Non-equal rights for shire voters
In federal and state elections, those enrolled may vote in only one seat, the one in which they reside. The Victorian Parliament has enacted a new law which ensures that residents on the roll of any of its electorates are also automatically placed on the voters list of the municipality within it, where they live, but proprietors of businesses and owners of properties such as holiday homes in that municipality are required to make their own arrangements to be placed on the voters roll.
This means that all federal voters have equal opportunity to influence federal policy and voters in state electorates have equal opportunity to influence state policy. However, those who contribute in municipalities in which they do not reside, but contribute through rates and special levies, will get no say on municipal policy unless they find out that they need to enroll and the Mornington Peninsula Shire establishes a system for them to do so.
That is not the sort of thing that a busy chef could do. He is travelling down from Melbourne daily because he can’t find accommodation near his work place and if he tires of such a hectic schedule, his boss might have to close his cafe, putting young workers out of a job. He can’t vote for a candidate who would support non-resident essential workers in hospitality and health so the permanent residents of the whole municipality suffer.
Owners of holiday homes would waste their time protesting to the councillors if a three-storey complex was built next to his house, overshadowing his solar panels and his garden planned to allow just the right mix of sunshine and shade. Only councillors like the admirable David Gill would go out of their way to represent a ratepayer who has no voting power.
Ray Gibb, Rosebud
Nuclear too costly
The CSIRO’s latest GenCost report shows that solar and wind power, even including the cost of transmission and storage, is significantly cheaper than nuclear power would be. Flinders MP Zoe McKenzie should know that even in her electorate a significant proportion of residents are in the most disadvantaged categories according to the Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) (Welfare not nuclear, The News 6/8/24).
It would be far better if McKenzie pushed for rooftop solar and home batteries for residents who are struggling to make ends meet, as has been done elsewhere. The cost would be far less than any nuclear plant and it could be done now rather than in 20 years’ time. A chat with the good folk at local community org Repower Mornington Peninsula repowermornpen.org.au/ would be enlightening. Standing as an Independent would free McKenzie from party ideology.
Ray Peck, Hawthorn
Independent ‘a must’
The Mornington Peninsula currently has a federal representative who has consistently voted against market-led protection of biodiversity, against Australian-led industry, against federal action on public housing, against protection of Australian waterways, against the Paris Climate Agreement and against increasing transparency of big business. And yet [Flinders MP Zoe McKenzie] supports the introduction of nuclear power. (theyvoteforyou.org.au). How can this be called representation, other than representing the views of the Liberal Party elites and powerful industry lobby groups?
The only way to have the issues of the Mornington Peninsula truly represented in parliament is to have an independent candidate who is not beholden to any party and who will vote in the interests of what peninsula residents care about.
We are building a group of concerned locals who are concerned about the climate, the environment, social justice, homelessness and rising costs. As a group, we are working to find and support a candidate who will be a genuine representative of resident’s views. If you would like to join us, go to communityindependent4flinders.com.
It’s time to take a meaningful step towards making sure that the peninsula’s priorities are the number one priority for our representative.
Pam Pitt, Rye
Editor: Pam Pitt is one of the organisers of the Independent 4 Flinders group (Independent sought to ‘flip’ Flinders, The News 6/8/24).
Communicate policy
The article “‘Secret’ Meetings to Go Online, The News 31/7/24) immediately sparks interest but does not clearly explain the council’s transparency policy. The council should clearly communicate its policy to the public to keep everyone informed and prevent a divided community. However, this does not mean the council should seek public input on every issue before making a final decision.
Each councillor is responsible for conducting research and making decisions according to good governance.
This approach does not isolate them from the public; rather, it strengthens the connection once the councillors completely understand an issue and can report to the next council meeting and then to the public.
Frequent changes in decisions are weakening public support. The emphasis on transparency and clarity is overshadowing this issue. Also, the push for complete openness, including private discussions and workshops, is extraordinary.
Anne Kruger, Rye
Election clean-up
The post office is closing, the Bank of Queensland has closed and there are large amount of sales of properties in Frankston. There may be more closure of businesses if interest rates continue to rise. Frankston Council has embarked on a make over of Young Street, which has a few businesses, but is mostly social industries reliant on government revenue.
The council wants to clean up crime around the Frankston station which is the transport hub that attracts young people and crime. It is election time and councilors have learnt from their inner area councils that make-ups and footpath improvements and keeping the area clean means votes. Police are the crimebusters and quite obviously need to increase patrols in Young Street.
But what about other shopping strips? Are they going to ignored even though they pay the same rates? The council need to promote Frankston as Kingston Council is now doing and traders in Chapel Street, Prahran are also doing.
Drugs are a problem in Frankston and police need to focus on removing them.
Russell Morse, Karingal
Post office loss
I have been a resident of Frankston for 69 years. I have always been a customer at the Frankston central post office, Wells Street, Frankston together with my fellow residents and businesses. We all use and rely on the main post office in Wells Street. Australia post plans to discontinue this site from the 9 August 2024 and force customers to use smaller outlets further away. The aged, disabled, and businesses are all outraged, furious, upset and heartbroken about it.
Some of the aged are crying over it in my arms down the street saying “why is this this happening to us?”
We rely on the post office to pay all our essential bills. It is part of our everyday life. We are all upset and frightened. What is going to happen next in our lives?
The aged, frail, and disabled people. We need the post office in the Frankston CBD! We need someone to come forward to save our post office or ensure another post office is established in central Frankston. Ms Jodie Belyea MP was involved in trying to save the post office but it still shut. The mayor Nathan Conroy did the same. I have sent a letter to Mark Butler MP (Minister for the Age) and Michelle Rowland (Minister for Communications) but have not heard back.
I’ve even contacted the Prime Minister. Jode Belyea has stats to prove we need a post office in Frankston to pay our bills and a petition to show people support it. There are just no other options. Please can someone help us!
Pauline Stannells, Frankston
