do my own research.
Virginia Fricker, Mount Martha
Unwelcome tone
I am disheartened by the tone of campaigning for the upcoming federal election. Yesterday I received a derogatory, personalised mail out from the Liberal Party referencing the local Independent candidate. The targeted mail out means time, energy and money has been spent by people focusing on demonising and undermining when the same could have been spent promoting the Liberal Party values and policies. The mudslinging is unnecessary if there is confidence in ones policies.
Can we please have a respectful and honourable election campaign?
Rosemary Bates, McCrae
Thanks for the guidance
I saw the giant, fear-mongering full-page ad in last week’s newspaper “7 facts about Ben Smith and the teal independents”. I wasn’t sure how I’d vote this time, but that ad made up my mind. I’ll be voting independent. If an independent candidate wants to tax investment properties fairly, supports First Nations people, and is accused of risking a minority government, then good on them. That’s exactly the kind of person I want representing me.
Let’s talk about minority government. The last one we had delivered genuine reform, a functioning parliament, and collaboration across party lines. If that’s the ‘risk’ of voting for a community-backed independent, it’s one I’m willing to take. What ads like these really show is that the major parties are rattled. Independent candidates like Ben Smith listen to their communities, not party bosses. They answer to the people who elect them, not corporate donors or factions. The ad was meant to scare me. Instead, it reminded me why we need more voices in parliament who are free to speak up, act independently, and reflect the values of their communities. Thanks for the heads-up. I’ll be voting for Ben.
Kim Robbins, Safety Beach
Seven facts ad
Zoe McKenzie’s is running a dirty campaign of disinformation. The “7 Facts about Ben Smith” being peddled by Zoe McKenzie is dishonest, deceptive, and disingenuous. It is desperation!
The facts are:
- The Teals don’t exist. That’s a label invented by Liberal and Labor, both paranoid about the loss of their voter base to Independents.
- Climate 200 is 41,000 people who believe in climate change!
- Geelong has had 10 times more government support than Flinders over the past 3 years. That’s what Zoe has achieved for us.
- Zoe McKenzie works for Peter Dutton, an admirer of the Trump style of politics. We need an MP who has the freedom to represent Flinders, not Liberal ideology.
Only an Independent like Ben Smith will truly represent Flinders and restore some integrity in politics.
It’s more than a coincidence that Ben is currently Victorian Father of the Year. An impressive man with imagination and integrity.
John Whalley, Dromana
Transparency
At his recent National Press Club address, Simon Holmes à Court claimed the Independents he supports through Climate 200 are chosen by the community. On that basis I’d be interested to know who selected Ben Smith?
The Labor Party used a transparent process to select Sarah Race with all local branches supporting her. But it is unclear how the community was involved in Ben Smith’s selection. The Labor Party does extensive background checks – to ensure there are no surprises in the closet. If a simple background check had been done on Ben, they would have known that Ben is an ordained minister in the Reorganised Church of Latter-Day Saints (now called Community of Christ), information which apparently came as a surprise to many independent supporters when it was disclosed in an article in The Age.
People I knew who supported Ben responded by saying that this was “misinformation”. Using “misinformation” and “fake news” to contest facts you don’t like is Trumpian. There is not a problem with Ben being a minister of any religion, the problem lies in his lack of transparency about it.
Marg D’Arcy, Rye
Candidate forum
Interesting to learn recently of who is backing the Independent candidate for Flinders Ben Smith.
Mr Smith is aligned with the Teals and the greens and is supported in part by Simon Holmes à Court. Mr Holmes à Court is the founder of Climate 200.
When I first read Mr. Smiths original flyer I thought to myself he seems as though he would be a good choice for my vote. However, as time as gone on my opinion of him has changed upon learning that he is getting support from the founder of Climate 200. In his original hand-out he never disclosed this fact.
Also dot point two on that flyer pointed out that he would support local business’s. It was then disclosed on social media that the handout was printed by a firm in Port Melbourne. In the fine print of the flyer it has the name and address of the company that printed that flyer along the base. So much for supporting local businesses. I am getting the impression that Mr Ben Smith is a political wolf in sheep’s clothing. What other surprises does he have up his sleeve? Alas, I will now have to give stronger thought as to who shall get my vote.
Michael Binney, Crib Point
Grassroots campaign
Debbie de Laps (Different standard, Letters 25/3/25) failed to see the point I made in my previous letter. As a Labor supporter, I am bemused to see the “Community Independent” candidate spending an eye watering amount of money during a cost of living crisis. Imagine if a fraction of that money had been used to help locals without secure housing.
Although community independents talk about doing politics differently, and being people powered, Ben Smith’s campaign is powered by those with deep pockets, just like the Liberal Party. He is also following the Liberal Party playbook by hitching his wagon to local issues. His recent full page advertisements about Rosebud Hospital and the proposed development of the Arthurs Seat Sea Eagle did not do justice to the locals in Save Rosebud Hospital and Save our Seat community groups.
In contrast, our Labor candidate, Sarah Race, is out in the community having genuine conversations about federal issues that are important to residents in the Flinders electorate: climate action, environmental sustainability, aged care and cost of living.
Rather than handing out free food and booze as an enticement, and using an American multinational fast food franchise at a recent planning meeting, Sarah is growing grassroots support the old-fashioned way: talking with residents about issues that matter to them and holding local fundraising events.
While Ben and Zoe woo the electorate with their snazzy digital trucks, and flood the Flinders electorate with their merchandise, Sarah has hit the ground running without gimmicks.
Marilyn Merrifield, Rye
Nuclear alarmists
My understanding of Climate 200 is an organisation founded by Simon Holmes à Court with one main objective, being achieving net zero greenhouse emissions by 2050 or thereabouts. This is obviously fanciful thinking on a world wide basis so perhaps it is just a target for Australia who would have to bear the brunt of further financial hardships and environmental damage while the rest of the world laugh at our stupidity.
I read a reply to my last letter from Craig Fern (I donate to Climate 200, Letters 25/3/25) who wants real action on climate change. I wonder, Mr Fern, did you see Chris Uhlmann’s YouTube article on climate change or like a previous responder, think that as he works for the Murdoch press there is no credibility in that. I’m also surprised that you state “they, Liberal and Labor, would never support a transition to renewables”.
I am sure I have seen Mr Bowen on many occasions on TV strongly supporting renewables for the reason, guess what, they are free. You can’t beat that reasoning. I also see a letter from Ross Hudson (A better option, Letters 25/3/25) commenting on Dutton’s nuclear plan which he states is so toxic that big business won’t go near it. I think big business would be more interested in investing in one of the 33 countries that have 442 nuclear power stations or one of the 50 countries that are considering nuclear where no such bans exist.
It might be worth noting that Australia is the only member of the G20 that has a ban on nuclear. Maybe we know something they don’t know, or possibly they know something we don’t know.
One thing for sure, there is a new religion , it’s called Climate Alarmists.
Keith Davis, Somers
Ben making a difference
Amy Hiller was spot on (Flinders no longer ‘safe’, Letters 25/3/25). Even before election day, Ben Smith is already delivering wins for the community. It’s actually kind of wild to see the Liberals suddenly showing up and paying attention in a seat they’ve always taken for granted. Maybe they’re finally realising people are over being ignored. The fact that they’re under pressure at all says a lot. People want something different. They want someone who shows up, listens, and actually cares. And Ben’s already doing that. Even if you don’t agree with him on everything, it’s hard to deny that this campaign has already made the major parties work harder. That’s a win for all of us.
Ella Brick, Mount Martha
Liberal talking points
Reiner Scheibe’s recent letter (Who is Ben Smith?, Letters 25/3/25) reads like a greatest hits of Liberal Party talking points. These same questions have been answered time and time again. Yet here we are, going through them all over again.
Ben Smith is a local, a small business owner, and a true independent candidate. He is not a secret agent for anyone. He’s been upfront about his funding, which includes contributions from thousands of ordinary Australians through Climate 200, as well as donations from members of our own community.
He stands for practical, community-focused solutions. Not scare campaigns or hollow promises rolled out when an election looms. He’s been listening, engaging and working long before signs went up and slogans were printed.
If you’re genuinely curious about what Ben stands for, it’s all clearly outlined on his website. You’ll find it’s about action on climate, integrity in politics, affordable housing and making sure Flinders actually gets its fair share.
So maybe it’s time to stop recycling the fear-based rhetoric and start engaging with what this campaign is really about. Better representation for the people who live here.
Craig Fern, Sorrento
My voice matters
As another fairly disenfranchised voter on the younger end of the spectrum, I agree with Guy Taylor (It’s the vibe, Letters 25/3/25). Ben Smith genuinely seems like someone who cares about our future. His work with the Mornington Community Support Centre and his title as Father of the Year say a lot about the kind of person he is – approachable, grounded, and community focused.
I’ve never been involved in politics before because, honestly, it felt pointless. No one was listening. It always seemed like donors and party insiders mattered more than the people they were supposed to represent. But this time, it feels different. It actually feels like we’re being heard.
If you’re feeling the same way, I’d encourage you to reach out or attend one of Ben’s events. You’ll see that this is a movement of locals, not career politicians. It is about community, honesty and a genuine commitment to change. For the first time, I feel like my voice matters. That’s worth showing up for.
Ashlynn O’Malley, Mornington
A vote for the Greens?
Rowan Clark from Mt Eliza reckons voting independent is basically voting for the Greens (Voting with Greens? Letters 25/3/25). I’ve got to say, that take feels pretty out of touch. Let’s be real. The person who has never voted outside party lines is Zoe McKenzie. She votes exactly how she’s told, every single time. That’s not representation, that’s being a mouthpiece. What worries me way more is how little we know about who’s actually funding the major parties. There’s a whole lot of money floating around and not much transparency.
When you vote for an independent, you’re voting for someone who can actually represent the community – not just toe the party line. Whether you call them teal or not, these are people who live here, get it, and want to shake up a system that’s clearly not working for a lot of us. I’d rather back someone like Ben Smith who listens to us than someone who just presses the button their party tells them to.
Guy Taylor, Mt Eliza
It’s that time again
So, the election day is set. I wait in dread, preparing for plenty of mudslinging, unethical and frankly unsavoury behaviour to occur for the next few weeks, from many people who truly should know better. And we have our first exhibit already! I assume most of Flinders electorate received a four-page missive from the Liberal Party in their mailbox in the past week.
Decked out in the same yellow shade used by Independent Ben Smith’s campaign (Note to self: Yellow is clearly not Teal) in a tacky, and slightly desperate attempt to confuse, the heading “Seven Facts About Ben Smith And The Teal Independents” screams from the front page.
The document’s main message is to tell us all that Ben Smith, the independent candidate for Flinders is funded by Climate 200 and hence clearly must be a Devil from Hell! What pathetic nonsense! Due to the very small amount of funding he has, his campaign runs on a tight budget.
Compare this with the spending of the major parties who fund their election campaigns using millions of OUR taxpayer dollars, plus millions more (no exaggeration) in donations from mining magnates, betting companies, lobbyists, unions and dozens of other groups with business interests at stake, along with large sums of ‘dark money’ (donations that are not declared and thus remain a mystery). It’s all about retaining power at any cost!
This recent flyer is nothing more than a sad attack from our, clearly anxious, Liberal incumbent. Ben Smith’s campaign is receiving massive amounts of support and positive attention from a mightily unhappy community, which goes to show – when fed up and motivated people put their hearts and minds to it and turn on their ‘people power’ things can change!
Peta Watson, Crib Point
Budget blow
We have now know what the Albanese government budget is and the big spending on health, housing and energy assistance payments and the tax cuts which will not buy a cup of coffee and will not come into effect until July 2026. Albanese should have concentrated the tax cuts on the average and low wage earners who could have benefited more with larger tax cuts to assist in the cost of living. The budget has been attacked ruthlessly by most of the media but a few have clapped at it.
Now we have Peter Dutton’s fuel excise cuts which will benefit some Australians for twelve months who own cars but not ones who do not and who use public transport. How long this proposed cut will benefit the car owners depends on the petrol stations if they do not increase their petrol prices.
We have big government and big taxes and Trumpism is the beginning of a new direction in the world of old capitalism where the rich control the country and control the economy and the rich will own the land and wages will be pushed down and then the slums return. Things have now gone full circle and power to the people and the social welfare system will end.
Russell Morse, Karingal
Helping hand
On Friday 28 March I fell over just near the pedestrian crossing at Rosebud Library. A young lady stopped her car and came over to help me up and then made certain I got back to my car. Unfortunately, I forgot to get her name, so I hope that she sees this note and will accept my most grateful thanks for her help in coming to the aid of a stranger. Thank you.
Sandra Barry, Rye
