IT’s less than eight weeks until the state election on 28 November, and Labor is still to announce candidates for the seats of Mornington and Nepean.
A Labor insider told The News an announcement would be made “hopefully next week” after earlier saying “we are quite frustrated”.
The delay in pre-selecting a Labor candidate condenses the time available for campaigning and announcements, putting them at a distinct disadvantage against the four other candidates already campaigning.
Liberal member Chris Crewther made his first big election commitment on Saturday 3 October with $7m to finish the Emil Madsen Reserve Master Plan. The funding will enable the much-anticipated Western Pavilion to be completed.
Along with general campaigning, Crewther also hit the road at 2am on 1 October with Mt Martha mother Natasha Dreger to accompany her on part of her 60km walk to raise funds for Deaf Children Australia (“Mt Martha resident to hit the road to raise funds for deafness support”, The News, 30/6/26).
In a social media post, Crewther wrote: “Tash is raising funds for deaf and hard of hearing children, including kids like her son Hamish. Every donation helps support families, early intervention, education and opportunities for children to build confidence and connection”.
One Nation’s Ashli Beards told The News she had been lobbying for the removal of rubbish dumped at the Oakbank Rd bus stop on Nepean Highway in Mornington. (“Rubbish heap continues to grow on Nepean Hwy”, The News, 22/9/26).
“Apparently the heap of rubbish had been there for months,” said Beards.
“I went to the site, took photos and posted them on my Facebook page. It didn’t take long before I received an overwhelming response from the public. In a matter of days the entire heap of rubbish was gone.
“Great result for the people of Mornington. I had contacted the council and am still am seeking information as to why this happened and why it took so long to clean up.
“We have also hit the streets and markets for campaigning. The response has been incredibly positive. People want change and see One Nation as the party to deliver what this state needs.
“For local matters, I am working to develop a policy that addresses the homelessness and rough sleeping in the peninsula.
“My policy for this area is specific to the issues in our community and I intend to propose and roadmap short, medium and long term solutions. Homelessness is a serious problem that needs ongoing resolutions, not just bandaids or money promises during election time.”
Independent candidate Melissa Goffin met with Mornington Community Support Centre CEO, Ben Smith and Meagan Skehill – acting CEO of Community Information and Support Victoria to address the cost of living crisis and new housing initiatives to address homelessness.
Goffin also met with Josh Sinclair, the CEO of The Committee for Frankston and Mornington Peninsula who works with local businesses to advocate for better outcomes for our region.
Goffin has worked closely with Sinclair and CMFP over the years as a member and fellow advocacy group through the association she founded, Women in Business MP & Frankston. The two discussed the importance of ensuring local voices are heard to get a fair share of state funding.
Goffin is holding a “Politics in the Pub” event at the Grand Hotel in Mornington on Thursday night to cover important local issues and answer questions.
Independent candidate, Adrian Maher, has been focussing on the provision of mental health support without gaps.
“Over the past few weeks, I’ve been out in the community listening to residents, receiving dozens of comments and concerns through my campaign team, and speaking directly with mental health care professionals,” said Maher.
“It has become abundantly clear to me that we need to act now.
“The alarming levels of psychological distress identified in the federal government’s commissioned work on mental health and suicide prevention are a stark reminder that too many Australians and their families are struggling to get the support they need.
“Here on the Mornington Peninsula, we need practical action.
“I am committing to establishing a fully funded, No Gap Mental Health Support Service in the electorate of Mornington, funded by the Victorian government.
“Mental health support should not depend on whether someone can afford it. And recovery doesn’t necessarily happen within a predetermined number of sessions.
“People need access to the right support, for as long as they need it.”
First published in the Mornington News – 6 October 2026
