THE Labor Party’s candidate for Nepean has been announced.
Surbhi Snowball is no stranger to political campaigns, having contested Flinders for Labor in 2022.
She is now entering the challenging contest for Nepean; a seat just six months out from a by-election where her party did not field a candidate.
“I am running because I feel that our community needs a good representative,” said Snowball.
Snowball currently works in finance after re-entering the workforce after raising two children.
Born in Mauritius, Snowball came to Australia in 2000, “fell in love, got married” and has called Melbourne home ever since.
She rescinded her Mauritian citizenship before contesting the federal election, as federal politicians are prohibited from holding foreign citizenship under the Australian Constitution.
“I am, proudly, only Australian!” said Snowball.
“If I am going to be an Australian citizen and participate, then I am going to fully participate.”
Her family moved to the peninsula around ten years ago, and she told The News she has been active in the community ever since.
“I have never wanted anyone to turn around and say ‘you didn’t participate’ or ‘you did nothing for our childrens’ future’,” said Snowball.
“This community is my own. The people that live here are my own. If I don’t do it, who will? And if I don’t do it now, then when will I?”
Snowball said she isn’t focussed on a single Labor policy or belief.
“It’s never a single issue for me,” said Snowball.
“Fundamentally, I don’t think there is a decision you can make on human life or economics if you are not taking the environment into consideration.”
Having said that, Snowball said she is aware that in the current election, the cost of living is a huge issue.
“Not that the two are separate but I am running to be a representative of the people. I’m not going to say ‘I’ll champion the environment’ when every second person says, ‘the cost of living is hurting me’.”
Snowball acknowledged that things like potholes are an issue but said Ben Carroll has a plan to get them addressed.
“I’m not saying it is not a problem, but I take it with a grain of salt and perspective and know there is certain bucket of money to deal with all the issues we need addressed.”
Snowball said Labor has committed $4m to upgrade the Emergency Department at Rosebud Hospital, and renovations are set to begin next year.
On another contentious issue for Nepean, Arthurs Seat Eagle’s planned development, Snowball acknowledged the community is against it but said although it has been approved that approval is contingent upon it meeting stringent environmental requirements.
Snowball acknowledges that Labor needs a fresh perspective and said this is possible under the leadership of Ben Carroll.
“We need to bring things that have been outsourced back in house. Because of these inefficiencies, these cost blowouts,” said Snowball.
“So much of it was exacerbated by Covid, and I feel like it has never recovered.
“How did we get to this stage where everything costs so much? We do need to do something about it, because it is not ok.
“I feel like Australia has been very fortunate and very lucky that we’ve had an insulated economy for so long; protected from various global crisis.
“But when costs keep going up and up, we reach that tipping point, and we’ve gotten there.”
On the state of politics, Snowball said “I wish people would come together, left or right, and work for our community.
“It baffles me that people don’t do this.”
Snowball said she believes One Nation are our greatest risk to democracy.
“How does one get to the stage where they demonise everyone else? It’s horrendous,” said Snowball.
“It’s so sad. I can’t believe there is anyone in our community would think like that.
“But we are Australian, and when any party comes in and tries to do the blame game, or scare campaign, they fail miserably.”
Snowball, who speaks five languages, said as a nation we need to be more aspirational.
“There are parties that will not let the truth get in the way of a good story. And the inflammatory language is awful and not fair,” said Snowball.
“We can aspire to do better, and we can do better. It is disgraceful that one boatload of people can tell another boatload of people they are not welcome here.”
Snowball believes the good Labor has done in the community gets lost, as it is far easier to focus on sensational news.
On example she mentions is the development of Urgent Care Clinics.
“Before that, every day the newspapers were full of stories about ambulance ramping at hospitals. We built these clinics and the problem has decreased significantly but then everybody just stopped talking about it and didn’t acknowledge what was been achieved,” said Snowball.
“We build so many things. But it takes a long time to do things.”
Snowball said Labor had achieved many things in the electorate of Nepean. From $29m of local school funding, the Rye Skate Park, playgrounds at Capel Sound and Hillview, or wider solutions like free dental for students.
As for why you should vote for Snowball, she said, “I live on the peninsula, I am part of this community, and I will represent this community”.
“I will listen to what people need and want and do my very best to represent them.”
“And people should know what is happening down here is because Labor are delivering.”
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 28 October 2026
