The silent scourge
By Maureen Donelly*
I DIDN’T believe it. When Kim* told me her partner had long put her down, always criticised her – often trying to draw their children into it, had controlled their social life and their finances and constantly spied on her through her phone and emails, I was stunned. On the face of it, they were an ordinary couple, though in hindsight I had noticed Kim quite often made excuses not to join get togethers, and I remember some rather cringe-worthy public displays of affection by her partner.
Perhaps I should have recognised these signs of coercive control, control which can be emotional, psychological, social, financial and IT enabled. The effects are devastating, with consuming self-doubt and destruction of self-esteem, the irony being that when your self-esteem is so low you begin to believe the abusive partner must be right. The absence of bruises means this form of abuse can be easily dismissed.
I remember vividly the night that Kim rang, having run from the house without her phone and handbag, to a service station where a kindly attendant helped her call me, to tell me her partner had just tried to strangle her. Whilst so damaging in itself, coercive control can often also escalate into physical violence, injury and even become fatal as we see in the media at alarming rates. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 27% of women aged 18 years and over have experienced violence or emotional / economic abuse by a partner.
With the help of the local police, Orange Door and the Community Legal Centre, Kim and her children were eventually able to leave the violence behind and settle in a new place and we have since lost contact. Victim survivors often pay a high price, including in loss of social relationships and economic and housing insecurity, for leaving such relationships.
When talking recently with a friend about coercive control, I was again shocked to learn that her own son had been subjected to coercive control in his twenties, despite her bringing her children up to be aware of their right to respect and safety.
The concerning thing is that these patterns can begin very early in a relationship, so education for change needs to start early.
Clearly there is much work to be done to bring about change, especially with the power of social media to distort healthy views of masculinity. Knowing how to recognise the flags of coercive control and where to get help, whether this be from frontline responders, legal services or counselling, is critical.
The 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence in all its forms, which runs from 25th November to 10th December, will see key events held in our local community. These include a theatre performance in Frankston, a march in Hastings, a White Ribbon Day at Mt Martha and school-based workshops. All events are aimed at the prevention of gender-based violence and the promotion of respect and equality. (Details on Mornington Peninsula Shire Website: 16 Days of Activism – Mornington Peninsula Shire)
*Maureen Donelly, Bachelor Social Work, Bachelor Sp. Education, former Women’s Refuge Support Worker.
For help contact orangedoor.vic.gov.au or call 000 if you are in immediate danger.
*Kim’s story is true although her name and other details have been changed, and sadly, she is one of many.
16 Days of Activism Events 2025
Westernport March – 25th of November 2025
mornpen.vic.gov.au/Events-Activities/Westernport-Respectful-Relationships-16-Days-of-Activism-March
A Play for Change – Youth Theatre Project – 26th of November 2025
monash.edu/performing-arts-centres/event/a-play-for-change/
Walk against Family Violence – 28th of November 2025
respectvictoria.vic.gov.au/campaigns/walk-against-family-violence-2025
White Ribbon Day of Action – 29th of November 2025
Matt Brown School Workshops – 1st of December 2025
mornpen.vic.gov.au/Events-Activities/Matt-Brown-schools-workshop
Financial plan needs more strategic focus
THE Mornington Peninsula Shire’s recent financial turnaround, as discussed at the 30 October council meeting, appears promising on the surface, but overlooks several critical factors that undermine its long-term effectiveness and falls short of the community’s needs (Shire slashes ten year deficit by $293m, Letters 4/11/25).
First, the lack of community engagement is concerning. With only four community submissions directly considered, the plan fails to adequately reflect the broader needs and concerns of the residents. A plan of this magnitude must involve much more public input to ensure it truly serves the community.
Second, the ten-year financial plan overlooks a significant opportunity for cost-saving through addressing cost-shifting from state and federal governments — an issue that could amount to $272m over five years as stated in the council’s own report from 2024. Instead, the plan focuses on efficiency dividends, user fees, and asset sales. The plan appears to overlook key root causes of financial strain.
Additionally, the rationale for these savings lacks transparency; they are not clearly explained or sufficiently substantiated, which raises concerns about their achievability and signals a red flag.
Finally, the plan prioritises short-term savings over long-term sustainability. It prioritises maintenance over new infrastructure, which risks future budget shortfalls with a modest surplus forecasted only by year ten. Smaller towns and villages, with fewer assets, risk being left behind in infrastructure investment, exacerbating regional inequalities.
While the shire’s financial turnaround appears positive, it lacks strategic depth for long-term financial health. A more comprehensive and community-focused approach is essential. Without addressing key issues like cost-shifting and ensuring fair investment across the peninsula, the plan risks falling short of the community’s needs.
Anja Ottensmeyer, Mount Martha
Transparency needed
We elect our councillors to represent and inform us. We expect them to publicise major planning matters, by bringing them to our attention and ensuring they’re debated in Council.
But recent changes by the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council to protections for the environment, to the green wedge, village character and much more now mean our councillors are forbidden from warning us about potential harmful outcomes before the decisions are made.
Last week the council officer’s Planning Matters policy report was made public just hours before the council meeting, despite it recommending significant changes to Council’s Planning Policy.
These policy changes were adopted without consultation. They are an affront to our fundamental right to be properly informed about planning matters and should alert us to the worrying lack of transparency and accountability by a majority of our councillors.
How can residents have confidence in the council to uphold ideals of openness and keep faith with their community when they prefer to leave us uninformed, and vote against residents having a say in decisions that affect us?
Peninsula ratepayers deserve better.
Ray Aspinall, Bittern
Can confidentiality
Popular television tells us at the moment Australia is blessed with a pretty democratic electoral system. Hopefully this spills over into state and local Government!
But, does it ensure that Government at all levels is really democratic?
Is the Mornington Peninsula Shire guilty of “confidential” manipulation? Do constituents really know what is going on? Do we expect to know? Or do we sit back, stay “mum” and hope it all works out? I think not.
Important decisions made behind closed doors without proper transparency and debate, are simply not acceptable.
Who pays for the Mornington Peninsula Shire? We all do! The ratepayers!
Councillors, the public elected you. Where is open public debate? Lift your game please or face the public’s ire.
Annabel Richards, Somers
Planning powers
A Planning Matters Policy went before Council on Wednesday 5 November; it was adopted without change from the officer’s recommendations despite attempts at amendments.
In my opinion this updated policy has major implications and limitations on the ability of councillors to raise or represent our community on planning matters.
The policy needs to be compared to the previous policy by reading the marked up changes in the report in order to understand the impact this will have on community awareness of planning matters or even the ability of councillors to discuss planning applications.
It is accepted under case law and government direction that raising matters for community discussion is part of our democratic and representative rights. Built-in protection of the planning system enforces councillors not to make up their minds on planning applications until all information is available and voted on at a council meeting.
Unusually the policy was only made public on the day of the public council meeting and gave our community little opportunity to speak to their ward councillors and have a voice before the policy was voted on.
The many alterations put together make for an impossible burden on councillors to carry out their community representative role.
It is very important for discussion so that town planning issues are understood and the public can give informed feedback for council consideration. With the many planning changes by the state government taking away notifications and rights of appeal on sensitive planning applications it is essential for councils to stand up for their communities.
There is now a further opportunity for public input because of an accepted revocation motion that means further debate on the Planning Matters Policy will be held at the council meeting on 2 December 2025.
Cr David Gill, Coolart Ward
The Eagle upgrade
As a young family living on the Mornington Peninsula, we wholeheartedly support the Arthurs Seat Eagle (ASE) 2026 Upgrade Plan. This development represents a fantastic opportunity to create more family-friendly attractions and strengthen our local economy.
The addition of the experience centre, luge, and observation tower will make Arthurs Seat a true destination for both locals and tourists. These experiences will offer something for all ages and encourage families like ours to spend more time exploring our own region.
Importantly, the project will create more than 100 new jobs for local people — opportunities that will help young residents stay and work in the area rather than moving away. The construction phase will boost local trades and suppliers, while long-term operations will benefit hospitality and retail businesses across the peninsula.
By expanding tourism diversity and attracting overnight visitors, the ASE upgrade will strengthen local prosperity and community pride. It’s also reassuring that the project involves private investment, ensuring sustainable funding while delivering public benefits.
We believe this development will enhance the region’s reputation as one of Victoria’s most dynamic and welcoming destinations. It’s an investment in the future of our community, our children, and our local economy.
Brett Figas, Somerville
Editor’s note: An internet search indicates that Brett Figas is an employee of commercial construction company Long Contracting.
If that information is correct, this would be the fourth letter The News has received from employees or directors of Long Contracting in the last few weeks.
All four letters have been very similar in style, and all have been strongly in favour of the Arthurs Seat Eagle upgrade.
We reached out to Mr Figas for an explanation, but did not receive a reply.
Empty buildings
As a regular user of the Frankston foreshore it is becoming clearer that the Council is not concerned about the empty buildings on the so called iconic Waterfront around the pier..
The Visitors Information Centre (award winning) has closed and nobody knows where to get tourist information. The old Sofia restaurant building is empty and has been for months. It is starting to look derelict with weeds growing and dirty windows. The Frankston Yacht Club does a good job in making their building seem active but they are only allowed to use a small portion of the building and most of it has been empty for years. Ratepayers have had plenty of promises but nothing happens.
Considering the prime location for these buildings right on the beach why are they empty and under used, particularly with summer rapidly approaching?
Andrew Whittaker, Frankston South
Seawall
The ineptitude of our local councils is at times breathtaking. The infamous seawall built on public land without permission or approval is still there. Furthermore it has been developed even further to include a boat ramp.
The council has responded with angry words, finger wagging and threatening legal action. The solution is simple. Treat the unauthorised works as rubbish dumped on the beach. Send in an excavator and a few trucks and the problem is solved. No permissions, legal letters or authorisations are need.
The best part is there is someone to send the bill to.
Ross Hudson, Mount Martha
Unelectable LNP
There is something unfathomable in the stupid decision of the Liberal party to dump net zero by 2050.
I’m not sure these Trumpian ways will be appreciated by the majority of Australians. Especially the young already disenfranchised generations of Australians.
If the plan is to consign the Liberals to a long time in opposition, their leadership is going the right way about it.
It is not good for democracy to have an opposition that after 20 years of internal warfare about action on climate change is still not able to bring a sane plan for our future to the people.
What a sad state of affairs.
Rupert Steiner, Balnarring
Net zero stand
In May, Flinders voters sent Zoe McKenzie a clear message. Her margin collapsed from 6.7% to just 2.8%, with independent Ben Smith’s climate action platform winning over one in five voters. We’re now a marginal seat, and our member needs to start listening.
This week, the Liberal Party debated abandoning its Net Zero by 2050 commitment, pushed by their National Party partners and hard right faction. Meanwhile, the International Energy Agency released data showing that Net Zero is actually the cheapest path forward for households in advanced economies. By 2050, energy bills could halve under a Net Zero scenario compared to slower transitions. Even the Liberals’ own polling shows voters want sensible climate action and don’t blame Net Zero for high power bills.
The real culprit for our energy costs? Years of Liberal inaction on energy policy. Their refusal to commit to a genuine plan meant the business sector invested in neither aging fossil fuel plants nor cleaner alternatives. Now we’re stuck with decaying infrastructure and spiralling costs.
Zoe attended that party room meeting where members presented their views on Net Zero. She heard the federal director explain that voters see Net Zero as sensible climate action. She knows her constituents care about this, many of them voted for Ben Smith because of it.
So here’s my question: Where do you stand, Zoe? What did you say in that meeting? Will you represent the views of your now marginal electorate, or will you toe the party line as you always do?
Your constituents deserve to know. We’re not asking for much, just honesty about where you stand on the policy that nearly cost you your seat.
Kim Robbins, Safety Beach
Tail wagged the dog
The tail has wagged the dog and that dog ain’t gonna hunt. The loud voices in the Nationals have had a massive win, leading the Liberals by the nose.
Does anyone really think the coalition will not drop the Paris agreement? Well, it depends on what the tail says. This dog will be chasing its tail for some time.
Can’t wait to see their solution to reduce prices (hahahaha).
Coalition vowed to cut wholesale electricity prices by a quarter in 2019, but the AEMO’s data shows the average price in the eastern states rose a disturbing amount instead.
Not only has it ditched its support for net zero by 2050 and Australia’s 2030 climate targets, the Coalition also does not have any policies to reduce emissions, in fact announcing support for more coal fired plants and extending the life of those in existence. And then Nuclear again!
Industries focused on emissions reduction and clean energy technologies, including those for power generation, transport, and heavy industry, will be negatively impacted.
Based on recent political discussions in Australia, industries expected to be supported under a potential Coalition government that weakens or abandons net zero commitments would likely include traditional energy sectors such as gas, coal, and potentially nuclear power.
The general stance associated with this policy shift is one of prioritising the protection of existing Australian industries and the economy from what they describe as “net zero at any cost” policies, which implies less regulatory pressure on high-emitting sectors.
This approach contrasts with the current government’s focus on renewables, clean technology, and the legislated Net Zero Economy Authority, which aims to support workers transitioning from fossil fuel industries to new jobs in the clean energy sector.
Joe Lenzo, Safety Beach
Better climate sources
It is interesting that your correspondent points out that climate science is “an extremely narrow field” (Climate inquiry, Letters 11/11/25). But it’s not so narrow that one must accept the speculations of a chemist born in 1922, who found employment as Chief Chemist of the Coal Research Association in NZ and who took up pestering the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change review board as a hobby.
In 2025, I prefer to get my advice from people who have researched, taught and written on climate, and who are still doing so.
I recommend Sunburnt Country by Joelle Gergis, an award-winning Australian climate scientist. Or her short lecture at the State Library of Victoria on her work with the South-Eastern Australian Climate Reconstruction Project, which harnessed colonial-era manuscripts and artworks as well as more scientific techniques to reconstruct Australia’s climate history back to 1788.
Or maybe, if time is very short, look at a 1912 article published in The Braidwood Dispatch, a mining journal – ten years before the querulous chemist was born. Its headline read “Coal consumption affecting climate”.
Lesley Walker, Northcote
Choose better info
Brian A Mitchelson is unconcerned about climate change, challenges the reliability of global temperature measurements, and is dismissive of the role greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide play in planetary warming (Climate inquiry, Letters 12/11/25).
His reliance on people like Dr Vincent Gray, who died seven years ago aged 96, for his evidence is revealing.
Gray worked as a chemist for the NZ Coal Research Association until his retirement. And, according to DeSmog, a fact-based information site regarding global warming misinformation campaigns, a search of 22,000 academic journals shows that Gray has never been published in a peer-reviewed journal on the subject of climate change.
In his embarrassing address to a 2008 US Heartland conference, Gray describes human-induced climate change as a “scam” and climate science as a “new religion”. Hardly scientific language.
It would be better if Mr Mitchelson sourced his climate change information from the Australian Academy of Science. Its publication, The science of climate change: questions and answers “aims to address confusion created by contradictory information in the public domain.” A good place to start.
Sue Rechter, Talbot
Solar power
Credit to Repower Mornington for offering public events to discuss the ins and outs of solar and batteries (Solar and batteries event coming to Rye, The News 11/11/25).
While political shenanigans continue in Canberra over climate pollution targets, Australian people are getting on with the job of cleaning up our energy system and saving ourselves money in the process.
100,000 new home battery systems have been installed since the start of July and over four million Australian homes already have rooftop solar.
After the initial outlay, solar and batteries save money, reduce climate pollution and improve our energy security. That’s worth learning about.
Amy Hiller, Kew
Aged care outsourcing
The outsourcing of in-home care by the Frankston Council to private enterprise can end in higher costs and poor quality services.
As seen in the state infrastructure builds there have been blow outs in construction costs and in the build times that the infrastructure was to be completed.
The policy of government getting private enterprise to run government programs and builds has been a disaster costing tax payers and rate payers immensely.
Governments cannot control quality of service costs by free enterprise.
Can the Frankston Council do even better ?
Russell Morse, Karingal
Opposed to Treaty
With all due respect to your triumphant correspondent Maureen Donnelly (Treaty, Letters 11/11/25), who seems to think that the peninsula “can be both its present and its past”, that language and culture are objects that can be stolen and that this was an American slave state, when her warm inner glow wears off she will find that what this “Treaty” has done is to divide Victorian citizens on the basis of race and to create a new type of hereditary elite from those who have an aboriginal ancestor.
If newspaper reports are correct, the representatives of this powerful new elite will be able to interfere in any government function they choose, including school curriculums, and to create separate laws for “First Nations” people.
Other citizens will be required to “compensate” this elite for what was done to some of their ancestors by others of their ancestors, and generation after generation of Victorian taxpayers will be required to pay large and increasing amounts of monetary tribute to generations of this elite.
And after all that their aboriginal ancestors will still have been badly treated, and will still be dead.
Albert Riley, Mornington
Lego competition
As grandparents who went along to watch our granddaughter compete in the Lions Bendigo Bank Lego Technical Competition we were overjoyed to watch the 80 grade five students from the ten local primary schools.
The students worked in teams to diligently create their engineered Lego machines, many having to rework and change things around to achieve success. It was exhilarating to hear the cheers of joy from each group when their structure produced the intended result.
Thanks must go to Lions, the Bendigo Bank and the wonderful teachers who accompanied their students, giving encouragement and emotional support when needed.
The event showcased the depth in the Mornington community when so many groups can come together to help foster the next generation.
Thanks also to the lovely photographer from The News who very unobtrusively took candid shots of the students working on their machines.
He has enabled us all celebrate the achievements of the 80 students who participated in this event.
Marilyn Hoban, Mornington
Barley-Charlie@89
Remembrance Day? From Galbraith – “Ever the search, for a superior moral justification for selfishness”. Problem is, there never is.
Melbourne Cup Day – “This is a moment we’ll savour forever” Who won it; forgotten already? Not to mention (yet again, I shall) “now” is simply another dimension.
If this dimension is existing within you, ethereal, your three hour wait at The Alfred Hospital can be bearable, ALL appointments 9am, seen at midday? A master of patience, despite Scott Morrison and now Anthony Albanese signing us up for the dangerous AUKUS myth.
Susan Ley, sweet, honest lady, sadly without the strength of a leader.
Old Gough was leader, not so two of his Ministers; 50 years eh, free university fees, brought our forced troops home, other pluses.
True, Albo’s not a lot better than others, Richard Marles even worse, but Albo smiles regularly, has the numbers in classy Penny Wong, and Chris Bowen, and Jim Chalmers, not to mention nonsense outpouring from David Littleproud, Michaelia and Barnaby.
The ‘Problem’ obviously, the wastage of Albanese’s power, to get more important matters ‘done’, preferring they sit on their backsides letting the Opposition feed amongst themselves?
Politics locally, Flinders electorate, a good example of the film – “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”.
Trees require feeding like everything else on Planet Earth. The more we chop them down the more the wind and rain drops in, for (mostly) an unfriendly, sometimes vicious visit?
Always hated caravans; stayed once Burleigh Heads, 4 nights, arguing, waiting for the latest in high-rise luxury, alongside the Pacific ocean. Now, 60 years on, caravans yes, no walking, no talking.
With net zero by 2050, the importance of TIME, the danger of PEOPLE – and looking forward to my 114th birthday. Salt, or positivity forever?
Cliff Ellen, Rye