NEWS DESK
MP disagrees with boundary changes Neil Walker neil@mpnews.com.au FEDERAL Liberal MP Chris Crewther is lobbying the Australian Electoral Commission to prevent boundary changes to his electorate of Dunkley. Mr Crewther, who won the seat at the 2016 federal election with a slim majority, would face a tight fight to hold the seat if proposed AEC electorate boundary changes are made later this year. The Dunkley electorate will lose Mornington and the northern part of Baxter in its south to the seat of Flinders, held by Liberal MP Greg Hunt, and gain Carrum Downs, Sandhurst and Skye to the north from the Isaacs electorate, held by Labor MP Mark Dreyfus, if the changes become reality ahead of the next federal election. ABC elections analyst Antony Green estimates Dunkley would become winnable for Labor with a margin of 0.9 per cent based on votes cast in 2016. Mr Crewther wrote to community groups such as Baxter residents and traders group BRATPAC urging them to make submissions to the AEC objecting to the planned Dunkley electorate boundary changes. In an email to BRATPAC seen by The News, Mr Crewther said: “The proposal that they have indicated would mean that Baxter and Mornington would no longer be considered part of the Dunkley electorate – they would go into the
Flinders electorate. “Clearly I am not at all in agreement with this suggestion as I believe that Baxter is a vital part of the Dunkley electorate and very much a part of the lovely village/country feel that we all love and enjoy. I also believe Baxter, Mornington and Frankston are intrinsically connected.” Mr Crewther listed several potential objections to the boundary change in the email to BRATPAC. “This of course must be BRATPAC’s own submission in its/your own words. The AEC will likely favour arguments around combining suburbs/ towns insofar as possible, linking ‘communities of interest’ and clear geographical boundaries (such as roads, locality borders, waterways, etc). “They are not interested in political arguments around seat marginality (and associated funding), or whether the redistribution will favour one party or another.” The AEC is proposing changes to several electorate boundaries across the state in a reorganisation of electorates to accomodate two new electorates to reflect population growth and changes. One new electorate will be called Monash, taking in the eastern and northern parts of the existing Flinders electorate, and the other will be the Fraser electorate in Melbourne’s western suburbs. BRATPAC founding chairman Peter Baulch submitted objections to the
Dunkley changes in both BRATPAC’s and his behalf on 1 and 2 May respectively. Mr Crewther’s email to Mr Baulch and BRATPAC was dated 29 April. AEC spokesman Evan Ekin-Smyth said “there is nothing preventing” MPs encouraging community groups or residents to make submissions to the federal independent agency that coordinates and supervises federal elections and referendums. “It is fine for any person or organisation to campaign for a particular change to boundaries or names of electoral divisions or for people to object to a proposal,” Mr Ekin-Smyth said. When contacted by The Times, Mr Baulch said he believes the south part of Baxter should be moved from the Flinders electorate into Dunkley and all of Baxter should be placed in the Dunkley electorate. “The community shouldn’t be divided by electorate boundaries,” he said. “All of it should be in Dunkley because Baxter identifies with Frankston and Mornington and has no ties with the southern part of the peninsula.” Submissions to the AEC closed on 18 May. Individuals and organisations can make comments about the submissions until 6pm on Friday 18 May at aec.gov. au/electorates/redistributions online or by calling the AEC on 13 23 26. A decision on the changes will be made in June and a reported tabled for the Victorian Parliament in July.
Have your say
Nice to see you: Jackalope proprietor Louis Li welcomes Hillary Clinton to his Merricks North hotel last week. Picture: Supplied
Hillary the tourist HEADS turned and diners whispered … hey, isn’t that Hillary Clinton at that table over there? The US former First Lady and presidential candidate is certainly not your everyday guest but, there she was, enjoying lunch, at Merricks North’s luxury hotel Jackalope, Wednesday 9 May. “It was an honour and a pleasure to have had Ms Clinton drop in to Jackalope to dine with us at Rare Hare today,” the hotel’s general manager Tracy Atherton said. “Her PA made a booking and she was greeted by the hotel’s owner
REHAU Heritage Double Hung Windows Now Available
Reconciliation Action Plan You are invited to provide your thoughts on Mornington Peninsula Shire’s new Reconciliation Action Plan.
and trust between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous Australians living on the Mornington Peninsula.
Through the implementation of the Reconciliation Action Plan, the Shire aims to build on relationships, respect
Consultation closes 5pm Sunday 10 June 2018.
Louis Li who escorted her inside for lunch.” Ms Clinton shared a meal over two hours (1-3pm) with five other members of her party, before sampling wines with Willow Creek winemaker Geraldine McFall. Secret service agents sat discreetly nearby. Following a tip from reservations manager Catherine Flannery, the party then headed for Flinders, stopping – like any other tourists – at the blowholes. The next night Ms Clinton spoke for an hour to 5000 people at The Plenary, Melbourne Convention Centre.
Don’t sign until you’ve seen Living Design Double Glazing
Cool Gray 11 PMS 368
Non Flammable - BAL29 All Products Australian Made in our factory white
PMS 368 All Products Internally Glazed as Standard
Enhanced Security
Have your say Community workshops Friday 18 May, 10am – 1pm The Hastings Hub, 1973 Frankston-Flinders Rd Saturday 19 May, 10am – 1pm Rosebud Memorial Hall, 994 Point Nepean Road Online mornpen.vic.gov.au/haveyoursay
Maintenance Free (No Painting ever)
In writing Attention: Deborah Mellett Re: Reconciliation Action Plan Mornington Peninsula Shire Private Bag 1000, Rosebud, Victoria 3939 In person Hard copies are available at the Shire’s offices in Rosebud, Mornington, Hastings and Somerville.
Acknowledgement of Country Mornington Peninsula Shire acknowledges and pays respect to the Bunurong/ Boon Wurrung people, the traditional custodians of these lands and waters.
Non Corrosive Cyclone Rated/Weatherproof Eliminate Draughts Energy Efficiency
REHAU is a global leader in the UPVC window technology market. They supply High Weather Formula Window/Door frames– specifically designed for Australian conditions. We are a 5 star accredited REHAU manufacturer & Installer based on the Mornington Peninsula (REHAU quality assurance program).
Noise Reduction Sustainability Fully Welded Frames Affordable Dust Proofing 10 Year Unconditional Guarantee Locally Owned & Operated
For a NO OBLIGATION free quote call 5909-8040 or Kim 0412 221 767 Factory showroom open to the public at Factory 1, 7 Lyall St, Hastings We welcome visitors to our factory where you can view our windows and doors being manufactured or view our extensive range of affordable UPVC Double Glazed Windows and Doors.
For more information mornpen.vic.gov.au/haveyoursay
www.livingdesigndoubleglazing.com.au Mornington News 15 May 2018
PAGE 11