THEY say a week is a long time in politics, and much has changed in the last seven days.
Anthony Marsh was preselected as the Liberal Party’s candidate for the Nepean by-election last Tuesday, and has wasted no time in “hitting the hustings”.
It wasn’t even close last Tuesday with Marsh winning the vote for preselection in the first round. Out of 19 votes cast, it is understood Marsh received 10 votes, Briony Camp received four votes, Nathan Conroy received three votes, and David Burgess received two votes.
A statement posted to the Liberal Party’s website from Marsh said “The peninsula deserves to have a local in their corner, who can deliver the solutions we need to upgrade local roads, deliver health services when you need them and start to turn around Labor’s crime crisis. The only way to do that is to elect someone who’s part of a team.”
“I can no longer sit by and watch this bad Labor Government destroy the region, and the state I call home. I’m ready to be part of a Team that will make the tough decisions and the right decisions to change the direction of our state and the peninsula.”
On Wednesday, Marsh took leave from his role as both Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor and Briars Ward councillor, effective immediately, elevating deputy mayor Cr Paul Pingiaro into the chair at least until 2 May. It may be an even longer stint in the top job for Pingiaro if Marsh is elected on 2 May, and a Briars Ward by-election is needed to fills Marsh’s council role.
Marsh was joined in Dromana on Saturda (28 February) by the Victorian Liberal Party’s leader, Jess Wilson.
In a press conference, Marsh said “I think we’ve got an incredible 60 odd days ahead of us leading up to May the 2nd and I’ll be on the ground each and every day listening to our community about what’s important to them.”
“This by-election presents an opportunity for us to take that first step to change the government. So what I’ll be doing is showing the community that I’m listening to them and that we have a fresh start ahead of us with an alternative government coming in November and I’m excited for that challenge.”
Not so excited about the by-election are Labor faithful who are coming to the realisation that the party will not contend the 2 May poll, electing to wait until November to have a crack at Nepean.
It is believed the decision is due to a long-held convention of Labor’s of not contesting by-elections in seats they don’t hold, despite the seat being held by Labor in the 2018-2022 term.
A Labor insider told The News that local supporters were bitterly disappointed at the decision but the number crunchers in party headquarters couldn’t be swayed.
In other news Dromana businessman Darren Hercus has been selected to be the candidate for One Nation in the by-election.
Hercus lives in Saftey Beach with his wife and two adult children.
Speaking to The News, Hercus said “I feel that both the major parties have neglected the Nepean electorate. Take for example the Rosebud Hospital – with aging facilities and machines the hospital only received $4m dollars the last financial year for essential repairs and upgrades. Often, particularly in busy summer periods patients must be transferred to Frankston Hospital. However, Frankston – a traditional Labor party stronghold – has been funded a state-of-the-art medical facility at a cost of around $1.1b.
“Other issues are the cost and supply of housing which sadly has forced many people into homelessness, failing infrastructure such as road networks, increasing crime rates around 30% in the last two years and a lack of funding for frontline and emergency service workers.
“We desperately need additional funding for the Rosebud Hospital and for front line and emergency service workers. We need to address the housing shortage, by reducing the cost and red tape involved with residential construction and by encouraging sensible private residential development. I’d be pushing for greater funding for road and infrastructure repair and maintenance also. I want to help make sure the Mornington Peninsula remains an amazing place to live.”
With long-time Liberal Party member Peter Angelico endorsed as the Libertarian candidate, there are only conservative candidates currently campaigning for Nepean.
Without Labor running, all eyes will be on the Independents for Mornington Peninsula who are still undertaking a candidate search.
They have told The News they will be running a candidate, who will be announced in due course, but with under nine weeks until polling date, the clock is ticking.
First published in the Mornington News – 3 March 2026
