Strong Bipartisan Support for Committee’s Expansion
The Committee for Greater Frankston has merged with the Committee for Mornington Peninsula – joining forces to become the peak advocacy body for the region.
The Committee for Frankston & Mornington Peninsula will advocate for investment in our region which helps make it a better place to live, work and invest. It will continue to do so in a non-partisan and collaborative manner with all sides of politics and all levels of government.
The Committee will hold regular monthly meetings and briefings for members, as well as advocating directly with key decision makers to ensure our beautiful part of Melbourne gets the support and attention it deserves.
The Committee will continue to work collaboratively with local government and our Members of Parliament on shared advocacy priorities
for Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula.
CEO of Committee for Frankston & Mornington Peninsula, Josh Sinclair, said the positive move will make our region's voice even louder.
“Working together as one region with a united voice will significantly improve our advocacy efforts.”
“The Committee is a vehicle for industry, community leaders, and not-for-profits to collaborate together and advocate for more Government investment, funding, and policy outcomes that make our region a better place to live, work and invest.”
“It’s an exciting time for Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula – and we want to help shape what this region looks like in the medium to long term."
Josh Sinclair
CEO - Committee for Frankston & Mornington Peninsula
The merger unites the former Committee for Greater Frankston, led by Chair Rod Evenden, and Committee for Mornington Peninsula,
led by Chair Shannon Smit.
President of the Committee for Frankston & Mornington Peninsula, Shannon Smit, said the merger will be transformative for the Peninsula.
“As the President of the newly merged Committee for Frankston & Mornington Peninsula, I am thrilled about this transformative
merger. With bi-partisan support and collaboration with all levels of government, we will champion vital investment, funding, and
policy outcomes that enhance the quality of life and foster economic growth in our region."
Shannon Smit
President- Committee for Frankston & Mornington Peninsula
Vice President, Rod Evenden, believes the Committee will be the leading advocacy voice on the Peninsula.
“The Committee will advocate for further investment, funding, and positive policy outcomes that improve Frankston and the
Mornington Peninsula. I am genuinely excited about the possibilities ahead and look forward to building a brighter future together."
Rod Evenden
Vice President - Committee for Frankston & Mornington Peninsula
The Committee is appreciative of the overwhelming support it has received from our membership and Members of Parliament. The positive
feedback from our MP's reflects their commitment to our membership base and our community.
In Canberra, the Committee looks forward to collaborating with Federal Liberal Member for Flinders, Zoe McKenzie, and Federal Labor Member for Dunkley, Peta Murphy.
Zoe McKenzie believes the inclusion of Frankston will ensure our arguments as a region are more powerful.
“This is terrific news, ensuring that the advocacy of the Committee will cover the whole Mornington Peninsula, from its gateway,
Frankston, down to Point Nepean National Park. The Committee has been the sole voice for economic and industrial interests, from tourism,
through to health, education, construction and technology. This brings so much more fire-power to the argument, with all three levels of
government.”
Zoe McKenzie
Federal Liberal Member for Flinders
Peta Murphy will continue to work with the Committee to highlight opportunities for the Commonwealth to invest in Frankston and on the
Peninsula.
“I look forward to working with the Committee for Frankston & Mornington Peninsula to showcase the amazing opportunities our region
has to offer.”
Peta Murphy
Federal Labor Member for Dunkley
Additionally, the united and collective efforts of Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula will improve our advocacy efforts on Spring
Street at a Victorian Government level.
The State Labor Member for Frankston, Paul Edbrooke, believes the merger will give Frankston more strength in its arguments around the decision-making table.
"I look forward to the new combined Committee for Frankston & Mornington Peninsula being a force multiplier in delivering for
our amazing community.”
Paul Edbrooke
State Labor Member for Frankston
Meanwhile, the State Liberal Member for Mornington, Chris Crewther, suggests issues on the Peninsula and within Frankston constantly
overlap, so a combined and stronger Committee makes sense.
“I’ve worked closely with both the Committee for Greater Frankston and the Committee for Mornington Peninsula. Both are important as
local economic development advocacy bodies, being political and independent of any level of government, in fighting for our local needs. A
merged Committee will have even more strength, particularly given the needs across Frankston City Council and the Peninsula often
overlap, such as the extension of metro rail from Frankston”.
Chris Crewther
State Liberal Member for Mornington
In Western Port, the Committee remains strong in its support for the rezoning of surplus port land in Hastings to support jobs and further
economic growth.
The State Labor Member for Hastings, Paul Mercurio AM, is positive about what industry, community and government can deliver for Western Port with a collective and united advocacy voice.
“I am excited to see what the merger of the Committee for Greater Frankston and the Committee for Mornington Peninsula will be
able to achieve for both areas. The possibilities are enormous and I look forward to lending my voice and support to the Committee to
advocate for the electorate of Hastings.”
Paul Mercurio AM
State Labor Member for Hastings
On the Southern Peninsula, State Liberal Member for Nepean, Sam Groth, believes the uniqueness of the Mornington Peninsula requires a
powerful voice in the corridors of Parliament.
“I welcome the news that the Committee for Greater Frankston and the Committee for Mornington Peninsula will be merging. These two
organisations have done enormous work ensuring that their regions have been championed and advocated for. I have no doubt that together,
they will provide an even louder and stronger voice for our unique local community.”
Sam Groth
State Liberal Member for Nepean
Additionally, the Committee will seek to work closely with our Upper House Members of Parliament in Eastern Victoria.
Labor Member for Eastern Victoria, Tom McIntosh, said the merger makes sense on a political, economic and geographic level.
"Frankston and the Peninsula are linked socially and economically and it makes sense for the area to speak together with a louder
voice. I'll continue to work closely with the combined group."
Tom McIntosh
State Labor Member for Eastern Victoria
The Committee will develop its advocacy goals over coming months in consultation with its members, stakeholders, and community
representatives. The combined Committee will also improve our ability to attract the biggest organisations in our region, and have those key
players on the Peninsula join our advocacy efforts.
In September, we look forward to welcoming the Former Member for Dunkley and Founder of Committee for Mornington Peninsula, Bruce Billson, to our Members Breakfast in Mornington. To see what other events we have coming up, click here.
To join the Committee, click here. To view our Board, click here.
The Committee looks forward to collaborating with our membership and all levels of government to make our region a better place to
live, work and invest.
08/08/23 MEDIA RELEASE - Available
here.
