IT is only a month out from the state election, and all candidates have been out campaigning.
Labor’s newly-minted candidate, Kerry Macdonald, has welcomed announcements from the Premier, that agreement has been reached with the federal government for significantly increased funding for public schools.
“That means that every school in Mornington district will benefit from more per student per year with additional loadings for children with disability and special needs,” said Macdonald.
“This funding exists because Victorian Labor fought for it. Only a Labor government can deliver it.”
Macdonald also announced that Labor has promised a $30 cap on freeway tolls if it wins the election. This would hold road tolls at $30 a week in 2027 as well as a $30 weekly cap on public transport fares which is about half of the standard five-day full fare cost.
Macdonald told The News she is delighted to see additional measures announced this week to protect our Green Wedge, urban fringes and agricultural land from over-development. Kerry said, “Only Labor will protect Mornington Peninsula’s green wedge and our agricultural land and Labor won’t change the urban growth boundary.”
Liberal member Chris Crewther made a number of large announcements this week.
Crewther announced an elected Liberal-National government will fund $10m towards the redevelopment of Mount Eliza Secondary College, including a dedicated student wellbeing facility and redeveloped senior learning and drama centres.
Also announced was a $2m commitment towards a walking and cycling trail between Mornington and Moorooduc station.
Crewther also announced an elected Liberal government will provide up to $100,000 to the 2nd Mornington Sea Scouts for essential works and equipment renewal at SSS Seafire on Scout Beach in Mornington.
Crewther said the investment would help ensure the Sea Scouts could continue providing young people with opportunities to learn, develop skills and enjoy the water in a safe and well-equipped environment.
“2nd Mornington Sea Scouts play an important role in our community, giving local young people the opportunity to build confidence, learn practical skills and develop strong connections with their mates and the wider community,” said Crewther.
Crewther said the investment would support the continued operation of the Sea Scouts at their Mornington home on Scout Beach.
One Nation’s Ashli Beards told The News, “On Monday 19 October, we had the Shout out Forum held by the Mornington Peninsula Shire for all candidates running for Mornington”.
“I made the point that if elected, I would love to be in a position where we upgrade roads like Coolart Rd entirely, and that the Peninsula Trail is completed for outdoor recreation for everyone to use.
“That said, I also stressed the point that Victoria is broke, and unlike other candidates, I will not be making empty promises with Monopoly money just to win votes.
“My focus remains on community safety with the implementation of our extensive crime policy that tackles crime from the underfunded police, to a sentencing review board to ensure sentencing meets community expectations, and no presumption of bail for serious repeat offenders, to name a few.
“With our policies, I will be committed to ensure the peninsula crime rate drops drastically and rough sleepers and the vulnerable are looked after as a matter of priority.
“I trust the public is now informed enough about our state debt to know we need to fix the essentials first.”
Independent candidate Adrian Maher last week has announced the Victorian Household Debt Relief Service – a practical plan to put critical money back into household budgets.
“Too many Victorian households are juggling credit cards, personal loans, car finance, high home loan interest rates and often paying exorbitant interest across multiple lenders,” said Maher.
“Many big banks are making enormous profits from those that can least afford it and I’ve seen this firsthand.
“Credit card and personal loan interest repayments can very quickly cripple households as well. I will establish a free, independent Victorian Household Debt Relief Service to rapidly help people put that money back in their pockets.
“The outreach service will be located throughout Victoria and replace the tiny footprint of financial support that was previously offered. It will proactively help households consolidate and refinance expensive debts and negotiate with creditors.
“The objective is clear: reduce financial stress and deliver Victorian households vital funds to live on. The service will be free to access, independently operated and backed by strong consumer protections.”
Last week Independent for Mornington, Melissa Goffin launched her “Fair Share” Policy which centres on the introduction of the Fair Share Act, designed to enforce transparency and mandate needs based state funding across Victoria.
The proposed legislation rests on these core pillars:
Show Us the Money: Mandates annual public reporting of all state grants, infrastructure spending, health and school upgrades, and election promises broken down by electorate.
Need Comes First: Directs funding using existing, objective government data, such as school condition ratings and road repair backlogs preventing ministers from hand-picking project recipients.
Explain the Exceptions: Requires ministers to formally document and publicly justify any decision that bypasses higher-need communities or jumps the queue for unranked election promises.
In addition to legislative reform, the Fair Share Policy locks in targeted funding commitments for critical local priorities, including:
- $20 million to both of Mornington Secondary College and Mt Eliza Secondary College
- $7 million to complete vital facility upgrades at Emil Madsen Reserve.
- $3.5 million for targeted fixes at high-risk local intersections, including Bungower Road, Craigie Road, and Wooralla Drive.
- Design funding for a dedicated Mornington Performing Arts Centre to serve local arts groups, dance schools, and choirs.
- Policy carve-outs allowing the Peninsula to access regional benefits like a reduced payroll tax rate, development grants and training investments that won’t compromise Green wedge protections.
- Scrapping metro-only levies while committing to clear the local state road repair backlog within one year.
“When funding goes to the seats a party wants to win or keep, it doesn’t go where it’s needed most,” said Goffin.
“As an independent, I answer to this community, not party room priorities. It’s time to make Mornington matter.”
First published in the Mornington News – 27 October 2026
