Rusted-on Liberal voters in Mornington have their say

It’s been a Liberal stronghold for 30 years but voters in one of the Mornington Peninsula’s bluest booths are wavering.

Main St, Mornington, near one of the bluest booths in Flinders. Picture: supplied

Rusted on Liberal voters in Flinders say the upcoming federal election will be “like no other” and change is in the air.

The Leader last week spoke to voters in Main St, Mornington, not far from one of the region’s bluest polling booths in the electorate — St Johns Uniting Church in Barkly St.

The booth recorded a 54 per cent Liberal vote at the 2019 federal election which saw Greg Hunt hold the seat despite a strong challenge from former Liberal Julia Banks who ran as an independent.

The 2019 election saw Mr Hunt’s margin narrow from 7 per cent to 5.6 per cent.

Mr Hunt is not running in 2022 and has instead thrown his support behind Liberal candidate Zoe McKenzie.

Voters said while they believed Mr Hunt had served the electorate well they weren’t ready to commit to Ms McKenzie.

Even a Mornington couple who have always voted Liberal and a granddaughter named Zoe Maczenzie were hesitant.

“I’m a lifetime Liberal voter, but this year is different,” Trudi Mackenzie said.

“I’m really going to have to study the options before deciding.

“It won’t be a simple matter of ticking the blue box this time.”

Mrs Mackenzie was pleased to see so many women nominating for Flinders, but worried some would not be “tough enough” for politics.

“We’ve all seen recently what happens to women in politics. There’s a lot of bullying that goes on, in all sides,” she said.

Her husband David Mackenzie was also yet to decide who he would support.

“We moved to Mornington from Frankston about two and half years ago so we’re not as politically savvy about the peninsula as we would like to be yet,” he said.

Mornington mum Sally said she would be voting for change.

“I have always voted Liberal, but not this year,” she said.

“This one is like no other. Like a lot of people I’m tired of the status quo and I want to use my vote to send a message.

“I don’t know who will get it but it won’t be Liberal or Labor.”

Former Mornington Peninsula mayor Despi OConnor kicked off her campaign for Flinders in December. Picture: supplied

Another Liberal supporter Kylie Dexter, of Mornington, feared the Coalition was not strong enough on climate action.

“I’m not convinced Labor is either, to be honest,” she said.

“It might be time for change, a vote for an independent.”

Mornington man Scott was also concerned about climate action, but said the issue had become “politicised”.

“I worry about the world we are leaving our children and grandchildren,” he said.

“Having said that I think Australian action doesn’t mean much in the face of huge emissions coming from China and developing countries.

“Politicians tell us what we want to hear about climate action, but it’s all rhetoric.”

Another local Ann described herself as a Labor voter but was “still waiting to hear” who was representing the ALP in Flinders.

Labor candidate for Flinder Surbhi Snowball. Picture: supplied

Surbhi Snowball is the Labor candidate for the seat.

“I haven’t received any information yet,” Ann said.

“I have heard a lot about one of the independents, Despi O’Connor, though.

James was also a fan of the former Mornington Peninsula mayor.

“Despi hit the ground running early. She got the Climate 200 backing and has already been campaigning hard,” he said.

“Climate action is my number one concern. I have always steered away from voting independent in the past because I worry that individuals don’t have any real power in Canberra and always end up siding with one of the major parties.

“But it might be time to take a risk.”

Others to nominate for Flinders include Colin Lane (Greens), Sarah Russell (independent, endorsed by Voices of Mornington Peninsula), Cyndi Marr, (Pauline Hanson’s One Nation) and Chrysten Abraham (Liberty and Democracy Party).

Originally published as Rusted-on Liberal voters in Mornington have their say