MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Anthony Marsh is set to travel to Canberra this month for a joint advocacy visit to Parliament House, where he will meet with federal decision-makers to champion key priorities for the region.
On 25 and 26 August Marsh will join the council’s CEO Mark Stoermer, alongside Frankston City Council mayor Kris Bolam, to meet with members of the federal government and opposition.
Marsh said among the top priorities on the agenda to be discussed, which would occur during a parliamentary sitting week, was advocating for the 2025 federal election commitments to be honoured across the region, including the Somerville urgent care clinic and projects in Rye, Somerville and Hastings.
Improved public transport and infrastructure, and federal government support for housing would also be raised as the shire currently received “very little support from the state government,” said Marsh.
Mornington Peninsula federal MPs Jodie Belyea (Dunkley) and Zoe McKenzie (Flinders) have coordinated the meetings, “providing an opportunity to advocate for regional priorities with newly appointed government and opposition representatives following the federal election,” a shire report said.
“The mayor has opted to prioritise this visit over attending the National General Assembly (NGA), as the NGA’s timing immediately after the election and outside a parliamentary sitting week would have limited advocacy outcomes. This Canberra visit is expected to deliver a more targeted, effective, and efficient use of council’s time and resources,” it said.
“It’s 24 hours effectively to fly in and fly out and meet as many ministers and members of the opposition as possible and hopefully advocate for the region,” said Marsh.
The mayor’s visit, which will cost a total of $970, was unanimously approved by councillors at their 12 August meeting.
Also joining Marsh will be a committee for Frankston and Mornington Peninsula (CFMP) CEO Josh Sinclair and an advocacy team from Frankston City Council.
The CFMP is an independent, member-based organisation committed to leading and influencing long-term outcomes and contributing to advocacy goals for Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula.
The Frankston mayor however expressed reservations about the trip, telling The News he was “not comfortable participating in a delegation led by what is, in effect, a lobbyist organisation”.
“I believe the city council should maintain an appropriate and professional distance from special interest groups to ensure impartial decision-making,” said Bolam.
“Although I have reservations about the optics, as mayor I remain committed to respecting the majority view of the council. I also acknowledge the efforts of Jodie Belyea in arranging several meetings with senior politicians and will therefore attend – albeit reluctantly.”
The mayor was the only councillor who did not vote in favour of the trip at Frankston Council’s meeting on 11 August.
The trip comes amid growing tensions between Frankston Council and the Mornington Peninsula Shire. The News understands that a proposal for a partnership between Frankston Council, the Mornington Peninsula Shire, and Kingston Council was recently rejected by Mornington Peninsula Shire – with the decision causing issues between Frankston Council and the shire behind closed doors.
Shire deputy mayor Cr Paul Pingiaro supported the trip, saying “this is not a junket” but a worthwhile visit focussed on delivering tangible benefits for the community.
Cr David Gill also voted in favour of it, noting while “we do draw a line and a fairly combative line with overseas travel,” he applauded the mayor and any others joining him as “every case should be supported and encouraged as much as possible, not just some”.
A report of the trip’s outcomes will come back to the shire within 30 days of the representatives’ return.
With Brodie Cowburn.
First published in the Mornington News – 19 August 2025
