COMMUNITY independent candidate for Flinders Ben Smith has set himself a challenge to meet as many members of the peninsula community as he can in the next month. His 30 day Listening Lap marathon kicked off last Friday in front of dozens of supporters and interested locals at the Flinders Golf Club.
“This what being a community independent is all about; listening to members of our community and hearing their priorities,” said Smith. “Time and time again, I hear that locals feel ignored and neglected by the major parties, treated as just another safe seat. “Almost everyone raises the state of our infrastructure, whether it be our crumbling Rosebud Hospital, potholes everywhere, or congestion. “It’s a daily and dangerous reminder how little those in power care about our Peninsula community,” said Smith.
“It’s the same story with housing, the cost of living, and our local environment suffering from inappropriate development. “Listening to locals about the issues affecting them is what being a community independent is all about. “That’s why I’ve set myself a target of 30 events in 30 days. I call it my Big Listening Lap.”
Ben intends to visit every town in the electorate during the listening lap. This week the daily schedule will continue with events at the Council Community Hall in Mount Eliza on Wednesday and at the Pig and Whistle in Main Ridge on Thursday.
First published in the Mornington News – 11 February 2025
