O’Connor: ‘I’m the only viable alternative to Liberals’ INDEPENDENT candidate for Flinders Despi O’Connor says the main parties have “failed” to increase their relevance at the polls, and as an independent she “is likely” to be the only viable alternative to a Liberal candidate for Flinders. There are 10 candidates standing for Flinders, including the Voices of Mornington Peninsulabacked independent Sarah Russell (“Voices return to election race with second candidate” The News 14/2/22). “The majority of voters leaving the Liberal Party appear to have shifted their support to independent candidates,” O’Connor said. “The ALP, the Greens and other minor parties have either failed to meaningfully increase their share of votes since 2013 or have also experienced declines. “This pattern is remarkable in contrast with Victoria broadly, where declines in Liberal votes have led to increases in ALP vote share. “Recent polling reveals that this trend is holding true in 2022, with an extraordinary number of voters identifying as ‘unsure’ in March 2022.” O’Connor says her “community ties, high levels of name recognition [stemming from a year as Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor] and popular policy platform” have “groundswell support”. She says that despite being “largely ignored by the national media”, Flinders - safely held for the Liberals by retiring MP Greg Hunt for the past 20 years - is one of the toughest fights for the Liberals in the country. Liz Bell
‘Climate action’ call MEMBERS of climate action groups will be at the Fred Smith Reserve, Hastings from 10am on Saturday (7 May) “urging voters to vote for the climate and their local environment”. Members of the public are being urged to sign an open letter to all federal candidates calling for action on “damaging climate change”. Candidates in the Flinders electorate have
been invited to attend along with business representatives and individuals who have already signed the letter. Details: openletter.southeast@gmail.com
‘Free dental’ pledge THE Greens have promised that everyone eligible for a Medicare card will get free “clinically relevant dental services” The party says that under its plan, people will be able to choose their dentist and routine and therapeutic dental services will be bulk-billed or rebated. The $8 billion a year policy, “will be funded by making billionaires and big corporations pay their fair share of tax”. Greens candidate for Dunkley Liam O’Brien said people in his electorate were “putting off going to the dentist because they can’t afford it”.
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Veterans’ centre IF re-elected, the federal Coalition has committed to spending $5 million towards a Veteran Wellbeing Centre on the Mornington Peninsula. Liberal candidate for Flinders, Zoe McKenzie, said as decision would be made “in coming months” on who would run the centre and where it would be located. “The centre will be available to all current and former serving Australian Defence Force members, including reservists, and their families,” she said. “We have many veterans and their families living on the Peninsula, so having a dedicated Veteran Wellbeing Centre here is so important and will be hugely beneficial to our community. “This new local centre will make it easier for veterans, their families and current service personnel to access health and wellbeing support and assist them with finding work.”
Libs out bid Labor on sport promise LIBERAL candidate for Dunkley Sharn Coombes has made a pre-election promise of $15 million for upgrades to Mount Eliza’s Emil Madsen Reserve, just one month after Labor promised $10 million. The Liberal party has its sights firmly set on taking the key seat of Dunkley from Labor and spreading its reach across the peninsula. Coombes, who launched her campaign alongside Attorney General Michaelia Cash in Mount Eliza on Wednesday, said her plan for Dunkley was about supporting local communities and “delivering practical solutions to issues across our area”. Coombes said the upgrade at the reserve would include new pavilions, courts and playing surfaces. She has also promised $600,000 for the Mount
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Our Lady students at Laarni YEAR two Primary School Day. of Fatima during Harmony and Guyan Picture: Supplied
YEAR two students at Our Lady of Fatima Primary School Laarni and Guyan during Harmony Day. Picture: Supplied
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from schools in participated STUDENTS Peninsula Mornington at the end of March, Harmony Day in a range of activiof diversity getting involved to the theme ties linked parents and and inclusiveness. 25 March, On Friday Lady of Fatima PriOur held a crazy friends of in Rosebud of mary School where the rainbow run, of colour fun to the celebration colours added be used diversity. raised will The money for the school’s to buy resources which promotes a club, environment lunchtime and inclusive welcoming on the yard. for all children
Harmony in colour STUDENTS from schools around the Mornington Peninsula participated in Harmony Day at the end of March, getting involved in a range of activities linked to the theme of diversity and inclusiveness. On Friday 25 March, parents and friends of Our Lady of Fatima Primary School in Rosebud held a crazy colour fun run, where the rainbow of colours added to the celebration of diversity. The money raised will be used to buy resources for the school’s lunchtime club, which promotes a welcoming and inclusive environment for all children on the yard.
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for such a sensitive part of the bay.” The push for an artificial reef has largely been led by the government body the Victorian Fisheries Association, and the Futurefish Foundation, which describes itself online as “a fearless watchdog” representing recreational fishers, with an aim to “protect and enhance” recreational fishing throughout Victoria. One of its mandates is to increase the number of artificial reefs in all parts of Port Phillip. Continued Page 12
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LABOR WILL TACKLE CLIMATE CHANGE Our plan will: Boost renewables to 82% of the grid by 2030 Build community batteries for household solar including Flinders Make electric vehicles cheaper for families Create more than 600,00 jobs Cut power bills by $275 each year
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Authorised by Chris Ford, Australian Labor Party, Victorian Branch. 438 Docklands Drive, Docklands 3008.
Southern Peninsula News
4 May 2022 29/04/2022
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