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​All hands on deck

30/6/2022

5 Comments

 
PictureWestern Port belongs to all Victorians - your vote can determine its future. Photo: Mark Farr (VicScreen)
By Neil Daly

I have to report that Matthew Guy MP doesn’t want my help to rebuild Victoria.
​

Neither he nor his parliamentary colleagues have replied to my latest email and it would seem they are not interested in the comments generated by my article A chat with Matt.

I don’t necessarily agree there is a need to “recover and rebuild Victoria” as Matthew Guy suggests, but even if I did agree, the point I was making in my previous article was that any attempt by the Opposition to develop its policy platform must include Western Port and its region.

Then again perhaps it’s time I faced up to reality. If I think my call for a Western Port Strategic Management Plan is going to make any difference when it comes to election time, I must be dreaming. The major parties and the Greens are not relying on seats in this region to tip the balance of power; this will happen in the metropolitan electorates, so why would they bother.

I was pondering on this while waiting for the V/Line bus. It was the Queen’s Birthday Monday holiday and as I watched the hundreds of motorists zipping along the Bass Highway, it reminded me this region is a long way from Spring Street.

Herein lies a problem. It seemed to me that many of the homeward bound may never consider that this region is under constant pressure to provide and sustain the “holiday lifestyle” they, quite possibly, take for granted. On the other hand I hoped I was wrong, and that my call in the article Back to the future asking Victorians to contact their state MPs and lobby them to introduce measures to preserve this region would happen.

Voters in this region alone cannot bring about change or help all MPs appreciate the significance of this region’s distinctive ecosystem, or thwart those seeking to abuse it for commercial gain. We need everyone’s support to ensure that Western Port becomes part of the political agenda, for its future depends on it.

Leaving the hazardous journey along the Monash freeway to the competent bus driver, I sat back and wondered if Matt had surreptitiously sent me a message on his Chat with Matt YouTube channel; I checked my mobile. Not one of the seven presentations to camera mentioned Western Port or the region – it seems my question has gone astray.

Speaking of disappointments, my football team lost that day – it was indeed a long journey back from the MCG, but it gave me time to consider the run-up to the election and the local candidates at this stage.

The Legislative Assembly electorates that take in the councils of Mornington Peninsula Shire, City of Casey, Cardinia Shire Council and Bass Coast Shire Council, are:
  • Nepean: held by Chris Brayne (Australian Labor Party). Sam Groth is the endorsed Liberal candidate.
  • Mornington: held by David Morris (Liberal). Chris Crewther will stand as the endorsed Liberal  candidate.
  • Hastings: held by Neale Burgess (Liberal). Briony Hutton will stand as the endorsed Liberal  candidate.
  • Bass: held by Jordan Crugnale (ALP). Aaron Brown is the endorsed Liberal candidate. Brett Tessari is the endorsed Nationals candidate. Jeni Jobe is standing as an Independent.

Chris Brayne and Neale Burgess acknowledged my earlier emails. David Morris was supportive of the Western Port Strategic Management Plan concept.

Jordan Crugnale, from the outset, has encouraged my advocacy for Western Port and within the bounds of her party’s policy, has shown she shares the concerns of those who want to preserve Western Port and its hinterland.          
             
Of the newly endorsed Liberal and Nationals candidates, Chris Crewther has indicated the issues relating to Western Port are pertinent to the Peninsula and the wider region. The others are still to respond.

Jeni Jobe says her policies are based on local issues, community values and strategic future planning.

Now on the last leg of my journey in the local bus from the Bass Highway to home, I thought of one last message.

All candidates across Victoria, thanks to the events demonstrated by the federal election, are on notice that the voters are no longer passive bystanders. They are: armed with facts and figures about climate change and renewable energy; aware of what needs to be done to manage our economy and preserve the environment; and no longer beholden to traditional voting patterns.

Makes you wonder how the candidates will handle this as they venture onto the hustings. They’ll need to be on their toes as they walk the “political plank”.

I hope you’ll be there to prod them and help them understand that a nature-based circular economy is the key to this region’s future.
5 Comments
Anne Heath Mennell
1/7/2022 03:46:42 pm

I'm in, Neil. I'm very good at 'prodding' as many folk will testify (looking at you, Geoff).
Politicians only have themselves to blame for the current political situation. Active, engaged voters are the beating heart of democracy and are now making their feelings felt.
I agree with you that focusing on politicians in the electorates around Western Port is probably a good strategy. I'd be hoping that, together, they would then be able to apply effective pressure on the metro area. We can only hope.
Please keep up your advocacy - you're helping build momentum for change, hopefully sooner rather than later.

Reply
Freeman David
1/7/2022 04:52:41 pm

Hi Neil
Your frustration is genuinely felt, having tried to get some useful/ constructive comment from ; Mathew Guy, Neil Mitchell, Tom Elliot and of course Paul Murray and also one of our local ploiticians ; the brick wall is full of more useful comment than any of these "influential personalities ". What is most disturbing is that no one seems to care or haven't the backbone to argue against any thing that they know is wrong and when this latest propsal to develop this general area to a holiday themed resort (the latest in a line of devastating schemes fromthe corupt Andrews goverment, Iwoder why
Ihave had no response from the liberal minded people I have approached and why the Victorian people are so weak and dumbnstruck and unable to come out of there cosy little shells.
I haveone more toapproach to make and that is to Current Affair to try and get some traction regarding Western Port Forrest.
That's off my chest, thought your article, as usual was very good, might just wake someone up let's hope so.
David

Reply
Muddy Feet
2/7/2022 04:04:59 pm

The political parties have all dropped the ball for the last time. Too busy towing the party line. Consistently breaking their oaths to serve the very people that pay them. It’s time to dissolve the party’s and encourage true independents (not teal) to rise up from our communities and put an end to this ridiculous hoax and restore our true line of authority. You cannot serve two masters, so the party masters must go, in order to restore our faith and confidence in the judiciary. They serve us! It seems from your article, you just dont matter to their precious little parties. Is that contempt? Insubordination? Or malfeasance? For years I have watched you bang your head against the political brick wall. If you were a property developer your would have been picked up in a helicopter and flown to Hamilton island for dinner at the expense of the public purse then given the key to the city with as much land as you can carry thrown in. Rise up as independent locals it’s our only chance.

Peace and love
Muddy Feet

Reply
Karen Taylor link
3/7/2022 04:17:32 pm

Hi Neil,
There are issues that need to be addressed, and change CAN be positive. What we need to move forward is a balanced and holistic perspective. This is sadly lacking and proposals are presented for developments with an immediate knee jerk response which is also holding the Peninsula back. A Big Vision is essential to ensure a sensitive strategic balance, between sustainable development and preservation of the environment.
I also understand recently the Mornington Shire has walked away from its previously ratified, net zero commitment?
So there is also a lack of real substance and accountability at the local level too. It is not just the State and Federal Parliament.
Perhaps "a story" in itself!
Where does the council "deliver" a local community voice?
How much is controlled by the current administration" Do councillors have influence, or are they impotent, and marginalised?

Reply
Meg
5/7/2022 10:03:34 pm

Geez Neil, I'm guessing that some people may hope that you'll just quietly fade away, give up and STOP bugging those poor politicians. You could spend all your energy concentrating on the footy instead! I mean, all you want to do is to have a chat! Poor Matt and Dan missing out on such an important conversation. Certainly a lost opportunity. What were they thinking? Them and other notable politicians could be in the front line in really listening to the voices of ordinary people, those who speak with concern, knowledge and a great deal of common sense.Voices that will hopefully continue to grow in number and volume. Our leaders could be part of something "great." Not just "big builds and jobs" but "big saves." A bright future, guaranteeing prosperity for humans and the environment. Win, win for all. If covid has taught us anything, surely it's a realisation that humanity and our connection to environment is in a very fragile state. A virus, fires, floods and other natural disasters have had devastating impacts on all of us. Instead, I continue to hear a lot of political "white noise." I wish someone in power would cut through all this background crap and see the obvious. We can start local and then expand further. Protect Westernport/ environment and "they" will come! Because at least then we will have a decent future to hand on to the people who come after us. Keep "stirring the pot" Neil. I'm so grateful for your articles.

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