LAST week marked the first full week of campaigning since the federal election was called for 3 May.
Candidates wasted no time hitting the hustings with a flurry of appearances and some sizeable commitments. Nominations for candidacy in the federal election close this Thursday (10 April), so we should have a full list of candidates by next week’s edition of The News.
Labor candidate Sarah Race was joined on the campaign trail by the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, to announce a number of infrastructure projects a re-elected Albanese government would undertake.
The promises included:
- $10m for the Western Port Highway
- $1.3 million for the Hastings Recreation Reserve
- $450,000 for the Rye Cricket Club, and
- $250,000 for the Somerville Netball Facilities
This week’s commitments are in addition to the previously announced Urgent Care Clinic in Somerville.
The $1.3m commitment for the Hastings Recreation Reserve includes $700,000 for pavilion renewal and upgrade design, $250,000 for cricket nets upgrade, and $350,000 for oval and car park drainage.
The $250,000 commitment at Somerville will be to install new modular netball change rooms plus storage and toilets at the Somerville Recreation Reserve. The $450,000 commitment to Rye Cricket Club will install new cricket nets at the RJ Rowley Recreation Reserve.
“Delivering investment in local infrastructure is one of my priorities because we haven’t got our share after 40 years of the Liberals taking us for granted,” said Race. “These commitments are fully funded and work can start shortly, meaning outcomes for the clubs and community not years of delays because the project is part funded.”
Ben Smith’s supporters were out in force over the weekend, with one event in Main Street Mornington aiming to “paint the town yellow”. Smith’s campaign was the focus of national media last week after speaking to The Saturday Paper about the funding challenges independent candidates face. The story explained that Smith, like many others, had planned for an anticipated April 12 election, before Tropical Cyclone Alfred prompted a delay in the election date. The later than expected election has required Smith, who was first out of the blocks in Flinders, to find an extra month of resources. News from inside the Smith camp is that they’ve had a groundswell of community support with hundreds of locals donating to the campaign in recent weeks.
This week Smith launched his plan to fix the aged care system at Benton’s Lodge in Mornington. “The peninsula has one of the highest proportions of seniors in Australia, yet local aged care services continue to fail the very generation that built our community,” said Smith. As CEO of the Mornington Community Support Centre, Smtih has hands-on experience helping seniors navigate the My Aged Care system. “The major parties have had chance after chance to fix this system, but they’ve failed,” said Smith.
“As your independent, I won’t be constrained by party politics or corporate donors – I’ll fight for the reforms our seniors desperately need. “My Aged Care is a bureaucratic nightmare that exhausts families at their most vulnerable time. Everyone knows it’s not working but neither of the major parties have invested the effort in fixing it.
Smith’s plan includes:
- An overhaul of home care funding to enable more seniors to age in their own homes
- Stronger regulation with significant penalties for substandard facilities
- Reform the My Aged Care process to ensure it is designed for a smoother user experience
- Career pathways with better pay and conditions to attract and retain quality care workers
Benton’s Lodge resident and long time local advocate David Price agreed that there is a general lack of understanding of those in aged care and the issues they face. “We need to do better at engaging older community members. People should visit us more, and bring their pets!” Price said.
Zoe McKenzie continued her focus on crime with a $500,000 commitment, if the Liberals win government, to deliver a youth crime diversion program across the Mornington Peninsula. The funding would go to community-run programs that aim to strengthen youth engagement, encourage school attendance, expand employment pathways and foster community cohesion.
“This funding would support the local Mornington Peninsula community, particularly the young people around Hastings, Mornington and Rosebud,” said McKenzie. “This funding is a direct response to the concerns raised by our community. It is going straight to supporting our young people through grassroots solutions. “I’m proud to deliver this funding to support local service providers via the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council.”
Shadow Minister for Community Safety, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, Hon Jason Wood MP, was on the peninsula for the announcement and told The News “This investment will make a huge difference in young people’s lives by providing a program focused on personal growth, career readiness, social skills, and support for at-risk youth. This project will offer a safe and supportive environment where young people can access the skills, mentorship, and community connections needed to pursue fulfilling futures.”
McKenzie also announced an elected Liberal government would provide better access for girls to participate in community sport by delivering $242,000 to the Crib Point Football Netball Club to build new female change rooms and facilities. “I’ve had strong feedback from the Crib Point Football Netball Club about the need for better facilities for the girls,” said McKenzie. Adam Bamford, President of the Crib Point Football Netball Club, welcomed this commitment. “This vital upgrade to the Crib Point sporting precinct will better support dozens of local sporting groups and hundreds of women and girls, but also the broader community,” said Bamford.
The Greens candidate, Adam Frogley, has focussed on price gouging this week, believing that Labor have now adopted the Greens’ policy to make price gouging illegal, with big penalties for corporations who charge excessive prices. “Millions of people across this country are struggling to keep their heads above water. While supermarkets and big corporations are making massive profits,” said Frogley.
“The Greens introduced a bill into the Senate last year to outlaw price gouging. Both Labor and the Liberals voted against it in October,” said Frogley. “Labor now has just adopted our policy and we are thrilled! Let’s push down the cost of living, make groceries more affordable and stop supermarket super profits”.
Frogley said next on the Greens’ agenda is to make billionaires pay their fair share of tax.
“One in three big corporations pay zero tax. Yep, average workers are paying more tax than some big corporations. “They’ve allowed banking, supermarket and energy corporations to rake in billions in profits while millions of Australians struggle to make ends meet. “We are fighting to keep Dutton out and make Labor act,” said Frogley.
First published in the Mornington News – 8 April 2025
