OCCAM’S razor is a philosophical principal that suggests that the simplest explanation of a phenomenon is usually the most likely one. In the case of the decision of right-wing Trumpet of Patriots to place Climate 200-backed candidates second on a number of their how-to-vote cards, including for Flinders Trumpet of Patriots candidate Jason Smart, the most likely explanations would be that it was a strategic move (at best) or an error in judgment (at worst). But Clive Palmer had another explanation, quite at odds with the principle of occam’s razor. Instead, Trumpet of Patriots headquarters had somehow been “hacked” and…
Author: Cameron McCullough
LABOR’S Sarah Race has entered the last week of the election campaign focussing on health. The healthcare and social assistance sector is the biggest employer on the peninsula with almost 10,000 workers; over 15% of the local workforce. The sector is worth almost $1b to the local economy and supports tens of thousands of people who need medical care, aged care, mental health care, or NDIS support. “Health, aged care and disability support touch every family on the peninsula. Labor backs our 10,000 health workers and the local families that rely on their support.” Race said.Race told The News that…
THE Australian Electoral Commission believes this federal election will have the most complete electoral roll for any Australian federal election since federation, with around 18 million people enrolled; approximately 98% of the eligible population. The federal election process is a huge undertaking with more than 500 early voting centres currently operating across the country and over 7000 polling places operating on election day. On Saturday 3 May, over 100,000 temporary staff will work at the election. There will be 20,000 lanyards, and 240,000 vests and staff will use 25,000 copies of the electoral roll to check off the names of…
A woman missed out on her fast-food order in Mornington overnight after being caught allegedly three times over the alcohol limit. Police responded to reports of a woman driving erratically at a drive-thru on Nepean Highway about 11.45pm on 26 April. Officers approached the vehicle and gave the 56-year-old driver a preliminary breath test which returned a positive result. She was conveyed to a police station for an evidentiary breath test, where she allegedly returned a reading of .149. The Somerville woman did not get what she ordered. Her car was impounded and she will be charged on summons with…
THE board of inquiry into the McCrae landslide began its local consultations and made its first site visit on 9 April, with the chair of the inquiry, Renée Enbom KC, visiting the landslide site to understand first-hand the impacts of the event. The inquiry team also met with affected McCrae residents in attendance to hear their stories, gather relevant knowledge, and provide them with information about how to contribute to the inquiry. “Many residents affected have suffered significant impacts from the landslide, I want to acknowledge how challenging this has been on the McCrae community, and particularly those residents who…
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a burglary in Mount Martha on 10 April. It is believed an unknown offender has attended the Bradford Drive residence around 9:30am and gained entry to the house. A short time later the offender was confronted by the resident, where the offender has pulled out a weapon before fleeing the scene. Police have released images of a male they believe can assist with their enquiries. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
THE Commonwealth Electoral Act was comprehensively rewritten in 1918 to introduce preferential voting, replacing the previous “first past the post” system that had existed in the years after Federation. The change was in response to the rise of the Country Party in the aftermath of the First World War – a third major party – and the prospect of the loss of seats to Labor through a split in the non-Labor vote. The three-party system which preferential voting helped to support has remained fundamentally unchanged to this day. The system has also encouraged the participation in elections of minor candidates…
FOR the second federal election in a row, Mornington Peninsula Shire is publishing a “pledge tracker” on its website to inform resident of the “commitments made by candidates”. The tracker attracted criticism last federal election for being “blatantly unfair” with financial pledges only possible by candidates from the two major parties (Shire accused of being off track with pledges, The News 17/5/22). A “pledge” is a commitment by the candidate’s party to fund the pledged project in a future budget and only deliverable if that party wins government. The tracker currently lists Liberal candidate Zoe McKenzie, Labor candidate Sarah Race…
INDEPENDENT candidate for Flinders, Ben Smith, has put small business front and centre in the election campaign, launching his policy platform over the weekend as a new poll shows the seat is now on a knife-edge. Speaking while visiting several local businesses and markets across the peninsula, Smith said it’s time to stop treating the region like an inner-city suburb and start supporting the local employers who actually drive our economy. “As a small business owner in Flinders for over a decade, I understand the unique challenges peninsula businesses face,” Smith said. “My wife and I started our retail store…
THE Trumpet of Patriots candidate for the electorate of Flinders, Jason Smart, has announced he is “withdrawing his candidacy” for the upcoming federal election after being “blind sided by Clive Palmer’s decision” to preference Climate 200 backed candidate Ben Smith. The announcement came on Monday (21 April) after he was unable to resolve the preferencing issue with Trumpet of Patriots head office. The preferences “crisis” came after One Nation’s Mike Brown and Smart had originally announced on 16 April they would stand as a “unified alliance”. Accordingly, Smart stated his intention to place Brown second on the Trumpet of Patriots…
NOTHING says election time as much as conflicts between the opposing teams over signage. Last federal election the issue rose to prominence with the defacing of Zoe McKenzie’s campaign signage (and vehicle) with vile, misogynistic graffiti. The vandalism garnered national coverage for its “nasty and personal” nature, and a level of confusion due to McKenzie being a relative unknown at the time. McKenzie’s only substantial work on the peninsula had been with the Committee for Mornington Peninsula, and work as a member of “Save Our Spidercrabs”, campaigning for an exclusion zone around piers to prevent fishing for spider crabs between…
NOMINATIONS have now closed for the 2025 federal election with seven candidates competing in the Flinders electorate. The nominated candidates are, in ballot order: Jason Smart (Trumpet of Patriots), Ben Smith (Independent), Zoe McKenzie (Liberal), Mike Brown (One Nation), Joseph Toscano (Independent), Sarah Race (Labor) and Adam Frogley (Greens). The field of seven is substantially smaller than in 2022 when ten candidates contested the seat including two independents, and candidates from United Australia, Liberal Democrats, Animal Justice Party and Federation Party. Zoe McKenzie’s big announcement for last week was a $2m investment by an elected Dutton Liberal government to improve…
LAST week marked the first full week of campaigning since the federal election was called for 3 May.Candidates wasted no time hitting the hustings with a flurry of appearances and some sizeable commitments. Nominations for candidacy in the federal election close this Thursday (10 April), so we should have a full list of candidates by next week’s edition of The News. Labor candidate Sarah Race was joined on the campaign trail by the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, to announce a number of infrastructure projects a re-elected Albanese government would undertake. The promises included:…
Detectives from the Missing Persons Squad are this week searching an area of Cape Schanck as part of their investigation into the suspicious disappearance of Sergio Cuesta in 2023. The search, which will take place today and tomorrow, will focus on an area near the Gunnamatta Surf Club. Over the past 18 months, police have conducted a number of searches in the area in an effort to locate Sergio’s remains. Sergio was last seen on 16 September 2023 when he was dropped off by a male friend on Jabiru Drive in Chelsea Heights. A concerned female friend reported the 28-year-old…
WITH the election date set for 3 May, the “phoney war” is over, and the real battle begins. The News is currently aware of five candidates that have elected to run in Flinders in 2025: Zoe McKenzie (Liberal), Sarah Race (Labor), Ben Smith (Independent), Adam Frogley (Greens) and Mike Brown (One Nation). In 2022, ten candidates contested the seat including two independents, and candidates from United Australia, Liberal Democrats, Animal Justice Party and Federation Party. Independent Ben Smith had a busy week including meeting with the CEO of Homelessness Australia, Kate Colvin, to discuss the current housing crisis and explore…
Under new laws set to be introduced on the Mornington Peninsula, swimmers will be afforded much greater protection from the dangers posed by jet skis. The new laws come after years of lobbying by various groups concerned by people and high-powered watercraft being in the same vicinity. Under the plan, swimmers will be restricted from entering the water at Mornington Peninsula beaches except for certain designated windows. Between August and April each year, swimmers will only be able to enter the water between 8am and 11am. During that window, jet skis must remain at least 200 metres offshore. “This is…
LESS than a year after forming a new entity after the collapse into liquidation of the old one, the Hastings Club has again been placed into liquidation. The collapse of the club follows its closure on 30 October last year due to a water leak under the floor; an issue that is still unresolved and has left the club unable to trade and continuing to accumulate costs. An information meeting of members was held on 11 March, outlining the difficult pathway forward for the club. And at a Special General Meeting held last Tuesday (25 March), the 64 members in…
Firefighters are currently responding to a grass fire at Forest Drive in Mt Martha. Currently, seven units are responding to the incident which is listed as “under control” (please see update below). Vic Emergency has advised that smoke may be visible in the vicinity of the fire, but that there is no immediate threat to the community and no action is required. UPDATE – Vic Emergency has put out an ember alert for properties north east of the fire. The alert is a “stay informed” and is from 4.25pm. It states that, contrary to earlier advice, the fire is not…
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a collision involving a stolen car in Langwarrin last night. The allegedly stolen Nissan Pulsar collided with a second vehicle on North Road, at the intersection of McClelland Drive, about 10.15pm. The unidentified male driver of the stolen vehicle was taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The female driver of the second vehicle was also taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The vehicle was allegedly stolen during an aggravated burglary in Cranbourne West about 12pm on 25 March. Investigators will interview the driver, who is under police guard, once he is released…
HOUSING, healthcare, and the cost of living were at the forefront at a federal election forum attended by Flinders candidates last Thursday, 20 March. A large crowd watched the forum at Rosebud Country Club to hear the five nominated candidates outline their vision for the Mornington Peninsula. Taking the stage were Flinders MP Zoe McKenzie (Liberal), Adam Frogley (Greens), Ben Smith (Independent), Mike Brown (One Nation), and Sarah Race (Labor). Topics ranged from housing affordability, healthcare, and infrastructure funding to climate change, crime and the cost of living. Moderated by mayor Cr Anthony Marsh, the shire stated the aim of…
WITH still no election date announced last week, candidates were on the hustings with numerous appearances at schools, stalls and shopping strips by McKenzie (Liberal), Race (Labor) and Smith (Independent). The only other two candidates to have nominated for the upcoming election, Mike Brown (One Nation) and Adam Frogley (Greens) had their first foray into the public realm at the shire-organised candidate forum, making Flinders a five-way race at present. Liberal candiate Zoe McKenzie held a law and order forum on Monday (17 March) coinciding with a visit from Shadow Minister for Community Safety, the Hon Jason Wood MP. “Jason…
THE state government have appointed Renée Enbom KC to lead the inquiry into the cause of the landslide that occurred in McCrae on 14 January. Enbom has appeared in several inquiries in Victoria over the last decade, including the Royal Commission into the Management of Police Informants and the Yoorrook Justice Commission, as well as several recent Commonwealth Royal Commissions. A statement from the government said the board of inquiry would be asked to “get to the bottom of what happened and to identify measures to prevent similar incidences occurring in the future”. “Once established, the inquiry will develop a…
Police are investigating the circumstances after a woman’s body was located in waters off Seaford this morning (Friday, 21 March). Emergency services were called to the vicinity of Nepean Highway about 6.55am. The woman is yet to be formally identified and it is not yet known if the death is suspicious. A post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death. A second crime scene is in place on Frankston beach front after a number of items were located. Police are investigating whether they are linked to the death of the woman. Anyone with information is urged to contact…
IT was a full house at Eliza Archery on Sunday (16 March) for a female-only archery event in celebration of International Women’s Day. The day was free for all participants, with female coaches on hand to help, and 2024 Olympian Laura Paeglis in attendance.“This is something we are passionate about,” said Alec Potts, owner of Eliza Archery, and founder of the not-for-profit Peninsula Target Archers that hosted the day. “This is the first time we’ve held this event, and it sold out, which we are very happy about. “We have opened especially on a Sunday to host this event, and…
Advice has been issued by South East Water to the residents of Flinders, Point Leo and Shoreham that as of 7:37 pm, 20 March 2025, the tap water is not safe to drink without boiling first. The warning comes after a dead rodent was found in Shoreham Reservoir during a maintenance inspection on Thursday 20 March 2025. While South East Water undertakes water testing and investigations, they’ve issued a Precautionary Boil Water Advisory to make sure tap water is safe to drink. E. coli itself is not necessarily harmful, but finding it means that the drinking water may be contaminated…
Compiled by Cameron McCullough ON Sunday morning last, Mr. H. Stell, of the Peninsula Motor Garage, Bay Street, Frankston, was returning from Mornington in a Hudson Super-Six, after conveying a party to that favourite seaside resort. When approaching the bend leading to the Frankston Pier, a Ford car coming in the opposite direction, also alleged to having been taking up more than a fair share of the roadway, swung in towards the Pier House in front of the car driven by Mr. Stell, who in an endeavour to avoid a collision, negotiated his Super-Six to the right. In so doing,…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has announced it will be lifting its annual investment in road renewal funding to $5.3m. Coupled with the $2.2m from the federal government’s “Roads to Recovery” program the yearly investment on road renewal on the peninsula will now be $7.5m.The shire manages more than 1360km of sealed roads, with their dilapidated state causing roads to be a regular feature in the shire’s customer satisfaction surveys. Residents have gone as far collecting petitions demanding action (Petition to fill potholes, The News 21/2/23) and have raised concerns that the current state of the roads is endangering motorists (Urgent safety…
The current measles outbreak in Victoria is growing with five further measles cases identified. Two of these cases are domestically acquired and linked to the recent domestic outbreak reported in February. Three cases acquired their infection overseas in Bali. These cases were infectious at multiple locations in Melbourne. The current outbreak has led to a list of exposure sites, including a number in Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula. The local exposure sites are: Frankston Hospital Emergency Department, 2 Hastings Road, Frankston between 8.15pm Wednesday 12 March and 2.15pm Thursday 13 March Frankston Hospital Emergency Department waiting room, 2 Hastings Road,…
IN a major policy shift, and a huge potential win for Hastings, councillors have voted to nominate the Hastings Marine Parade site as the preferred location for consolidated shire offices. The change comes after the previous council had “shortlisted” two sites: Queen Street in Mornington and Wannaeue Place in Rosebud (Shortlist of two for new shire HQ, The News 3/9/24). Officers put forward a motion at the 11 March meeting endorsing the Mornington and Rosebud sites, but councillors had other ideas. An amendment was put forward to the presented motion requesting the removal of Wannaeue Place (Rosebud) as an option…
MERRICKS Station Grounds, an equestrian facility which provides a safe sanctuary for horse riders to pursue their sport and passion, is pushing forward with plans to build a roof over one of its arenas to support year-round equestrian services on the peninsula.The current push comes after years of delays and false starts that have seen cost overruns and bureaucracy stymie the project. “This project was first mooted in the shire’s 2015 masterplan, and it looked like it was set to proceed before covid came along,” said Jenny Moore, chairperson of the Merricks/Red Hill Station Ground Equestrian Reserve Inc, that is…