Q&A: Rochelle Halstead, Liberal

EXPERIENCE

1. Tell us a little about yourself. Where did you grow up, where do you live now, and what brought you to the Bass electorate?

I grew up on the beaches in Perth, Western Australia, and moved to Melbourne for my Dad’s work (an officer in the ADF) when I was 16 years old. Melbourne was very different to Perth, and I hold wonderful memories of holidays in the Keiwa Valley where my family owns and runs a Dairy Farm, with trips to Falls Creek in the snow season.  I moved to the Bass Electorate with my second husband where I found peace after the tragic loss of my first husband. Bass is more than just a home; it’s a place of healing for me where I have been surrounded by a community that truly cares.

2. What work have you done before entering politics?

I began my working life as a hairdresser before moving into real estate, where I quickly learned how legislation affects investors and local communities. At 26, with no political background, I secured a position in an electorate office supporting both a Member of the Legislative Assembly and a Member of the Legislative Council. My first elected role was with Frankston City Council in 2002, and I was elected Mayor in 2004.  I stepped away from politics when my first husband was diagnosed with a rare cancer, focusing on my family and raising my two children. After settling in Bass with my second husband, we owned and managed a hospitality business in Tooradin before I returned to public service as a Bass Coast Councillor in 2020. I served as Deputy Mayor in 2023 and 2024, and as Mayor in 2024 and 2025. As a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, I bring strong governance, risk, strategy and fiduciary expertise to my work.

3. What experience or qualities would you bring to the job of being the MP for Bass? 

I would bring a deep understanding of local government, community service and the importance of listening to people before making decisions. Through my time as a Councillor, Deputy Mayor and Mayor, I have worked across complex issues including planning, infrastructure, community wellbeing, environmental protection and responsible financial management.  The experience of running a small business gives me real life understanding of the pressures faced by our business community on a daily basis.

My life experience has also shaped the way I lead.  I understand loss, resilience, family responsibilities and the need for strong communities that support people through difficult times.  I would bring compassion, common sense and a genuine commitment to representing the whole Bass electorate – from our growing suburbs and farming communities to our coastal towns and Phillip Island.  Above all I would work hard, listen carefully and put the interests of Bass first.

POLITICAL 

4. Have you been a candidate in state or federal elections before? If yes, please give details. 

Yes, I stood for the seat of Frankston in the 2006 Victorian Election and although we had a swing toward us, it wasn’t enough to secure the seat.

I applied for pre-selection with the Liberal Party again in 2010 before withdrawing from the race following my first husband’s diagnosis. The Liberal Party went on to win the seat and I stepped away from politics all together to focus on raising my two children.

5. When did you join your party and why?

I rejoined the Liberal Party in 2025 after being approached to stand for Bass. Serving on Bass Coast Council has been an honour, but increasingly frustrating as legislative changes have stripped local communities of their voice. Over the past decade, councils have been sidelined while waste, mismanagement and corruption have flourished. Public infrastructure is crumbling, essential services lag behind population growth, and regional areas are left fighting for basic investment. Victoria’s rising debt, inner‑city spending priorities and lack of incentives for business have driven jobs and confidence away from the state. I can no longer watch regional communities bear the consequences of poor governance. I am standing for Bass because our region deserves representation that understands its challenges, respects its people and demands accountability. Bass is growing, diverse and vital to Victoria’s future - and it’s time its needs were taken seriously.

6. Why did you decide to stand for Parliament at this election? 

I decided to stand for Parliament because I know the Bass Electorate deeply. For seven years I have served our community as a Councillor, Deputy Mayor and Mayor, working directly with residents, businesses and local organisations. I’ve owned and managed a small business in Bass, supported local sporting clubs through sponsorship, and built strong relationships across our towns and communities.  Through this work, I’ve seen both the strengths of Bass and the challenges created when state‑level decisions overlook regional needs. I’m standing because our community deserves a representative who understands its realities, listens to its people and is prepared to fight for fair investment, better services and a genuine local voice. My commitment to Bass is long‑standing, and I want to bring that experience and connection to Parliament to deliver the outcomes our region has been missing.

7. What is the single major issue for you at this election?

There isn’t a single major issue for me at this election - there is a long list, and they are all interconnected. After seven years serving the Bass community, I’ve seen firsthand how state‑level decisions have weakened local voice, slowed essential infrastructure investment, and left rapidly growing regional areas struggling to keep up. Cost‑of‑living pressures, declining confidence in government, crumbling public assets, workforce shortages, and the erosion of local decision‑making all sit at the heart of what people raise with me every day. For me, the major issue is that Bass - and regional Victoria more broadly - has been consistently overlooked. This election is about restoring fairness, accountability and proper investment so our communities can thrive. My focus is on addressing the full picture, not pretending it comes down to just one problem.

8. Which three of your party’s policies do you believe will most benefit people in the Bass electorate? 

The Liberal Party’s Fair Share Guarantee Bass Coast is one of the fastest‑growing regions in Victoria, yet consistently underfunded. The Fair Share Guarantee - requiring at least 25% of all new state infrastructure spending to go to regional Victoria - directly benefits Bass. It means fairer investment in roads, health services, schools, transport and community infrastructure that our growing population urgently needs.

Restoring Local Voice and Community Decision‑Making After years of legislative changes that weakened councils, the Liberal commitment to strengthening local government and returning planning influence to communities is critical. Bass residents want decisions made closer to home, not imposed from Spring Street.

Rebuilding Confidence in the Economy and Supporting Small Business Policies focused on reducing debt, encouraging business investment and removing barriers to growth will help local employers, attract new industries and support jobs across Bass. As a former small‑business owner, I know how important this is for our region’s future.

9. The Bass electorate includes areas of Melbourne’s outer suburban fringe through farming country to coastal towns and Phillip Island. How would you make sure the very different interests of all these communities are heard and represented?

The Bass electorate is incredibly diverse - from Melbourne’s outer suburban fringe, through rich farming country, to our coastal towns and Phillip Island. I’ve spent seven years working across all of these communities as a Councillor, Deputy Mayor and Mayor, and I know that each area has different priorities, pressures and expectations.  The key to representing Bass effectively is genuine presence and genuine listening. I make sure every part of the electorate is heard by being on the ground, meeting people where they are, and maintaining strong relationships with local organisations, businesses, farmers, community groups and residents. My background in small business, community sport and local government means I’ve worked with people from every corner of Bass. I don’t believe in a one‑size‑fits‑all approach. I believe in understanding each community’s needs and advocating for them directly and consistently in Parliament.

10. This electorate has some of Victoria's most significant coastal areas, wetlands, woodlands and wildlife habitat. How do you see the balance between protecting the environment and accommodating housing, industry, agriculture and population growth?

Protecting these assets is non‑negotiable. But Bass is also one of the fastest‑growing regions in the state, with increasing demand for housing, industry, agriculture and essential infrastructure. The challenge is not choosing one over the other - it’s ensuring they coexist responsibly.  My approach is to make decisions based on evidence, long‑term planning and genuine community input. Sensitive environmental areas must be protected, restored and managed carefully, while growth should be directed to locations that can support it without damaging the natural assets that define our region. Good planning, strong environmental standards, and proper investment in infrastructure allow us to accommodate population growth while safeguarding the ecosystems that make Bass unique.  I believe Bass can grow and prosper without losing what makes it special - but only if we get the balance right and keep the environment at the centre of our decision‑making.

VALUES 

11. Political decisions often involve competing interests. What personal values would guide your decision making?

My decision‑making is guided by values shaped through a lifetime of real work, real community service and real challenges. Integrity is at the centre of everything I do - being honest, transparent and accountable, especially when decisions are difficult. Community is another core value. I’ve spent years listening to people across Bass, and I believe decisions must reflect their needs, not political convenience.  I’m also guided by fairness. Whether in small business, local government or family life, I’ve seen the consequences when systems fail people. I believe everyone deserves fair access to services, infrastructure and opportunity. Responsibility matters too - making decisions based on evidence, long‑term thinking and good governance, not short‑term politics.  Finally, resilience and compassion shape how I lead. My personal experiences have taught me to stay steady in adversity and to always consider the human impact of political decisions.

12. Is there something you believe in strongly enough to stand up for, even when it might be unpopular with voters, or go against your party platform? 

I believe in standing up for communities when their voices are ignored. After years in local government, I’ve seen the consequences when decisions are made far from the people they affect. If a policy or proposal undermines community voice, weakens local decision‑making, or threatens the long‑term wellbeing of Bass, I will speak up - even if it’s unpopular.

I also believe strongly in integrity and responsible governance. Waste, mismanagement and poor planning hurt real people, and I won’t support decisions that compromise transparency or accountability. My guiding principle is simple: I will always put the interests of the Bass community first. That means listening, being honest about the impacts of decisions, and having the courage to say no when something isn’t right.  Leadership isn’t about avoiding difficult positions - it’s about taking them when they matter.

PERSONAL 

13. What do you like most about living in the Bass electorate? 

What I love most about living in the Bass electorate is the strength of its community. Whether it’s our coastal towns, farming districts or suburban fringe, people here look out for one another. There’s a genuine sense of belonging, resilience and pride that you don’t find everywhere. Bass is also one of the most beautiful parts of Victoria - from Phillip Island’s coastline and wildlife to our wetlands, woodlands and rural landscapes. It’s a place where natural beauty and community spirit come together. I’ve lived, worked and raised my family here, supported local sporting clubs, run a small business and served in local government. That deep connection is what makes Bass feel like home. It’s the people, the environment and the shared commitment to making our region better that I value most.

14. Where do you take visitors on their first visit to our region?

We’re genuinely spoilt for choice in the Bass electorate. I always start by giving visitors a sense of our landscape - the rolling hills and farming country that create such a welcoming, rural feel. From there, our beautiful beaches and coastline speak for themselves, and our wildlife experiences are second to none, especially on Phillip Island.  For those who love excitement, the Grand Prix circuit offers a thrill you won’t find anywhere else in regional Victoria. Our woodlands and wetlands showcase the quieter, natural side of Bass, and we’re fortunate to have incredible hospitality venues throughout the region. Whether it’s walking, cycling, exploring nature or enjoying great local food, there’s something here that makes every visit memorable.

15. Do you have a pet project that you hope to achieve as the MP for Bass?

If I am elected, my focus will be on delivering long‑overdue investment in the community infrastructure our region desperately needs. Our sporting clubs are bursting at the seams, our facilities are stretched, and our growing population deserves modern, accessible spaces that support health, connection and community wellbeing.  I am equally committed to protecting our natural environment and wildlife. Bass is home to some of Victoria’s most significant coastal and ecological areas, and safeguarding these assets must sit alongside responsible growth and development.  Finally, I want to see real progress in tertiary education opportunities. Too many young people leave Bass because pathways simply don’t exist locally. Creating accessible vocational and tertiary options would strengthen our workforce, support families and give young people the chance to build their future close to home.  These aren’t side projects - they are essential foundations for a stronger, fairer Bass.

16. If you weren’t campaigning, what would you rather be doing on a Sunday morning?

On a Sunday morning, if I wasn’t campaigning, I’d be spending time with family and friends. Those moments of connection - sharing a coffee, catching up, enjoying the slower pace - are what keep me grounded. Community has always been at the centre of my life, and for me that starts with the people closest to me.