A Killer Diller
Some months ago I predicted that potholes would be the downfall of the current state government.
I am now almost certain that Jess Wilson can mainly credit “holes in the road” for her likely electoral win.
It will not be because the Liberals have come up with any sign they are a strong team with clear policies, but because of a plethora of potholes.
One Nation is all over the place running on Trump-ian ideas and offers Victoria little.
Pauline Hanson tragically wants close SBS and (music to Rupert Murdoch’s ears) privatise the ABC i.e. kill the independent messengers.
So back to potholes.
When coming from Rosebud today on the Boneo Road to Flinders, I hit a zinger and flattened a tyre!
Ever yours in hope,
Ranald Macdonald, Capel Sound
Peninsula cleanliness
I had the pleasure of being amongst some suburbs in the Stonnington City Council region recently. And all I can say is WOW. The cleanliness and presentation of the streets was incredible. The gardens manicured, no rubbish in the gutters, the paths clean, zero graffiti, and just an overall really nice welcome feeling being amongst it. Which brings me to my point.
What has happened to the Mornington Peninsula under the control of the Mornington Peninsula Shire?
As residents we expect better! Broken street signs, dead trees on mainstreets, potholes by the dozen load and a real air of not caring what the environment looks like. Overgrown weeds and trees are everywhere down here too.
I think we need an investigation into council accountability and why funds are not being allocated to making the streets presentable like they used to be.
Adam Richmond, Dromana
Plug in EVs
Given that about one in four new car sales are now electric, it’s good to read that more electric vehicle chargers are going in across the Peninsula (“Electric vehicle charger trial across peninsula”, 27th Oct).
Pole-mounted chargers make use of existing infrastructure, take up almost no space, and help the many EV drivers who can’t charge at home. Cheap-to-run cars deserve cheap, reliable places to plug in. Credit to United Energy for getting on with the job.
Larni Dibben, Glen Iris
Library changes
I read the recently published article in the Mornington Peninsula News about the proposed changes to the library service with great concern (“Shire finalises library service changes after review”, The News, 27/10/26). Alarm bells were ringing as a sense of déjà vu set in.
It is difficult not to recall the Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Youth Hub changes two years ago. At the time, the council announced that young people would receive more services and better programs than before. Yet none of those promised offerings ever materialised. There are no after‑school drop‑ins, no school holiday hangouts, no excursions. Staff were let go, programs were scaled back, and nothing was put in place to replace what was lost.
The community spoke up then. Feedback was submitted. Concerns were raised. But the community was not heard.
This is why the current situation with the library is so troubling. Significant changes have been announced without any community survey, consultation, or opportunity for residents to contribute their views. Once again, staff and community members are left uncertain about the future of a service that many rely on.
We strongly urge the council to seek genuine community input before proceeding. Ask residents what they think of the proposed changes. Listen to their feedback. Share the results openly. And most importantly, take that feedback seriously.
We beg you: do not cut or reduce the community services that are essential to so many of us. We pay our rates to ensure these services remain available and accessible. We are part of this community, and our voices deserve to be heard and respected.
Anke Trott, Mornington
Library review
The mind boggles, after reading the statement by Cheryl Casey, that changes to the library service were made after consultation with 621 community members. Even more so that there were no library qualified people involved in the working group.
Approximately 173,000 people live on the peninsula – so a decision affecting our library service has been made on the basis of .049 percent of the population. How were these people chosen? Did they live on the peninsula? How often did they use the libraries?
Then hearing that employees will no longer require librarian qualifications when applying or working at the library. Librarians choose to work in that field because of a strong interest in literacy. They help patrons with queries in various fields, such as research or even what books a child (or adult) would enjoy reading. What happens when you ask a ‘librarian’ a query and she/he is not able to answer or even steer you in the right direction for assistance?
Librarians need a degree or a formal tertiary qualification accredited by the Australian Library and Information Association to work as a professional librarian in Australia – does that mean that on the peninsula, with the anticipated changes, the majority of our library staff will not have the necessary experience or knowledge expected by community members? (Not employing qualified librarians certainly means that the peninsula using unqualified staff will reduce their wage bill).
Changes may need to be made – but qualified library staff are an essential and important part of any library service.
Sandra Barry, Rye
Keep health rebate
Marg D’Arcy (“Health rebate”, Letters, 20/10/26) states that she does not understand why she should receive a higher rebate for private health insurance than younger people.
Health department modelling released under Freedom of Information laws estimated that between 44,000 and 80,000 older Australians would drop their private health cover entirely by 2028–29 due to the cost increase.
State and territory governments, alongside the federal Opposition, have warned that thousands of seniors exiting private care would trigger a massive influx into an already strained public hospital system, increasing elective surgery wait times.
Surely this is enough reason for the Albanese Government to scrap the plan to drop the rebate for older citizens!
Bill Holmes, Sorrento
Power problems
There has been a bit of a furore lately about the cost of “Snowy 2.0” pumped hydro electricity, blowing out from $2b to $25b. It was never and could never possibly be built for $2b. The Liberal prime minister at the time simply didn’t tell us.
I have seen estimates, a couple of years ago, that it might blow out to $40b.
Don’t believe all the hogwash the politicians are still telling us. Snowy 2.0 does not generate any new electricity at all, rather, it consumes more than it generates.
It pumps water back uphill to be stored, but only when the grid has a surplus of very cheap power available, perhaps after noon on a sunny, windy, day.
Later, it can then use that reservoir of stored water to generate, as required, about 2 gigawatt of power, particularly on overcast wintry days when there is no solar and no wind and the renewables don’t work.
It is simply back- up. The snowy 2 pumps will require about 1.6 times the power they produce to pump the water back uphill. That is it will consume 3.2Gw in order to produce 2Gw. It can only be feasible if there are periods of time when the grid has surplus unused renewables power.
An accountants trick, if you like, costing billions.
So much for renewables being cheaper than coal or nuclear. 2Gw of power is equal to the four coal fired generators at Loy Yang “A” or 1000 wind turbines of 3Mw (including capacity factor).
It would be a smart move to abandon the Snowy 2 fiasco right now. Perhaps then install nuclear generators in that same spot, inside a mountain and 800 metres below the ground.
Brian A Mitchelson, Mornington
Promises, promises
Regarding the letter last week from Helen Keleher (“Promises”, Letters, 27/10/26), if you believe every promise made before an election will be carried out then you are going to be very disappointed.
I can think of many “ promises” made before the last election which were either cancelled or changed to more pressing things that needed to be done.
Its only a fool who believes a promise from a political party.
Anyway Helen, you are presuming that Labor will get back in. That will be up to the voters to decide if they are happy with what has been happening. Time will tell!
Barry Kirkpatrick, Mt Martha
Independent, not ineffective
With the state election looming, there are two common misconceptions about Independent MPs that need challenging: that a vote for an Independent is a vote for Labor and that Independents can’t achieve anything when they are elected.
The entire point of being an Independent is that there is no tie to a party. The Independent MP can vote with whichever party they wish. It depends on the merits of the proposed legislation, and especially what is in the interests of their electorate, rather than voting on a party line.
Look at Helen Haines in the current parliament, where she has voted with the ALP 37% of the time, with the Opposition 30% and with neither 30%. She is hardly aligned with any one party. As she says, her alignment is only with her electorate.
And there are plenty of examples of Independents achieving great outcomes for the electorates while in office. David Pocock negotiated with the government to achieve additional funding for social and affordable housing, support for frontline homelessness services and reforms to the indexation of HECS debts.
Helen Haines has been instrumental in bringing about the establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, and her electorate benefited from $235m for North East rail track upgrades under independent representation.
Independents can influence policy, secure funding and hold governments accountable. They can introduce legislation and vote according to their judgement and in their community’s interests. Voters should judge candidates on their integrity, policies and achievements – not simply their party affiliation or promises that sound increasingly hollow.
Pam Pitt, Vice-president Independents for Mornington Peninsula
A voice for Mornington
It is well past time that the people of Mornington were represented by someone who is truly part of this community and who is committed to making it stronger and more resilient; someone who is driven not by party ideology, but by a genuine interest in, and compassion for, people and community.
Melissa Goffin is such a person. Melissa has a passion for everything that this community values – thriving families, successful local businesses, and fair access to the services and opportunities that everyone in the community deserves. Education is high on her list, as the critical enabler of success for our younger generation, and Melissa will fight for better school facilities and investment in local schools to give every child their best possible start.
It is time that we receive our fair share of government investment, something that Mornington has been deprived of for too long.
Melissa is a true independent, backed by and connected to the community, and she will serve us, not the power brokers of Spring Street. She will engage with us, seek our views and priorities on issues as they arise, and take our voice to the Victorian Parliament.
It’s time for a change, a genuine change.
Sue Barrell, Mt Martha
Homelessness
This week Dorothy from Rosebud featured on the ABC 774 morning show talking about how she’d befriended and assisted a young man who was homeless and living in a tent with his dog on the Rosebud foreshore.
This moving and simple story demonstrates the complete failure of party politics to assist even the most needy.
Labor while in government simply didn’t seem to care enough and Liberals while in opposition seem inept in exercising any influence for services in Nepean.
I believe the change will only come from progressive independents such as Kim Robbins standing for Nepean, who have no allegiance to a party and will focus solely on the needs of Nepean residents whether homeless or not.
While not taking anything away from Dorothy’s terrific example, people in need will likely benefit more from an independent local member, with no competing priorities, who is free to both care, advocate and deliver.
Alan Hall, Rye
Gunfight at ‘The Nest’
First disagreement as consultant and devils advocate to Kim Robbins, independent for Nepean. Quite enlightening.
I presented my position, Kim presented hers and all the reasons for her opinion. A short rational intellectual discussion ensued and I agreed that her position was the best result.
In the end we agreed to disagree, however, I walked away feeling okay about it because she stood her ground and told me what she was doing, why she was doing it and why it was important. Even though we “crossed swords” I respect her and her position because respect is earned through honesty, consistency and accountability not ideology.
Kim is the kind of person we need to represent us, someone who is willing to listen to and discuss issues and not attempt to defend some Political Doctrine or try to avoid the issue. We don’t always have to agree with our representatives but we do need a representative to listen to us and explain to us what they’re doing and why. That’s called transparency and accountability. We do not need representatives who silence your opinions and insights with AVO’s. which, in the end, are withdrawn before they have to defend the accusations they have sworn to before the magistrate.
Think about it, who do you want to represent you? Someone who listens to you discuss issues with you gives you the straight poop or somebody that talks the party line and is going to vote for what they’re told to vote for? No matter what anyone says they are not going to vote for their Political agenda.
Alrighty then I guess that’s about it. there are many platitudes that could be presented but hopefully you get the point?
Joe Lenzo, Safety Beach
Can’t afford Labor
Victorians can’t afford the “debt and deficit” culture of Mr Carroll and Mr Albanese’s Labor Party. As per 30 June 2026, The Victorian Budget, resulted in the “worst ever” record net deficit, forecast to reach $175.6b in 2026-27, according to the Victorian State Budget 2026-27.
Labor’s worsening incompetence with money was evident when PM Anthony Albanese, first came to power. Since then we’ve had 16 consecutive cash rate hikes (from 0.1% to 4.35%) and the latest quarterly inflation figure of 3.6% (at one time peaking at 7.8%).
The cost of living has seen household expenses rise 7% with rent up 24%, electricity prices rise 40%, gas up 35%, health up 20% and education costs are up 23% and home loan mortgage rates climbing to around 6.9% ANZ variable in 2026.
Food is up officially 11.5%, but every shopper knows of price increases nearer 20% to 30% on many items. Those price hikes are not caused by today’s inflation rate of 4% or temporary natural disasters. The truth is it’s blatant unregulated profiteering by supermarkets that pocket billions every year. Example: Coles recently reported a statutory net profit after tax (NPAT) of $1.09b in the financial year 2025-2026.
Labor’s excessive immigration levels at a time of grossly inadequate housing, increasing levels of crime against persons and property and their heinous complicity in a suspected $15b CMFEU “Big Build” corruption investigation render Labor unfit for office.
When you vote on or before 28 November 2026, please mark Labor last on your ballot.
Thomas Quinn, Moe
Labor homelessness
Can you explain the apparent contradiction of the state Labor government increasing resourcing towards homeless people from under $400m in 2014 up to over $1b annually in the past few years, while the number of homeless people has continued to rise, and their situation has worsened savagely?
Ken Taylor, West Brunswick
Housing attention
In less than 30 days Victorians will be voting in an important election. Southern Women’s Action Network (SWAN) is a non partisan organisation that is striving for social justice in our local community. One of our main activities in recent years has been focussed on addressing the dire housing and homelessness crisis on the Mornington Peninsula.
We know there are many issues at the forefront of people’s minds when deciding to vote. SWAN is not asking you to vote in any particular way. Rather we cordially ask you when having contact with candidates and when considering your vote that you think about who will best work hard and help our fellow community members to have food and shelter each night rather than sleeping in our parks and on foreshores.
SWAN has been campaigning along with other local community and business organisations for our fair share of government funding for the following:
- Increased and ongoing funding for ALL our hard working and stretched community support centres.
- Fully fund and deliver the recent important state government commitments for outreach workers on the peninsula and the establishment of a new 20 unit crisis accomodation in Mornington.
- More urgent funding for crisis accomodation especially for women fleeing family violence.
- More social housing to be built including the redevelopment of 335 Main Street Mornington.
These measures would substantially relieve the pressure on local homelessness.
The SWAN Women for Housing Justice group have worked tirelessly and effectively in raising the housing and homelessness issue on the Mornington Peninsula with all levels of government and politicians of all persuasions.
Having the highest number of rough sleepers in Victoria is not something we will ever accept.
Our community needs the above list to be urgently delivered by whoever wins government.
Judith Couacaud-Graley, Chair, Women for Housing Justice group – SWAN
After the election
Picture this. Two weeks after the state election and the polls proved correct. Labor out and a new coalition government is in place.
Returned member for Mornington, Chris Crewther meets with the new treasurer and asks “when can I expect the $12m I promised in the election campaign? Treasurer replies “send me a business case and I will forward the money.”
On the other hand, newly elected Labor member for Mornington Kerry Macdonald ask the same question and the reply is somewhat different. Treasurer says “After all our commitments have been met there may be about 70% of what you promised available as long as your side plays the game in the upper house.”
Then we come to newly elected Independent Melissa Goffin, who asks about the millions in her elections promises. Treasurer replies “After our commitments and about 70% of Labors, we will probably be able to give you a couple of new bus shelters on Craigie Rd and perhaps some xmas decorations for Main St”.
M. G. Free, Mt Martha
Silicone valley showdown
Give a child a tablet, and they will stop moving. Introduce a Tween to online games, and they will stop reading. Give a Teenager a smart phone, and they will stop talking.
Introduce the world to Ai, and humanity will stop learning.
Let’s do whatever we can individually, and united, to teach these US billionaire oligarchs their own lesson.
Sharon Lee, Mount Martha
Barley Charley @ 90+
Movember 2026. Third time lucky or goodbye (positivity?) forever? Equalibrium?
My question is, are too many politicians and non politicians getting above themselves with their interpretation of power?
The state election, voting for? Can’t be Albo, or whoever (Kerry Macdonald?) on our Mornington Peninsula, swamped by Sorrento Liberal numbers and Labor treading water, at best, unable to come to the “social media” party?
Therefore a rarity, will vote Sianan Healy (for Nepean) Greens, capping rent, affordable housing, sounds fair, or dreaming, likely the latter?
Fascinating, not to vote for a winner, EVER, voting age 21 back when; left Northcote at 18, then a Labor stronghold, now Greens.
Community peace and solidarity re Helen Haynes, in reality a REAL star; we dream, we hope.
Trump Donald makes more in one day which is more than I earn (don’t laugh) in a lifetime? Trust politicians, Trump, Russia, North Korea, Arabs wearing dresses, and the little fellow, Ukraine, wearing the same funeral outfit the past three years; nah.
I trust Meals On Wheels, Woolworths girls and RSL girls, not forgetting the security of the front door locks (double) from 7PM onwards, hearing their spooky howls, often past midnight.
And Australian political leaders “less angry more civil” sprouting “democracy” at best a secondary type of democracy; another aberration?
My habit, attend the RSL daily, ONE beer, smoking area, the radio; Smooth FM 91.5, Torture, Brainwashed; on a good day cannot hear it? And a street party, Northcote, the cost, same types who banned a Macca’s at Rye years ago?
Greenies, unsure, an on the day a ballot box decision? Cannot get to Rosebud on scooter; missing Kentucky Fried, self pity to the backline, for inspiration – Bobby Rose sat in a pin, Bobby Rose; better times? Au revoir?
Cliff Ellen, Rye
