“A re-elected Albanese Labor government” and “an elected Dutton Coalition government” appear to be throwaway lines in candidate announcements, but they are vitally important to the fate of candidate commitments. The failure of the Coalition to win government on Saturday will see the nearly $1b in commitments to the region made by Zoe McKenzie reduce to zero. McKenzie’s commitments were all conditional on the election of a Dutton Coalition government, and even if she continues as the Member for Flinders, they will not be fulfilled.
On the morning of the election, McKenzie told her social media followers “I have a detailed plan and commitments of almost $1b for our region – across public transport, better telecommunications, addressing youth crime, supporting our veterans and our scouts; and providing improved local facilities for our sporting groups; addressing beach erosion and building better walking trails, and expanding education facilities for kids with autism and young people with different abilities”.
Some of the McKenzie commitments that will now not be fulfilled include:
- $900m upgrade to the Frankston to Baxter rail line
- $5m commitment to establish a new veterans’ and families’ hub at Rosebud RSL
- $5m to upgrade the Somerville Recreation Reserve
- $2m investment to improve mobile coverage in Somerville
- $500,000 commitment to deliver a youth crime diversion program across the Mornington Peninsula
- $500,000 for Sages Cottage in Baxter
- $470,000 to construct new female change rooms at David MacFarlan Reserve in Sorrento
- $260,000 to repair the Birdrock Beach stairs
- $242,000 to the Crib Point Football Netball Club to build new female change rooms and facilities
- $40,000 commitment to repair the Somerville Scout Hall roof
Labor candidate Sarah Race also made a number of commitments that will now be fulfilled by a re-elected Albanese government, regardless of whether Race wins the seat or not.
These include:
- Opening an Urgent Care Clinic in Somerville for local, free, urgent care for our communities
- $10m for the Western Port Highway
- $1.3m for the Hastings Recreation Reserve
- $450,000 for the Rye Cricket Club, and
- $250,000 for Somerville netball facilities
First published in the Mornington News – 6 May 2025
