HMAS Cerberus land sale a shameless act
The federal government calls the proposed sale of most of HMAS Cerberus a “divestment process” and a new use for “surplus land”.
It is in fact nothing of the sort. It is a naked sellout of Australia’s natural assets cloaked in the weasel words of the Department of Defence – and the fumbling and bumbling bureaucrats who came to the recent so-called community consultation event at Crib Point Primary school, last Wednesday night 10th June.
The politicians who actually proposed these changes did not have the courage to face the ridicule and contempt that they deserve.
This large but rare remaining pocket of untouched bush must remain as it is – a vital haven for many endangered plants and animals- already thoroughly documented by the Westernport and Peninsula Protection Council and other wildlife groups.
Australia already leads the rest of the world in extermination of its native flora and fauna- mostly by habitat loss and it has to stop.
Michael O’Ryan, Mt Eliza
Cerberus land meeting
On 10 June, I joined more than 300 community members at the community meeting held at Crib Point Primary School to hear from the Department of Defence regarding the proposed divestment of land at HMAS Cerberus.
During the meeting, I was asked to provide an update on council’s position regarding the proposed land divestment. I would like to provide some additional information about the process council is undertaking in response.
Council’s draft submission regarding the proposed divestment of Cerberus land is scheduled to be considered at the council meeting on 7 July. At that meeting, council will be asked to approve the draft submission for community consultation.
Subject to council approval on 7 July, the community consultation period will commence on 14 July and run for six weeks.
This consultation period will provide the community with an opportunity to have their say on how they would like council to respond through its submission to the Department of Defence.
Once community feedback has been received and assessed, the submission will be finalised and brought back to council for consideration and final endorsement at a future council meeting.
Another question raised at the meeting related to the potential impact of sea level rise on the Cerberus site. As I mentioned on the night, community members can access relevant mapping information through council’s website by going to the Planning section and selecting the Climate Change Hazards layer.
This mapping provides information on projected climate change impacts, including coastal inundation and sea level rise by the year 2100.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to send me an email and I will do my best to assist.
Cr Michael Stephens, Warringine Ward
Give bees a chance
Full credit to the Mornington Peninsula Beekeepers Association, who are working hard to contain the destructive varroa mite, which has sadly reached the Peninsula (Beekeepers seek land as mite infects local hives, The News 9/6/26).
Bees are remarkable creatures. They not only provide us with honey and beeswax, but their pollination underpins around a third of the world’s food production.
Humans quite literally rely on insects like bees to survive.
It’s vital that we support our beekeepers and protect our bee populations.
Who has land available to help quarantine hives affected by the varroa mite? Seems like the Beekeepers Association could put it to good use.
Amy Hiller, Kew
Getting the facts correct
Thanks to Bruce White (Not a Dan fan, Letters 9/6/26) for pointing out the massive infrastructure projects of the Andrew’s government.
However he failed to give credit to Henry Bolte whose government also created massive infrastructure projects – the building of Tullamarine Airport, Monash and La Trobe Universities, the Monash freeway to name a few.
Like all good governments he was prepared to provide these works and therefore had a large debt. This was over 50, in fact nearly 60% of the Gross State Product.
Future generations now receive the benefits and future generations will also receive the benefits from the projects of present Labor government
Sadly he didn’t check facts regarding COVID -19 deaths in Australia.
He stated there were 400 deaths in Victoria that amount equal to the total deaths in all other states and territories.
According to the Bureau of Public Statistics in 2024 there were 17,276 deaths due to the COVID pandemic in total in Australia.
NSW had 6069, Victoria 5735, and the other states between 340 and 2488 . All state governments received money from the federal government to pay government employees.
Fortunately deaths in Australia were much lower than in other similar countries to ours with New Zealand, Japan and Australia rated the best in the world. I’m grateful that the lockdowns we had saved lives and protected those on the front line especially doctors and nurses in hospitals.
Diane Johnstone, Frankston South
Covid confusion
Yes Bruce White (Not a Dan fan, Letters 9/6/26), Covid escaped in Victoria first, before vaccinations were available, which gave the other states the opportunity to tighten their regulations.
If Victoria was in such a terrible state Covid-wise, why did the Morrison government give NSW far greater numbers of Pfizer doses per capita than Victoria in mid-2021? Wouldn’t it make more sense to give it to the most vulnerable state? The numbers that Bruce quotes shows that Victoria was far more in need but the Morrison government chose to give the vast numbers to NSW instead. Why?
Covid hasn’t finished, it’s still the largest killer of Australians from respiratory disease according to the ABS so that should be factored in, not just choosing a small timeframe.
Also, the only accurate place to get any figures from is the ABS.
The debt for the big build rose a lot during border closures mainly because of the inability to get equipment and supplies.
Victoria usually comes in somewhere in the middle according to ComSec’s state by state economic figures, always above NSW who also have a large debt. Victoria’s economy is better than NSW. ComSec is an independent body.
Yes, Victoria has a large debt but at least we have something to show for it. Victoria had little progress before the current government.
The reason that Dan Andrews is getting a statue is because he meets the criteria, the same criteria used for previous premiers.
Victorians voted him in three times, each time with a larger majority which indicates that they were happy with his government’s performance.
Nerida Miller, Mount Martha
Kudos to the shire
I was surprised to read that the energy efficiency program and electrification of Pelican Park, costing the shire $1.5 million, would pay for itself in just six years (Pelican Park secures electrification grant, The News 9/6/26).
However, a closer look revealed that this is fairly typical for swimming pools and other industrial heat applications when ageing gas-fired boilers are replaced with electric heat pumps. Payback periods can be even shorter when avoided carbon offset costs are included or gas prices rise.
Kudos to the shire for persisting with the Australian government’s Community Energy Upgrade Fund application after being knocked back in April. Saving ratepayers money, helping reduce Victoria’s domestic gas consumption, and cutting community emissions is a clear win-win-win.
John Godfrey, Cape Paterson
Mayoral deadlock
The current 5–5 deadlock over the Mornington Peninsula Shire mayoralty highlights a deeper structural problem in Victoria’s local government system. (No new mayor as vote deadlocked, The News 9/6/26).
With councillors electing the mayor for just a one‑year term, leadership becomes a political chess match rather than a stable mandate from the community.
This year’s stalemate has been exacerbated by the recent resignation of a councillor to contest the Nepean seat, leaving residents effectively caught in the crossfire.
Having served as a councillor in Queensland, I’ve seen the benefits of directly electing both councillors and the mayor for a full term. It provides clarity, continuity, and genuine accountability to voters. Victoria’s model, by contrast, invites annual instability and internal bargaining that serves no one well.
It’s time to consider a more democratic and transparent approach: let the community choose its mayor and let that mandate stand for the full term of the council.
Anne Kruger, Rye
Old habits die hard
Brian Mitchelson is right to be concerned about fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from diesel vehicles, especially those more than ten years old (Wood-fire ban, Letters 9/6/26).
However, air-quality researchers regard the introduction of diesel particulate filters (DPFs) on modern vehicles as one of the most effective advances in reducing urban particulate pollution from transport in recent times.
The current debate around diesel is now more about NOₓ emissions and greenhouse gases (CO₂) than soot. And while Mr Mitchelson’s LPG vehicle avoids the soot problem of diesel, it still produces tailpipe emissions, including CO₂ and other combustion gases.
Mr Michelson’s beloved wood heaters, however, are a different case entirely. Even compliant modern units emit particulate matter directly into the air during operation, with no equivalent of a DPF to capture it.
As a result, wood smoke remains a major source of winter PM2.5 pollution in Australia. Even certified low-emission heaters can produce far higher emissions in real-world use when burning damp wood, poorly maintained, or operated at low flue temperatures or restricted air settings.
A 2024 Australian study estimated that wood-heater PM2.5 contributes to over 700 premature deaths annually nationwide. The impacts are therefore not just individual but community wide.
There is no avoiding it: electrification of heating and transport is both cleaner, more efficient and cheaper – but for some, old habits die hard.
Ray Peck, Hawthorn
Electrifying
In reference to Brian Mitchelson (Wood-fire fan, Letters 9/6/26), I agree with his concerns regarding petrol and diesel particulate emissions. However, his opinion that we will never have sufficient electricity to recharge a national fleet of electric cars (EVs) is mistaken.
Like us, most people with EVs recharge from homes with solar panels and still provide excess electricity into the grid for others.
Despite his misgivings, working and holiday travel plus towing are readily achievable with EVs. Internal combustion engines are quickly being phased out across the globe. Australia is just a bit slower doing it than most other countries.
Tom Maher, Aspendale
Great article
I would like to acknowledge the article regarding Voluntary Assisted Dying written by Marg D’Arcy (My brother died peacefully, and in the manner he chose, The News 2/6/26).
At 92, I am in good health, but, that will not last forever. Not much is discussed about the procedure discussed. I found it very interesting and am certain other readers would have too.
John Hodgson, Bittern
Political propaganda
Zoe McKenzie’s latest propaganda, the Winter edition of her Peninsula Post, has just landed here. Seven sides of unadulterated “They are Bad and We are Good”, and one interesting side about an artist in residence.
We are encouraged to see ourselves as victims of a hopeless and unjust system, with the knights in shining blue armour at the ready to save us all in November.
However, with a little hindsight we might observe these same knights have seldom done much for the people, tending to favour the wealthy and powerful, once in office.
Times are tough for all, including governments. Any sensible government in power would be cutting back some benefits in order to preserve others. Any opposition which hints it won’t, is purposely misleading. And any public which turns a blind and hopeful eye to this fact, deserves the government it votes for.
I look forward to the day when there is collaboration rather than sniping, empowerment rather than victimisation, and honesty rather than opportunism in politics. Times are changing.
Paula Polson, Dromana
More logic and civility
The state of current political debate is unacceptable. We need to use more logic and a lot more civility would not go astray.
Is the Victorian state government really as bad as the Herald Sun and conservative forces would have us believe?
Recently, I have been travelling by train from Frankston to the CBD. It has been quick (due to the removal of level crossings), cheap (now half-price and sometimes free, a maximum of $5.70), trains come frequently and they are clean and comfortable with lots of communications.
I have also been impressed by the new facilities at my local schools.
And I just love the great improvements at my favourite public recreation facility – Hillview Reserve on Boundary Road.
I remember the Kennett years when the Liberals sold off virtually all the public assets. These were followed by successive Liberal governments that invested virtually nothing in public infrastructure.
The Herald Sun’s campaign against the Premier is quite shameless. There are no journalistic ethics involved whatsoever. Why do we have to put up with public school boy behaviour towards women politicians. Debate policies and forget the misogynistic pile-ons!
We need to do better but not go backwards.
Joan Doyle, Dromana
A lie is a lie
History shows that budgets often fail when they rely on unrealistic assumptions, become overly complicated, or fail to account for unexpected challenges. More complexity usually means more bureaucracy, more compliance costs, and greater pressure on taxpayers.
If dishonesty goes unchallenged, it becomes accepted. The same principle applies to our children, our leaders, and politicians of every political persuasion.
Silence breeds apathy, and apathy allows poor decisions to continue unchecked. In a democracy, citizens have a responsibility to speak out when they believe governments have broken promises or adopted harmful policies.
The question is simple: Do Australians want more of the same, or do we expect better from those elected to govern irrespective of which political party wins government?
If they don’t earn our trust they shouldn’t be allowed to govern.
Paul Georgeson, Dromana
BarleyCharlie@90
June 12, 2026. Do we all have a soul? I’m asking for knowledge, NOT an opinion.
Being past the crest of the “late in life” stage, preparation seems the road to take, as against the Newell never-ending Highway.
Time is of the essence, the next election potentially May of 2028; way past my lifelong bedtime.
Of course they are all crooks. Who isn’t? The degree within being the key.
Come the election (rough estimates) 30% Liberals, 30% Labor, and the variations within of the 40%, most of all regarding themselves as “thinking” voters, funny haha.
Currently an unknown percentage of Liberal voters and some “thinkers” to One Nation; thus Princess Pauline a headline.
An additional burden into reading (comprehend?) the nonsense of the killing, bombing (all sides?) overseas, skip the nightly news until the sport section, and with it the current woes of my once mighty Magpies?
Albo’s changes to the budget are “in for a penny” but way, way short of a pound. Not forgetting hard right Tony Abbott supporting a pathetic Angus, causing a big smile (in bed), as the princess wakes up, every morning; likely Barnaby Joyce on hand for her morning cappuccino? And so it goes…
Cliff Ellen, Rye
