PAUL Mercurio pulled off an unlikely victory in 2022, swinging the seat of Hastings to Labor for the first time in 16 years. Less than two months out from the next state election, and marked as the underdog, Mercurio plans to prove the doubters wrong once again.
On the wrapping up of parliament two weeks ago, Mercurio expressed his gratitude in a social media post, stating: “I never really thought I’d be doing this but thank you very much to everyone who has supported me in being here.”
After serving as the Member for Hastings for nearly four years, Mercurio has had a chance to reflect on his time as a politician.
“The role is like an iceberg,” said Mercurio.
“People see the tip of the iceberg, but most of the activity is going on underneath the surface.”
Mercurio equates politics as a “massive machine, with so many conversations going on” but his role to be approachable and engaging.
“I actually do my supermarket shopping at a different place each week intentionally so people can approach me with their issues,” said Mercurio.
Mercurio won the seat in 2022 with a tight 1.35% margin but with the declining popularity of the state government in the polls, he faces an uphill battle in 2026.
“That is nothing new for me. They said I wouldn’t win last time and I did,” said Mercurio.
He said he is very much used to “doing my own thing” and isn’t worried at the thought that considerable head office resources may not be thrown at his seat.
“I’m not going to be defined as a ‘non-winnable seat’,” said Mercurio.
As for his Liberal opponent, Frank Schiefler, Mercurio appears unfazed.
“He seems keen to play the man and not the ball. That’s fine, but he is wrong on many issues. He just doesn’t appear to be across the facts,” said Mercurio.
Referencing Schiefler’s statement about the movie that made Mercurio a household name, “Strictly Ballroom”, being made before he was even born, Mercurio states he believes that reflects the lack of Schiefler’s life experience.
“The fact is I had an abundance of life experience before he was even born”.
Mercurio claims to having had anything but a “silver spoon” life, telling The News he had a great acting career, but also periods between jobs where times were very tough.
“You know you’re an actor when out of work!” said Mercurio.
“Between those jobs I’ve dug ditches, I’ve washed dishes. I’ve done what needs to be done to look after my family and feed my kids. I know hard work, and I know what must be done.”
Mercurio rejects Schiefler’s claim that Labor doesn’t care for the Hastings electorate, saying that Daniel Andrews, Jacinta Allan and Ben Carroll have all been to the electorate. And while admitting there have been failures, he is asking the voters to look at the accomplishments.
“I’m reminding of a conversation I had with [Labor politician] Shaun Leane when I was first pre-selected as the Labor candidate for Hastings,” said Mercurio.
“I asked him about how to communicate to people what Labor is about. His response was ‘Tell them Labor build stuff’.
“I think on that a lot. If only people stopped and thought about what we built. The level crossing removals. The 121 new schools. The rebuilding of TAFE. The 12 new or rebuilt hospitals. The Northeast Tunnel. The Westgate Tunnel. The Metro Tunnel. Infrastructure that will benefit Victorians for generations.
“We’ve been building a whole lot of stuff, but we have taken our eyes off the road, quite literally, and that needs to be fixed” said Mercurio, referring to the state’s potholes.
Mercurio is also frustrated about what he sees as “disinformation” coming from the Liberal camp regarding policing in the electorate.
“It is a disingenuous campaign that is misleading to suggest the Hastings police station is not operational 24 hours day,” said Mercurio.
“There are police there 24 hours a day seven days a week. Saying anything else is just scaremongering to win votes. What a shame.”
Three weeks ago, it was announced Mercurio would also face One Nation candidate Peter Angelico.
“He is not local,” said Mercurio.
“And One Nation’s attempt to channel US-style Trump politics here should leave prospective voters thinking very careful what they wish for.”
Mercurio believes state Labor has a new lease on life under Ben Carroll and believes there are a lot of great reasons to keep Labor in power. But Spring Street and all the machinations of state politics aside, he believes the role is for him to be a servant of the people.
“At the end of the day, I’m just a bloke who wants to help,” said Mercurio.
First published in the Western Port News – 7 October 2026
