Police patrol
VEC not handing out contact details
with Brodie Cowburn
Drive safe at school SCHOOLS are back for Victorian students, and police are warning drivers to be extra careful around school zones. Victoria Police road policing command assistant commissioner Libby Murphy urged caution for drivers around schools. “Children are understandably excited to get to school and see their friends after a lengthy break,” she said. “In that excitement, it can be easy to forget the dangers of the road and passing traffic. “Whether kids are walking or riding their bike to and from school, or getting out of a car to walk to the front gate, if a child is hit at greater than
40km an hour they have very little chance of survival. Slow down, be patient and stick to the speed limit. “With extra people moving about, it is so important that we take note of those reduced speed limits and stick to them. Police will be actively patrolling in and around school zones to make sure everyone gets to and from school safely. If you choose to speed, expect to get caught.” The minimum penalty for speeding in a school zone is a $207 fine, and the loss of one demerit point.
Push to stop bikes MONKEY bike riding in Frankston North is being reported to police at an
increasing rate. A statement on the Frankston police eyewatch page read that “police are again appealing for information in relation to monkey bike offending in the Frankston North area. We are aware of an increase in incidents in the Monterey Reserve and surrounding streets.” “Any mobile phone footage is requested. Unfortunately, we are still experiencing injury collisions and fatalities. You all have some information we want. We continue to request for more information on this offending. If you know something, say something.” Information can be reported confidentially to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at www.crimestoppers. com.au
THE Victorian Electoral Commission has issued a statement to reassure residents that it does not distribute contact details to candidates. Electoral commissioner Warwick Gately said “some voters in the current local council elections have become concerned upon receiving text messages from local council candidates in their campaigning.” “I understand voters in a small number of wards have received text messages on behalf of candidates for local council elections. The messages were not sent using enrolment information available to them through the VEC,” he said. “Upon being contacted by voters about the origin of the contact details, some council candidates mistakenly stated that they were provided by the VEC. I can definitively state that the VEC does not provide voter mobile phone number or email address details to candidates or political parties. If anyone is concerned, they should take it up directly with the candidate or the person who authorised the message.”
Investment wanted for social housing DUNKLEY MP Peta Murphy has used anti-poverty week to shine a light on local homelessness. Ms Murphy said that 600 local people were currently homeless, and that a shortfall of 3000 social housing dwellings exists. “Housing affordability is one of the biggest issues facing Australians, and the COVID-19 crisis has made it even clearer just how important safe and af-
fordable housing is,” Ms Murphy said. “For months Labor has been calling on the Morrison government to invest more in social housing. It would provide thousands of jobs, stimulate the economy and put a roof over the head of Australians who desperately need it. “There are more Australians experiencing homelessness than ever before, particularly among women and children experiencing domestic and family violence, older women, veterans and our First Nations people. “Labor is calling on the Morrison government to create work for thousands of tradies in almost every suburb and town across Australia by investing half a billion dollars to fast-track urgent repairs to social housing. This is exactly what Dunkley needs.”
Woman of the year nominations open THE search has begun to find Kingston’s 2021 woman of the year. Nominations are now open for the award, which launched in 2019. Last year’s winner, June Rea, said “to have been chosen as the winner from such an outstanding field of nominees is very humbling.” “I strongly encourage you to consider nominating deserving women of Kingston who are making great contributions across many varied fields within their community.” Kingston Council CEO Julie Reid says that “these are women who make incredible contributions to their community every day, are passionate and extraordinarily devoted to what they do.” The winner will be announced at an event on 5 March, 2021. Nominations close 30 November. To nominate someone visit kingston.vic. gov.au/kwa
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Frankston Times
20 October 2020
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