INDEPENDENT candidate for Nepean, Kim Robbins, has stated in a chat group that she was ok with a supporter’s suggestion to “do whatever you can get away with” in order to win the Nepean seat in the upcoming state election.
The seat of Nepean is held by the Liberal Party after ex-Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Anthony Marsh won a by-election in May triggered by the resignation of Sam Groth.
Robbins is understood to be a member of Independents for Mornington Peninsula, but that group decided not to endorse a candidate in the Nepean electorate for the upcoming state election, instead deciding to concentrate their efforts on the seat of Mornington.
That decision prompted Robbins to launch her own independent campaign, separate from the group (“Nepean independent candidate announces run”, The News, 1/9/26).
The statement by Robbins was made during a broad discussion in a private chat, obtained by The News, in response to the prohibited placement of a sign by supporters of Marsh.
The sign was placed on a power pole in Dromana Industrial Estate. Rules prohibit the placement of signage on utility poles, with shire regulations stating, “All alleged non-compliances of electoral signage on Council land will be investigated by Council’s Community Safety team”.
The discussion started with suggestions to report the illegal sign to the shire or the utility company, with Robbins adding “Well, sounds like we can put some up too!”.
In response, a volunteer from the signage team replied, “Not this sign team! No permission – no do!”.
Another volunteer then added, “Needs to be done in the dark and with ladders”.
The signage volunteer stated, “I will not expose myself to prosecution by doing the wrong thing. Marsh’s people will be connected in a such a way as to be protected”.
Another volunteer wrote, “Speaking as someone who was caught in the act of erecting illegal, very large signs, I can assure you the worst thing that will happen is the by-laws officer will simply tell you to take them down again”.
“And that’s if you’re caught red handed. If they don’t catch you, they get to stay up until a complaint is actioned.
“This why our opposition are out there putting up clearly illegal signs. They know they’ll be seen and there will no negative consequences.”
Another volunteer then stated, “… for anybody who actually wants to win this bloody thing I can only suggest that you do whatever you can get away with. Our opponents do not care about the rules!”.
In response to that comment, Robbins wrote, “I am ok with doing this because a. no one is getting hurt and b. I need to get my name and face out there and c. We need to win this bloody thing”.
Referencing the signage volunteer, Robbins said, “I know you’ll be disappointed in me but I am at such a disadvantage to the major parties that I’ve got to do what I’ve not (sic) to do…”.
In response, the signage volunteer wrote, “Your plot, Kim. Just don’t ask me”.
Another volunteer then replied to Robbins message with, “Happy to help out. Presume this requires balaclava, firearms and getway driver? Or is it less exciting than that?”.
In response to that, the signage volunteer wrote the person’s name followed by the word, “Silencer!”.
Another volunteer then wrote, eight minutes after the firearms comment was made, “You can leave the firearms (well, any weapons really) at home but I figure anything else is ok… it certainly is with the Libs! They play the dirtiest game there is”.
A volunteer on the chat then wrote, “Sorry, we seem to be talking about right and wrong and following rules”.
“This is why the Libs simply laugh at us. There are no consequences to those who ignore the rules, they just win and get to sit in parliament.
“Nice guys finish last! You can be a nice guy (or gal) but don’t expect to get anywhere in peninsula politics. If this campaign really matters, then it’s worth putting in every effort we can.”
A volunteer then wrote, “How about we put a Kim sign under the Marsh sign. They both stay or both go”, to which someone replies, “Best idea I’ve heard all day”.
The signage volunteer then wrote, “My last input – you put signage wherever you want to put it but I won’t”.
Robbins then replied with, “I respect that…, and you!” and when another voluteer wrote, “Will need a black texta as well, if you know what I mean”, Robbins replied, “My only rule is we don’t deface the other team’s signs…”.
Other posts in the discussion referred to Marsh as “Marshmallow”, stated “Time to front Marsh office staff”, “Time for some nose-rubbing action”, and a suggestion they “Slam the bag on Marsh”.
A comment in the chat, believed to be from a committee member of Independents for Mornington Peninsula, stated, “One principle we’ve always adhered to is that we do not bag the opposition, we focus on our values and policies”.
The News contacted Robbins about the contents of the chat and received the following response, “Following the recent attack on Helen Haines, I am particularly conscious of the safety and privacy of those participating in political life. My concern extends to my volunteers whose names, contact details and personal circumstances appear in the material you have sent me”.
“I object to the proposed publication of these private group communications. They were exchanged within a private campaign volunteers’ group, and came to you by deceipt”.
“I’m happy to go on the record about Anthony Marsh’s illegally placed signage and my own conduct. In short, no Kim Robbins for Nepean signs have been placed in illegal locations by me or my volunteers.”
