Statement on 2025 Federal Election
Following the re-election of the Albanese Federal Labor Government on 3 May, the Committee for Frankston & Mornington Peninsula looks forward to working with and advocating to the Commonwealth Government on delivering positive policymaking and significant investments into our region.
Congratulations to good friends of the Committee - Jodie Belyea MP and Zoe McKenzie MP - on their successful re-election as the Member for Dunkley and Member for Flinders respectfully.
Jodie and Zoe are bi-partisan, hardworking, and passionate about their local community. They have been incredibly supportive of the Committee’s work during their first terms, and we'll be seeking their guidance during this next term of Parliament to see what we can do together to influence a better peninsula.
In addition, the Committee would like to place on record its gratitude for Nathan Conroy, Sarah Race and Ben Smith. All three candidates have put a lot of blood, sweat and tears over the past year into their campaigns, and they have all worked hard for their respective sides of politics and the electorates.
All three have held high profile roles in our communities and have supported the Committee's work in different ways. We hope you all get some well-earned rest, and we look forward to seeing all three of you out in our community making a difference once again very soon!
During the election campaign, the Committee met with our candidates and presented to them our Federal Election priorities. They were:
- Nepean Boulevard Revitalisation
- The National Centre for Healthy Ageing
- Public Transport Improvements
- Funding towards Rosebud Hospital
- Peninsula Trails
3 of the 5 priorities received funding commitments from either the Government or the Opposition.
Unfortunately, neither side of politics made any announcements in relation to the National Centre for Healthy Ageing (NCHA).
The centre is a partnership between Monash University and Peninsula Health, conducting groundbreaking work as a leader in research and care in ageing, health and aged care. It is the only one of its kind in Australia, and it had previously received bi-partisan support from previous governments.
We urge the re-elected Labor Government to deliver ongoing funding for the NCHA to ensure its operations for the next five years.
While no funding commitments were made for the redevelopment of Rosebud Hospital at a Federal Government level, the issue did feature heavily throughout the campaign. Ultimately though, this matter is a State Government responsibility.
As such, the Committee will work hard with local government next year to get a commitment on Rosebud Hospital from all major candidates in Nepean.
The headline federal election commitment for this region was the Government's $50 million towards Nepean Highway upgrades and the Revitalisation of Nepean Boulevard.
This budgeted commitment will transform Frankston, and bring to life the vision of Nepean Boulevard developed by Frankston City Council and influenced by the Committee since 2017.
On this project, we look forward to working with both levels of government, Frankston City Council and key stakeholders and seeing it become a reality.
The Opposition made funding pledges for both the improvement of the Stony Point line to Baxter and the Moorooduc to Mornington SafeLink missing path as part of Peninsula Trails.
These projects have been long advocated for by the Committee, and while they did not receive matching government funding pledges, there's no reason why progress can't be made in both policy areas. In fact, all candidates in Flinders provided statements of support for these key projects - and we hope that the government will look to work across the political aisle in Flinders to deliver on these commitments.
As the peak advocacy body for our region, we'll continue to represent the interests of our members in seeking to make the peninsula a great place to live, work and invest.
We look forward to working with our elected representatives, local government, and our members to get that done and influence a better peninsula.
