Libs catch ‘boaties’ vote with first cast CAMPAIGNING for the 24 November state election is already underway, although just one of the major parties seems to have acknowledged the existence off the Mornington Peninsula. With the peninsula’s three state seats - Nepean, Mornington and Hastings - solidly held by the Liberals, Labor could be seen as already accepting there will be no change. The Premier Daniel Andrews and even newly-anointed Prime Minister Scott Morrison have been active in neighbouring marginal Frankston, but neither has seen fit to wander any further south. Frankston is held for Labor with a slim majority by Paul Edbrooke. He is being opposed for the Liberals by policeman, Mick Lamb. Greens convener for the peninsula Kelvin Stingel said Paul Saunders will stand in Nepean, David Sinclair in Mornington and Nathan Lesslie in Hastings. Mr Saunders will oppose Russell Joseph, who is hoping to gain the job of his boss, current long serving Liberal MP Martin Dixon. The Liberals publicity machine is as is done by all parties - churning out news releases that differ only in the name of the candidate (or sitting MP). One of the latest lures to gain votes was aimed fairly and squarely at “local boaties and recreational fishers in (whatever electorate is being lobbied)”. The news release details plans by
a Liberal Nationals government to “create a Blue Infrastructure Fund to provide first-class infrastructure and services for recreational water users like more boat ramps, jetties, navigational lighting as well as onshore facilities such as bigger car parks and cleaning tables”. The release issued by Mornington MP David Morris differs only to that of his Liberal colleague in Hastings, Neale Burgess, by mentioning Port Phillip and not Western Port. A near-identical release was put out by Liberal leader Matthew Guy. The opposition parties say they will spend more of the revenue collected by government from boating users than is spent by the Andrews Labor government. “The Blue Infrastructure Fund will invest in infrastructure like more boat ramps, jetties, navigational lighting and onshore facilities that improves access, enjoyment and protection to Victoria’s waterways,” the MPs announce in unison. And their lure seems to have worked already with VRFish, with the self-described “peak body representing Victorian recreational fishers” predicting the Blue Fund would “revolutionise the state’s failing boating infrastructure”. A statement issued on 11 September under the name of VRFish chairman Rob Loats quotes the same set of figures as the news release issued by the Liberal Party. Keith Platt
Bold plans: The Andrews Labor Government has promised to spend more than $500 million to revamp Frankston Hospital if it wins the November state election. The plans unveiled by Labor last week include two connected 11-storey towers. Illustration: Supplied
Labor pledge for hospital Brodie Cowburn brodie@mpnews.com.au FRANKSTON Hospital could be set to receive a major facelift, after the state Labor government promised $562 million for its ongoing development should the party be re-elected in November. Plans for the hospital include a new 11-storey building housing 120 new hospital beds, two operating theatres, and 13 emergency department beds. Premier Daniel Andrews visited the hospital on 10 September to announce that a re-elected state Labor government would deliver on the project. “We said we’d build a bigger emergency department at Frankston Hospital and we have, but there’s more to do,” Mr Andrews said.
“Only Labor will transform Frankston Hospital to give the growing number of young mums and families the world class healthcare they can rely on.” Work on the proposed project will start in 2020, and is projected to finish in 2024. Twelve new short stay emergency beds were recently opened at the hospital and work is underway on a crisis hub for the emergency mental health care centre. Two levels of the 11-storey hospital building will be used for mental health services. A new maternity ward, obstetrics ward, women’s clinic, paediatric ward, oncology ward, and special care nursery are also among the planned additions to the hospital. Early plans for the new building show the 11-storey building split
into two towers. Frankston mayor Cr Colin Hampton described Mr Andrews’ election promise as a “fantastic outcome”. Council has been supporting relocation of the Frankston Tennis Club to make way for the hospital expansion. The club occupies the crown land required for the project. “To ensure this 127 year old club’s rich history remains alive and well, council has developed plans for a proposed new multisport complex at Centenary Park in Langwarrin,” Cr Hampton said. “We have already committed $11 million towards delivering the project, but we still need state and federal governments to contribute an equal share which will give Frankston Tennis Club and Bayside Gymnastics Club a new home.”
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