Ask these questions of election candidates
Congratulations and thank you to the Committee for Frankston and Mornington Peninsula on the excellent federal election candidate forum held on 14 February in Mornington.
Southern Women’s Action Network (SWAN) was very pleased to attend and hear all candidates acknowledging the critical issue of the housing and homelessness crisis on the Mornington Peninsula.
The plight of our homeless, the lack of social housing and the unfairness of housing affordability is a huge problem both for our business sector trying to attract a stable well-trained workforce, and for our community support organisations trying to find homes for people in desperate need of shelter.
The solutions to this crisis are known. It requires good leadership and hard work by our elected representatives at all levels of government. It is very clear and was emphasised by the CFMP and others that the Mornington Peninsula is not getting its fair share of federal funding.
Our urgent need for new affordable housing, the provision of social housing and support for our homeless have been overlooked by successive governments for far too long. When you meet any federal election candidates – at a street stall, door knocking, via a phone call, at events – ask them stridently the following questions:
Will you commit to:
- funding a replacement for the peninsula’s only crisis accommodation, The Ranch?
- a considerable increase in the funding of our three local community support centres to assist with their escalating case-loads?
- as an urgent priority, providing significant funding of social housing projects in our local area?
Answers to the above questions will tell you a lot about a candidate that genuinely cares about our local area and will work hard to make our community a better place to live work and raise a family.
Lyn Jones, Southern Women’s Action Network committee member
Housing
Zoe McKenzie MP as our local representative seems to taking a bet each way with her latest newsletter. First decrying the ambition of the state government to have another 31,000 dwellings on the Mornington Peninsula. I wonder if Zoe is aware of the challenges for people on lower incomes looking for a place to rent down here. The unavailability of affordable rental accommodation is having a significant impact on local businesses who find it hard to staff their businesses because potential staff cannot find suitable rentals here.
Then Zoe talks about the need for careful planning to support more housing, though she does not mention the word affordable. Seems the Dutton/McKenzie approach is to provide money to developers to provide the basic services that once were part of any housing development.
Our independent candidate Ben Smith has said we do not have a housing supply problem on the peninsula, we have a housing use problem, (over 50% of houses in some areas were not occupied at the time of the census) though I haven’t heard Ben or Zoe suggest ways we address that down here.
Our new council has voted against a levy on new developments that might have helped provide affordable housing, yet I don’t see any discussion of that in Zoe’s pondering on housing. So maybe instead of taking the NIMBY approach, Zoe and her leader could have supported Labor’s housing initiatives, including shared equity schemes and the Housing Future Fund which has already seen $ allocated to build a Women’s Shelter on the peninsula as part of the fund for social and affordable housing, instead of voting against every single housing initiative that Labor has introduced.
Marg D’Arcy, Rye
Sign of the times
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council has a clear signage policy for electoral signage. “Electoral signs are permitted on private land with the owner’s consent and without the need for a planning permit, provided that: they are not displayed longer than 14 days after the event is held, or three months [total duration], whichever is sooner.”
Fence signs for Ben Smith have been popping up around Flinders since he launched his campaign in December. Zoe McKenzie is quickly catching up. In contrast, the Labor Party waited patiently until 17 February to put up our signs for Sarah Race. 17 February is three months before the latest date for the next federal election to be held.
We expect the Liberals to flout council’s rules. But community independents say they “do politics differently”. Haven’t seen much sign of that yet in Flinders.
Marilyn Merrifield, Rye
Vote splitting
With an election looming on the horizon, is it too much to ask for a bit of integrity in what is written into the letters pages. Two things I have always tried to do with my letters is show respect for the opinions of others and where possible, use facts to get my point across. That being said, I also expect others to do the same and not misrepresent my opinions or the facts put forward by others.
In last weeks letters (Independent, Letters 18/02/25) Ross Hudson quotes statistics from a couple of other letter writers in his letter, such as the voting percentages of the independents. He wrote “the independents share their vote between the Labor and the coalition”. So what were the figures from Lenzo’s letter that he was quoting? Liberal 41%, Labor 53% and the Greens 55%.
Looks like somewhere between the armchair and the computer Mr Hudson dropped the piece of paper with the Greens name on it.
M. G. Free, Mt Martha
Biased media
I’m replying to Cliff Ellen (Nightly news, Letters 18/2/25). I 100% agree with you that network 7 9 and 10 have been pro Liberals for years while find anything to make Labor look bad. It is known that these networks are owned by Liberal supporters, just like most of the newspapers that are owned by Murdoch, a well known Liberal supporter. It makes sense that you read the papers and they’re all pro Liberal reports and we can’t forget Sky which is also pro Liberal.
These networks also avoid bringing up Liberal mistakes, like Robodebt which they knew was illegal and cost stress and people lives. Don’t forget the trillion dollar debt the Liberals put Australia in but Dutton is trying to convince you that they are better with the economy than Labor.
Wake up, these networks and papers are driven by self interest to get the Liberals elected at any cost.
Kerrie McCoy, Dromana
Getting noticed
Thank you Graeme Burrowes (Laugh and the world…, Letters 18/2/25). It is nice to be noticed and know that my letters are being read.
Ross Hudson, Mount Martha
The last nail?
Has the last nail been driven into the coffin of democracy? Labor’s deal with the Coalition in a record short timeline with little debate and a quick “Yes” vote on political donations and spending caps is the only thing the political duopoly have been able to agree on for a long, long time other than the politics of fear.
If this is not rescinded after the next election we are condemned forever to the “democratic dictatorship” where we are allowed to vote every once in a while to just elect the next “democratic dictatorship”.
It is more important than ever to vote Independent with all indications pointing to a minority government. Political donations and spending caps? YES! Truth in political advertising even before the election period? YES! It will never happen with the political duopoly making sure our democratic choice is stymied. Independents will hold any government to account and keep them from running amok, with a minority government they balance the books on the democratic process.
This sham has little to do with political donations and spending caps. It puts anyone other than the “democratic dictatorship duopoly” at a great disadvantage. It puts us on a path to, ultimately, a Trumpism model of “democracy”. It takes away our ability to elect anyone other than the power hungry political machines grinding us into dust in the political outback.
Hilda McLeod, Dromana
Immigration
The next question is from Liberal MP Zoe McKenzie who asks: “The PM promised he would halve migration numbers. Instead he is bringing 1.8 million more people to Australia over five years during a housing crisis with higher rents and fewer homes being built. Why won’t the prime minister apologise for his weak leadership and wrong priorities”?
Peter Dutton has articulated various positions on Australia’s immigration policy. May 2024: proposed reducing the permanent migration program by 45,000 places. If every permanent migration category were reduced to zero, they would have to deny 14,840 Australians and New Zealanders entry.
December 2023: Albanese government released a ten-year strategy aiming to reduce Australia’s annual net migration intake to 250,000 by June 2025. 110,954 are permanent vias which means cutting to 250,00 which means a big cut to billions of dollars revenues and about 500,000 jobs.
I suggest these people revisit my letter (445,600 Immigrants?, Letters 4/2/25). Blaming migration for the lack of housing supply oversimplifies a complex issue and detracts from the systemic solutions needed to resolve it. I challenge The Sustainable Future Association, The Liberal Party and the Labor Party and also other all anti-immigrationists to reply to the data with a clear and concise proposal to reach their goals.
You can bet that’s not going to happen because they do not have a clue how to do it and just enjoy kicking a political football around the field. Imagine something improbable, then feed off the controversy. Doubt is the great divider and does not have to be true or based on fact.
I have been challenging the anti-immigrationists for at least a decade to provide their numbers to this dilemma. None have done so!
Joe Lenzo, Safety Beach
Power to the people
America seems reluctant to take our exports of aluminium and steel, leaving a lot of our production with nowhere to go if it happens. Simultaneously, we have an enormous shortage of houses; construction material deficits being a big part of the problem. Steel frame and concrete house construction has been around for decades. It is evolutionary and quite feasible that we stop using wood for house frames. It would not be too difficult to draw up standards and techniques for steel frame add-on modules and components to quickly build a multitude of solid houses everywhere.
Government could assist or even instigate. We could use all of that surplus steel and possibly export it to America in a new form: pre-fab house modules. Aluminium, too, might be used for cladding, roofing, window frames, fencing.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers wants Australian industry to happen, or so he says, and here is a very good opportunity to start some beneficial large scale manufacturing. Don’t stop at houses, this is just the tip of the iceberg of things we could manufacture, especially if we followed America’s lead on tariffs in this apparently new world economic system.
But wait! You need lots and lots of fairly cheap electricity to power up industry on this scale. You can’t run all of those arc welders, presses, furnaces and factories on two hour batteries or puffs of wind when the weather is very sub-optimal; nor can industry afford the extremely high price of renewable electricity as it is now, even with subsidies mostly for the voters.
So, forget industry, wealth in lieu of debt, houses, creativity, innovation, industrial might and power. It can never be done. Unless we go nuclear in the absence of coal.
Brian A Mitchelson, Mornington
Young leader
At just 18 years old, Finn Mackay has already proven himself to be the kind of young man our society needs more (Mt Eliza teen up for community award, The News 18/2/25). Selfless, hardworking, and deeply committed to making a difference.
While some may take from their communities, Finn has chosen to give, dedicating his time to clerical work in a politician’s office and hands-on involvement in local initiatives. His efforts have not gone unnoticed, as he has been nominated for a Young Achiever Award, recognizing his dedication and integrity.
Finn stands as a beacon of hope, reminding us that young people can be forces for good when given the opportunity and encouragement. His willingness to step up, serve, and contribute speaks volumes about his character. In a world where negative stories too often dominate the headlines, young individuals like Finn restore faith in the future. His actions remind us that real strength is found not in taking but in giving, not in causing harm, but in creating positive change.
Let us celebrate Finn Mackay – not just for what he has done, but for the example he sets for others. If we want a better world, it begins with recognizing and uplifting young people like him.
Anne Kruger, Rye
Eyes wide shut?
Antisemitism and homeless, our daily news, the latter understandable (up to a point) by way of millionaires stuffing up the market. But why religion, why not skin colour, sexuality, country of origin? Do we live among ratbags? It’s got me tossed.
Cliff Ellen, Rye
Heat pumps
Your articles under the banner Repower Mornington Peninsula are timely because of the government rebates available and the savings that can be made getting off gas. Having recently replaced our old gas hot water service with a heat pump, I can vouch for the advice and information in the article (Heat pump hot water wipes hundreds off energy bills, The News 18/2/25).
Our gas bills in recent times have been astronomical mainly due to heating. Using split system heat pumps to replace the ducted gas and another heat pump to heat the hot water has saved over $1000 per year – and the house is on the small side. I am staggered how efficient the new heat pumps are. Together with government rebates, the units should pay for themselves in around five years. While the induction hob is not so much of a financial saving, it is a delight to use, especially to clean and so much healthier and safer.
In the same way we look back at heating our living rooms and hot water with briquettes as obsolete, I am sure in a few years we will think the same about gas.
Ray Peck, Hawthorn
Best sandwich applauded
Some time ago I thought about submitting a letter complaining about all the whingers who monopolise these pages, but then I realised that by having a whinge about the whingers I would only be contributing to the whingefest.
Imagine my surprise upon reading Lance Rickard’s letter (Best sandwich, Letters 18/2/25) where he declared he had ordered a toasted pastrami sandwich with pickles and cheese from a sandwich bar in Mornington, and he stated the sandwich was the best he had ever eaten.
Mr. Rickard is completely out of kilter in making such a statement, and will be widely condemned, but for my part, I heartily applaud his cheery positivity. Reading his letter was like gazing upon a field of sunflowers.
Tony Nemaric, Somerville
