FIVE of the candidates running for the Hastings electorate at the upcoming state election have gathered for a Mornington Peninsula Shire organised election forum.
On 29 October, the five candidates were asked a range of questions regarding issues affecting the Hastings electorate.
The candidates in attendance were Peter Angelico (One Nation), Chloe Coulson (Animal Justice Party), Paul Mercurio (Labor), Frank Schiefler (Liberal), and Isaac Willoughby (Greens).
Candidates had two minutes to introduce themselves before a moderated discussion.
Chloe Coulson said Hastings’ communities, wildlife, and environment deserves protection.
“Evidence based actions, community consultation, and compassion will be at the heart of every decision I make.”
Isaac Willoughby said he is running because Hastings deserves an MP who will fight for real cost-of-living measures.
“I will be an MP who will put the community first, and who will not be bound to donors and vested interests.”
Peter Angelico said his experience in manufacturing has taught him skills such as problem solving, risk identification and management, and customer satisfaction.
He said the two-party system has failed us for twenty years and it’s time for new thinking and innovation.
Frank Schiefler said he believes Liberals are the only party with a “genuine, costed plan” to fix the problems Western Port faces.
“If I’m lucky enough to become the member for Hastings, I will always be focused on practical things that affect my community right here in Hastings.”
Incumbent Paul Mercurio said his job is to be the community’s servant.
“I’m here to listen to what you need, to what you want, to what your issues are, what your problems are, and what solutions you may come back to me with, and I take that to parliament.”
The first discussion was based around jobs, industry, defence, rezoning, and the future of Western Port.
Angelico said, “We need to encourage manufacturers… we’re the ones who are going to build this economy.”
Mercurio said it is difficult to get rid of land today, when you don’t understand what you might need it for in the future.
“If we start to restrict land, we might in fact have the unintended consequences of restricting being able to build things and create jobs.”
Schiefler said the Labor government has had 12 years to try and find land to build homes.
“There’s 3500 hectares of land associated with the Port of Hastings… it’s very clear that land needs to be used for things like homes; young people like myself are struggling to buy homes.”
Willoughby said the proposed divestment of Cerberus speaks to a larger issue of governments addicted to selling off public assets.
“I strongly believe, and the Greens support this, that public land should stay in public hands.”
Coulson said it is worth remembering people come to this area to experience nature and see the unique wildlife.
“I would question why would we risk destroying that with inappropriate investments when we could be enhancing what we have and potentially supporting more jobs within the environment or eco-tourism.”
The panel then moved to the topic of housing affordability and homelessness.
The candidates were asked what actions they would take within the first 100 days of being elected to help reduce homelessness within the Hastings electorate.
Schiefler said he looks forward to working with the Liberal candidates for Mornington and Nepean on a whole-of-peninsula strategy to address homelessness.
Mercurio said he has already started the work to address homelessness and mentioned seven apartments currently being built for women who need housing.
He also noted a new commitment of $2.1m over four years for an outreach program where people reach out to the homeless and help bring them to homes.
Willoughby said the Greens want to see a doubling of public housing stock in Victoria and the plan would be to build more public housing in Hastings.
Coulson said she supports rapidly increasing the supply of social and community housing.
“Affordable housing needs to be made actually affordable.”
Angelico said the root cause needs to be addressed and manufacturing provides people a chance to build skills and a career.
“The best form of welfare is a job.”
The next topic the panel discussed was roads, transport, and connectivity.
The panel was asked if they would commit to delivering an upgrade to the Stony Point train line and Coolart Rd.
Willoughby said the Greens are committed to permanent free public transport, including in Hastings, and bringing road repairs in house.
“When we cut out corporate profits, we can spend money on actual repairs.”
Mercurio said he would love to see the Stony Point line upgraded and will advocate for a rebuild of Coolart Rd.
“I am talking to transport ministers and advocating to get passing loops.”
Schiefler said the state of the roads should be the first priority.
“We’re going to invest $5b into making sure our roads are finally worthy for the cars that we have to keep registered.”
Angelico said he agreed passing loops should be added to the train line and buses and trains should be coordinated.
Coulson said she supports more frequent public transport and believes the electorate needs a more connected bus network.
“A rebuild of Coolart Rd is essential.”
The last topic covered was community infrastructure, liveability, and community safety.
The panel was asked about increasing services at Hastings Police Station.
Mercurio said he has been advocating for more police to be staffed at Hastings and speaking to ministers, but it is the Chief Commissioner who makes the final decision.
Schiefler said Hastings Police Station will be open to the public 24 hours a day under a Liberal government.
Coulson said she believes therapeutic community-based alternatives and approaches that work towards reducing disadvantage will be more effective in the long-term.
Willoughby said the Greens will invest $1b into community safety and evidence-based solutions.
Angelico said the average police officer stays in the job for 18 months and the question of why needs to be addressed.
Candidates were asked if they supported the treaty between the government and the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria.
Coulson said yes and “we should be listening to First Nations people more”.
Willoughby said the Greens support Treaty and were lucky enough to be the deciding votes in parliament.
Angelico said no and One Nation’s policy is to “kill it off”.
Schiefler said, “very simply, no.”
Mercurio said he supports Treaty and thinks people are confused about exactly what it means.
“It’s up to everyone to do their homework and diligence to understand and comprehend what it really is about.”
The panel was then asked how they would address state debt.
Angelico said One Nation has “not put out one dollar of promises without taking it from somewhere else”.
Willoughby said the Greens have a plan fully costed by economists, including a 25 per cent tax on online gambling and a 0.1 per cent quarterly levy on Victoria’s share of the bank liabilities.
Coulson said it’s a case of redirecting existing funds and she would advocate for redirecting funds into the community and taxing bigger companies.
Mercurio said the debt is scary, but the state isn’t bankrupt and there is a plan to continue having an annual surplus.
“We use that debt to build things for the future that we really need.”
Schiefler said the debt hasn’t gone to building things, it’s “gone to waste”.
“[Liberals] have a ten year economic plan where we will get this state moving again.”
At the end of the of event, all candidates were given one minute to make a closing statement.
Mercurio asked everyone to “deeply consider what has been said but also deeply consider what the parties are saying generally”.
Schiefler said people should vote Liberal if they want to see a plan implemented that will change the state of Victoria.
Angelico said governments don’t understand productivity and “don’t look at the headlines, read the policies and then make your decision”.
Willoughby said the Greens have achieved a lot with only seven members in parliament.
“If you feel like the major parties don’t represent you… join our movement.”
Coulson said this election is an opportunity to “build a kinder and more equal society” and that means voting differently.
First published in the Western Port News – 4 November 2026
