RETIRING federal MP for Flinders Greg Hunt and other prominent Liberals have helped launch the campaign of Zoe McKenzie, who they hope will take Mr Hunt’s place after the Saturday 21 May federal election.
At the Sunday 3 April event were former long time Nepean MP Martin Dixon, former premier Ted Baillieu and state candidates Sam Groth (Nepean), Chris Crewther (Mornington) and Briony Hutton (Hastings).
Nepean is held by Labor’s Chris Brayne (who will be seeking re-election) and Mr Crewther hopes to replace sitting Liberal MP David Morris in Mornington and Ms Hutton wants to replace retiring Liberal MP Neale Burgess.
Mornington Peninsula Shire councillor Paul Mercurio is Labor’s candidate for Hastings, while the ALP has yet to announce a candidate for Mornington.
At the launch at her Rosebud campaign office, Ms McKenzie said she had listened to residents and businesses to find out what they wanted for Flinders in the future.
“That plan includes getting the Jetty Road [Rosebud] overpass done, upgrading our dangerous intersections, and improving our local infrastructure,” she said.
“I am working with our Nepean Liberal candidate, Sam Groth on the Rosebud Hospital rebuild, as well as on improving our sporting facilities for football, netball, basketball, and soccer.”
Ms McKenzie said she was also working to protect the beaches, the coastline and the peninsula’s green wedge status – a state political hot potato – while also saying she also wants to have the peninsula designated as regional to secure payroll tax discounts and essential infrastructure spending.
Mr Hunt said much of what makes the peninsula “special” was its environment, which he described a “world-class”.
“I know Zoe is passionate about protecting it for generations to come, particularly Arthur’s Seat, Western Port and Mount Martha beach.”
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 12 April 2022
