Richard Marles, Libby Coker, Darcy Dunstan announce funding

Cash is starting to be splashed across the region as a federal election date announcement looms.

Richard Marles. Picture: Christian Gilles / NewsWire.

Cash is starting to be splashed across the region as a federal election date announcement looms.

This weekend has been tipped by many in the know as the time that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will announce an election for April 12.

But any poll plans now sit in the eye of a storm, namely Cyclone Alfred up north.

Mr Albanese hasn’t shut the door on an announcement at the weekend, but there is a good chance it might delay it.

The uncertainty hasn’t slowed down local candidates, who are starting to splash cash in a bid to secure seats in the lower house.

Mr Albanese’s deputy, Corio MP Richard Marles, is the latest to pop up with an announcement, $5.7m for an RSL care facility.

Mr Marles officially announced on Friday that Vasey RSL Care in Bell Park had secured a Veteran Acute Housing Program grant under the capital works and specialist services streams.

Most of the funding, $4.6m, will go towards establishing a V Satellite in Geelong, to provide transitional accommodation and support services to veterans in need.

Vasey RSL Care said the centre would accommodate 10 individuals, each with a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, living area, and study space, while also offering a communal hub and outdoor spaces to foster connection and support.

A masterplan for the design will be developed in coming months. The other $1.1m is earmarked to employ specialist veteran housing and support co-ordinators.

Mr Marles said the “investment ensured that those who had served our country received the support they deserve”.

“The V Satellite will provide veterans in our region with a place to stay and access to specialist care to help them transition to stable, long-term housing,” he said.

Mr Marles is almost certain to retain Corio, which he has held since 2007.

His Liberal rival Darren Buller hasn’t been sighted since his campaign launch was overshadowed by a fake Facebook page and fundraising event involving Sam Newman that was concocted in an act of political skulduggery.

The funding announcement came a day after twin announcements from the major party candidates in Corangamite pledging money to help fix decommissioned netball courts at the Grovedale Netball Club.

Both incumbent Libby Coker and Liberal candidate Darcy Dunstan have made pledges around $1m to fix the issue, which had threatened to force the club from future competition.

Originally published as Richard Marles, Libby Coker, Darcy Dunstan announce funding