Jeff Kennett: Why Dunkley is a battleground for middle Australia

The Dunkley by-election won’t change the political colour of the federal government, but it can send a clear message that middle-income earners can’t be held solely responsible for government failures.

From Monday next, the 19th of February, pre-polling starts for the by-election in the Victorian seat of Dunkley on Saturday, March 2.

Dunkley covers much of Frankston, Carrum, Skye, Sandhurst, Mt Eliza and parts of Langwarrin and Frankston North.

I lived in Frankston with my family in my younger years and attended Mt Eliza State School.

Later, as an adult with a young family we had a holiday home in Mt Eliza, behind Toorak College.

I have seen the totality of the area change considerably over time. For the better.

Both Frankston and Mt Eliza are now suburbs with a seaside flavour.

Frankston grew as a result of a lot of new arrivals from the United Kingdom. Their influence is still very obvious in the community.

I have two profound interests in the outcome of the Dunkley by-election.

Firstly, I am always excited when I see a person offering themselves for election, who in my opinion is not only of good personal values but has the experience; that I know who will actually be standing to represent and advance the people and community of the electorate, as opposed for reasons of personal ego.

Frankston Mayor Nathan Conroy is the sort of candidate we should be encouraging to stand for our parliaments, regardless of one’s personal politics.

Nathan Conroy is a young Irishman who came to Australia and settled in Frankston in 2019.

He married Steffie, a local girl from Carrum Downs, and together they have a young child.

Nathan very quickly immersed himself in local activities and then was elected to the Frankston Council in 2021. His council colleagues have been so impressed with his character and community efforts they have re-elected him three times as Mayor of the City.

Years ago, the Frankston Council used to be a bloodbath. Factions, individuals all working to their own agenda.

That Nathan has been charged by his colleagues to provide the city with stability, and delivering a forward agenda, speaks volumes for Nathan and what and how he will work for the constituents of Dunkley if elected to federal parliament on March 2.

He is the sort of candidate we should be encouraging to stand for our parliaments, regardless of one’s personal politics.

The second reason I am interested in the outcome of the Dunkley by-election is that so many of the constituents represent what I describe as middle-income Australians. They work hard, they are aspirational, many are tradies, many operate small businesses in the area and outside its boundaries.

Yet this shrinking group of Australians, middle-income earners, are being eaten alive by federal and the state government taxes and charges to the point that their lifestyle is having to be changed.

Federally, they keep changing the rules around superannuation. How can you plan for your future, retirement if the federal government keeps moving the goalposts?

Worse, the federal government intends to introduce a tax in 2025 on unrealised profits.

The details on how this tax will be applied have not been made clear, suffice to say Australia will be the only country in the world to introduce such a tax.

And who is it aimed at, middle income earners. In Victoria land tax bills are being sent out. Holiday houses around coastal areas are being sold. Families retired, no longer earning income, simply cannot afford this wealth tax.

For middle-income earners who run a business it is not just land tax, but payroll tax, energy, insurance and workers compensation costs that are contributing to thousands of Victorian businesses being forced to close.

There is little we can do other than send a message to governments, federal and state, about this continuing attack on middle income earners. The Dunkley by-election at least gives that community a chance to send a clear message.

The result will not change the political colour of the federal government, but it will send a clear message that middle-income earners, middle Australia, cannot alone be held responsible for government failures. Governments themselves must dramatically cut their costs and increase their efficiency.

How can you plan for your future, retirement if the federal government keeps moving the goalposts? Picture: Jake Nowakowski

So, the community of Dunkley has the rare double.

Electing a representative who has a track record of working for the local community in the most positive way.

Nathan Conroy a young Australian who at 31 as Mayor of Frankston is already providing leadership and opportunities for his community.

Secondly, sending a message to governments that middle-income earners, middle Australia, aspirational people in particular, have had a gutful of the level of taxes and charges they are being forced to pay.

For me the Dunkley by-election is important in the context of attracting good people with proven experience and commitment to offer themselves for parliamentary service and sending a message to lazy governments.

Stop this incessant taxing of middle Australia.

Have a good day.

Jeff Kennett is a former Victorian premier