HUNDREDS of disgruntled locals joined Independent candidate for Flinders, Ben Smith, on Sunday to demand urgent action to save Rosebud Hospital. “The Rosebud Hospital is the only public hospital serving the entire peninsula, and it’s quite literally falling apart while both major parties have failed to secure the funding we desperately need,” Smith said.“Peninsula residents should not be forced to travel up to 80 kms away to Melbourne for urgent treatment. The neglect of the Rosebud hospital is just another example of our region being out of sight and out of mind for too long. We urgently need to change…
Browsing: Federal Election
ABACUS Learning Centre in Hastings, which provides invaluable therapy and support for children with autism, is in desperate need of a shade sail for their students. That’s why an elected Coalition Government will provide $20,000 for the purchase and installation of a shade sail at Abacus Learning Centre.Our kids deserve safe outdoor play, without exposure to harmful UV rays. Australians suffer skin cancer at greater rates than any other country in the world, and the Mornington Peninsula has the highest rate of melanoma in Melbourne. At least two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime.…
A FULL house attended the campaign launch of Labor Candidate for Flinders Sarah Race at the Hastings Bowling Club on Sunday.Race was officially introduced by Assistant Minister for Women, Ageing, and Social Security, Kate Thwaites MP, as Labor mounts its biggest-ever campaign for the seat of Flinders. Thwaites fired up the crowd, describing how Labor has supported working families and highlighted how a re-elected Labor government would continue to Build Australia’s Future. Thwaites spoke of the investments Labor is making for local families, including in Child Care, Aged Care, and Medicare – reforms that are making it easier for families…
INDEPENDENT candidate for Flinders, Ben Smith, has called on the Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan to give Peninsula residents a say on the $25 million Arthurs Seat Eagle redevelopment. The project is being fast-tracked through the state government’s Development Facilitation Program, bypassing local council oversight. There has been minimal consultation with the community about the impacts of the project.“Decisions that will reshape our region should not be made from Spring Street without listening to the people who live here,” Smith said. “Arthurs Seat is not just another development site – it’s a treasured state park with deep environmental and community significance.…
LIBERAL Zoe McKenzie, Federal Member for Flinders, welcomed Sussan Ley, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, and Shadow Minister for Small and Family Business, to the Flinders electorate on January 28, to participate in a roundtable with leading businesswomen from the Mornington Peninsula.The roundtable was facilitated by the Committee for Frankston and Mornington Peninsula, and held at Sages Cottage Farm in Baxter. A difficulty in attracting and retaining staff post-COVID, high energy prices, difficult-to-navigate industrial relations laws and the large state tax burden were issues raised by the group.According to the 2021-22 Mornington Peninsula Business Survey, there are approximately 15,800 businesses…
CFFMP AT this year’s federal election, the results in both Dunkley and Flinders will shape the national outcome in Canberra. The pathway to forming government will see major party leaders visit Dunkley over coming months, while Flinders is shaping up to be a three-cornered contest between the Liberals, Labor and a Community Independent.The Committee was pleased to facilitate a Federal Candidates Forum held on 14 February in Mornington with all major candidates for both electorates. More than 200 people attended the event at Mornington Racecourse for the forum hosted by the ABC’s Patricia Karvelas.As the peak advocacy body for the…
LABORFRIENDS of Peninsula Home Hospice hosted Rosie Batty AO for a sold out fundraising luncheon at the Blairgowrie Yacht Club last Thursday. Peninsula Home Hospice provides free critical support to people on the Mornington Peninsula who are suffering life-limiting illnesses in the comfort and safety of their own homes.Labor candidate for Flinders Sarah Race attended the luncheon to show her commitment to the health care sector and health care workers. Primary health care plays a crucial role in our communities. It gives patients access to the right care at the right time, leading to improved health outcomes and reduced pressure…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has launched their “Shout Out for the Peninsula” advocacy campaign in the lead up to the 2025 federal election. The campaign consists of a list of “investment–ready projects” that the shire will advocate for, the reintroduction of the “pledge tracker” to monitor funding pledges made during the campaign, and a community election forum.The cornerstone of the shire’s campaign is a ten page document containing a list of investment–ready projects. The 125 projects in the document have a total value of approximately $300m. Items range widely in size and complexity, with big ticket items including a “Somerville to…
INDEPENDENT candidate for Flinders Ben Smith has called for urgent action to make healthcare accessible for everyone after data showing bulk billing no longer exists for many patients on the peninsula.The latest Cleanbill report shows that of 42 clinics across the electorate of Flinders only four are still able to offer bulk-billing to all patients, with the average cost of a standard consultation being $86.80.Medicare data shows that the Mornington Peninsula bulk billing rate is only 67% – 11% below the state average. For people aged 16-64, the bulk billing rate falls to 56%.Smith said the cost of visiting a…
SOMERVILLE Recreation Reserve would be upgraded under a $5m plan if Flinders MP Zoe McKenzie is re-elected and the Liberal Party takes office at the federal election. The proposed revamp would benefit the football, netball and cricket clubs, as well as the Somerville Scout Group, whose hall is in desperate need of repair.Currently, 49 sporting teams call the reserve home, which has cricket nets, six tennis courts, two netball courts, three pavilions, two playgrounds, an oval, a scout hall, public toilets and a bowls club.But McKenzie said many of these clubs were relying on facilities “that belong in the last…
LABOR candidate for Flinders Sarah Race joined representatives Ross Kilborn and Graeme Rocke from Mornington Community Safe Link Group, Labor Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh, and about 20 community members to cycle along a section of the Peninsula Trail. The Peninsula Trail is a 170km mostly continuous walking and cycling trail circling the Mornington Peninsula.The Mornington Community Safelink Group has been advocating for five years for the completion of the Peninsula Link Trail from Moorooduc Station, into Mornington. It will connect the rest of Melbourne with Mornington and Mt Martha, and offer safe off-road walking and riding for nearly…
FLINDERS MP Zoe McKenzie has pledged $500,000 in funding to help boost jobs and opportunities for adults with different abilities at Sages Cottage in Baxter, if re-elected. The heritage-listed cottage sits within a 38-acre farm and café run by people with a disability. It is operated by not-for-profit disability support group Wallara Australia, which welcomes more than 50,000 visitors each year.McKenzie last week announced a promise to fund an inclusive jobs hub initiative at Sages Cottage allowing it to expand its workforce and increase visitors, if re-elected at the federal election this year. Currently 80 special needs young adults operate…
COMMUNITY independent candidate for Flinders Ben Smith has set himself a challenge to meet as many members of the peninsula community as he can in the next month. His 30 day Listening Lap marathon kicked off last Friday in front of dozens of supporters and interested locals at the Flinders Golf Club.“This what being a community independent is all about; listening to members of our community and hearing their priorities,” said Smith. “Time and time again, I hear that locals feel ignored and neglected by the major parties, treated as just another safe seat. “Almost everyone raises the state of…
LABOR candidate for Flinders, Sarah Race, has welcomed the federal government’s announcement that Women’s Community Shelters (WCS) will be funded to purchase three dwellings on the Mornington Peninsula.The funding is part of a $100 million commitment to 41 organisations around Australia for new crisis and transitional housing for women and children experiencing family and domestic violence. The organisation is in the process of establishing their first Victorian-based shelter on the peninsula. It will provide crisis accommodation for up to 70 clients within the first year including 30 women and 40 children, totalling over 3,400 bed nights.WCS operate a unique social…
INDEPENDENT candidate for Flinders Ben Smith has launched a petition demanding that the federal and state governments commit to saving and upgrading Rosebud Hospital.“The Rosebud Hospital is the only public hospital serving the entire peninsula, and it’s literally falling apart while both major parties have failed to secure the funding we desperately need,” Smith said. “For our growing community of young families and seniors, having a properly funded local hospital isn’t just about convenience – it’s about saving lives when every minute counts. “This is just another example of how the residents of the peninsula are overlooked. We may be…
THE Labor Party has named ex-Mornington Peninsula Shire councillor Sarah Race as its candidate for the seat of Flinders at the 2025 federal election, selecting her unopposed.“I am a local volunteer and advocate – from my kids’ kinder committee to sports clubs and business groups, I have been putting my hand up for our community,” said Race. “We’ve had the same Liberal politicians for 40 years, but I’m here to change that. Protecting the peninsula lifestyle and making life easier and more affordable for locals are my key priorities.”Race lives in Tootgarook with her husband Andy and two kids Nellie…
BEN Smith has been named as the “Independent 4 Flinders” candidate for the upcoming federal election.Smith, of Cape Schanck, is a small business owner, and has been the CEO of the Mornington Community Support Centre since 2022. He was also awarded the 2024 Victorian Father of the Year award in August, being honoured for his “community advocacy and deep love for his family”.“The Peninsula community has been taken for granted by the major parties for far too long,” said Smith. “It is time to send an independent to Canberra to fight for the services and infrastructure we need.” Smith told…