THE electoral rolls have now closed for the Nepean by-election with the VEC reporting that 50,910 people are enrolled to vote at the 2 May poll; an increase of 1900 voters since the 2022 state election.
With less than four weeks until polling day, there are still six candidates who have signalled their intention to run for the Nepean by-election: Anthony Marsh (Liberal Party), Tracee Hutchinson (Independents of Mornington Peninsula endorsed candidate), Sianan Healy (The Greens), Darren Hercus (One Nation), Peter Angelico (Libertarian), and Milton Wilde (End Mass Immigration – Reform AU).
Of those six, five are officially registered on the VEC website as having nominated with only Marsh’s nomination to come.
Nominations for the by-election close at 12 noon on Thursday 9 April for registered political party candidates and 12 noon on Friday 10 April for independent candidates.
The hot topic for the Nepean by-election continues to be Rosebud Hospital with One Nation’s Darren Hercus weighting into the fray in the last week.
In a swipe at the Liberal Party’s commitment to spend $340m rebuilding Rosebud Hospital, Hercus released a statement stating that he supported a “public-private-partnership” to rebuild the hospital that he said would “save taxpayers up to $340m”.
Hercus said he believes the residents of Nepean had been exceedingly tolerant of what he described as a “dilapidated health facility that was no longer fit for purpose”.
“The Rosebud Hospital has been starved of desperately needed funding and resources for too long, and our community deserves so much better,” Hercus said,
“My firm view is that the resources, funding, and facilities available at the Frankston Hospital should be matched here at Rosebud, and if a PPP is the vehicle to do that, then let’s get it done.”
The One Nation candidate said he was “shocked that the community was expected to tolerate the constant ad hoc, band-aid repairs at the hospital.”
“Everyone is tired of having sand kicked in their faces,” he said.
Liberal Party candidate Anthony Marsh has continued door knocking, again joined by some big names from the party.
On Easter Saturday he was joined at Hill & Ridge Community Market by leader of the Victorian Liberal Party Jess Wilson.
The party leader has been a familiar presence during the campaign, and was seen performing dual roles of party leader and parent while out and about at the market.
Marsh posted to social media during the week, changing a blown tyre after hitting a pothole on Eastbourne Road, talking about the poor condition of state government-managed roads.
The Greens candidate Sianan Healy stated her belief that the housing crisis had become a full-blown emergency on the Mornington Peninsula.
She outlined a specific package for Nepean – from a purpose-built crisis accommodation facility on the southern peninsula to stronger rent caps and vacancy taxes aimed at turning empty investment properties and holiday homes back into real housing.
Healy was also campaigning at Hill & Ridge Community Market on Saturday.
Independent for Mornington Peninsula endorsed candidate Tracee Hutchison has been busy campaigning around the electorate.
She will join supporters for a an event “Band Together 4 Tracee” this Sunday for an afternoon of live music, community and connection at Penni Ave Distillery in Rye.
Her announcement states “Organised by young people from across Nepean, this event brings together incredible local artists and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere for all ages”.
First published in the Mornington News – 7 April 2026
