Liberal candidate Darcy Dunstan a ‘strong advocate’ for women in combat

As Richard Marles and his Coalition counterpart trade barbs on whether women should be able to serve in combat roles for Australia’s military, local Liberal candidate Darcy Dunstan has had his say.

Liberal candidate for Corangamite Darcy Dunstan is a former SAS soldier. Picture: Supplied.

Liberal candidate for Corangamite and former SAS soldier Darcy Dunstan says he fully supports women serving in combat roles for the Australian Defence Force.

Mr Dunstan clarified his stance soon after Coalition defence spokesman Andrew Hastie, also an-SAS soldier, faced intense questioning on Wednesday regarding comments he made in 2018 when he said “the DNA of a close combat unit is best-preserved if it is exclusively male”.

Mr Dunstan has leveraged his military experience during the campaign, with his “Tradie. Soldier. Dad.” signs ubiquitous across the electorate.

“Darcy Dunstan is a strong advocate for women in combat roles,” a Liberal spokesman said.

“Darcy served with women during his decade in the SAS, and remains in contact with many of them to this day.”

Mr Hastie, who is fighting to retain his Western Australian seat of Canning, acknowledged his previous comments, but added he now believed that anyone able to “meet the standard” should be allowed to serve in a combat role, regardless of gender.

“I am not going to resile from what I have said in the past,” he told reporters.

“I said what I said but the thing that the Australian people need to know, under a Dutton-led Coalition government, we will have a policy that is open to all Australians for combat roles. Nothing is changing.”

Andrew Hastie flanked by Opposition leader Peter Dutton on Wednesday. Picture: Richard Dobson / NewsWire.

Defence Minister and Corio MP Richard Marles said Mr Hastie had “doubled down on his views”.

“The only conclusion that Australia can draw is that Andrew Hastie’s personal conviction is that women should not serve in combat roles,” he said.

“Now there are 460 women today who have met the qualifications to serve in combat roles and Andrew Hastie’s personal view is that those women should not be allowed to continue their role because they are women.

“Now he is hiding behind the idea that this is not the policy position of the Coalition.”

Ben Britton was disendorsed as Liberal candidate for Whitlam earlier this month after it emerged he had said women should not serve in combat roles.

He also blamed “diversity and equity quotas, Marxist ideology and woke ideologies” for weakening Australia’s defence.

Opposition treasury spokesman Angus Taylor joined Mr Dunstan on Wednesday afternoon at the Ryrie St pre-poll centre and the pair later held a “politics in the pub” event at the Eureka Hotel.

Coalition frontbencher Angus Taylor with Corangamite candidate Darcy Dunstan at pre-poll on Wednesday. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Taylor addressed a Rural Press Club event in Geelong on Thursday morning where he lauded praise on Mr Dunstan.

“We’ve got an extraordinary candidate, really distinctive, the sort of person who’s come from outside of politics who I think we need in the parliament,” he said.

An exit poll of 200 Corangamite voters on Tuesday and Wednesday found Mr Dunstan receiving 50 per cent of the primary vote despite incumbent Labor MP Libby Coker being a red-hot favourite to retain the seat she has held since 2019.

Cash for bike path as councils continue to explore options

The Liberal Party has put $2m on the table for a dedicated bike path along an increasingly busy stretch of road in Geelong’s fast growing southern suburbs.

Corangamite candidate Darcy Dunstan said the Coalition would invest the money for a mostly off-road 7.5km path along Horseshoe Bend Rd, from South Beach Rd in Torquay North to Warralily Blvd in Armstrong Creek.

Mr Dunstan announced the election commitment on Monday morning alongside Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj.

“I’ve heard from lots of people who cycle along Horseshoe Bend Rd that this stretch of road can be dangerous for even the most experienced riders,” Mr Dunstan said.

Liberal candidate for Corangamite Darcy Dunstan, pictured with Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj, has committed funding for a dedicated bike path from Torquay to Armstrong Creek. Picture: Alison Wynd.

The funding is dependent on the Coalition forming government, while the Surf Coast Shire and City of Greater Geelong would also have to kick in approximately $600,000 to make the project a reality.

The Liberal Party has committed funding for a bike path along Horseshoe Bend Rd. Source: Google Maps.

Both councils received $30,000 from the Transport Accident Commission last year to develop multiple safe cycling options between Geelong and Torquay, including concept plans and high level costings for each option.

A Geelong council web page states that a six-week community engagement period ended in early February and potential options were to be released publicly in March, something that has not yet occurred.

The same web page contains location-specific feedback from cyclists, some of whom highlighted current dangers in the area earmarked for funding by Mr Dunstan.

A key concern was the “extremely dangerous” intersection at Horseshoe Bend and Lower Duneed roads.

“The intersection needs a roundabout to slow traffic or traffic lights,” Cycling Geelong secretary Ian Campbell said.

“Traffic volumes from the Ring Road travelling to Barwon Heads are currently travelling 100km/h and pose a major risk of collision with vehicles and cyclists travelling north and south on Horseshoe Bend Rd.

“Horseshoe Bend Rd is a preferred route to and from Torquay due to fast traffic on the Surf Coast Highway …(but the) current surface of Horseshoe Bend Rd, the lack of adequate verge width and lack of a dedicated cycle path make the road unsafe for cycling.”

Geelong and Surf Coast councils were contacted for comment.

No deal: Marles rules out collaboration with Greens

The Deputy Prime Minister has ruled out any potential deal with the Greens to form minority government, with a Geelong-based senator saying the claim “beggars belief”.

Speaking at the Geelong Chamber of Commerce’s business forum, Labor’s Richard Marles and Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson made their respective pitches for the region ahead of the May 3 election.

During the spirited conversation, Mr Marles ruled out cutting a deal with the Greens, a comment that drew the ire of Ms Henderson.

“It beggars belief that Richard would say there’s no deal with the Greens,” she said.

“We have quite an extreme left (wing) government at the moment, I mean, Anthony Albanese is no Hawke.

Richard Marles and Sarah Henderson both spoke at Geelong's Chamber of Commerce leader's forum ahead of the federal election. Photo: Lauren Naree Photography

“Richard sits on the right of the Labor Party, the right and the left are like different parties, the prime minister sits on the left, and those deals with the left are really frightening, the Greens agenda is really frightening.

“This would be a very different nation if there was a Labor, Greens, Teals minority government.”

The comments drew a chuckle from Mr Marles.

Ms Henderson, who still has three years left to run of her senate term, said the region had been left behind by the Albanese government.

“In three years, very little has happened to advance our region,” she said.

The forum was well attended by Geelong’s business leaders. Photo: Lauren Naree Photography

“The Albanese government’s reckless economic management and cost of living crisis has caused so much damage, made worse, of course, by the disastrous Allan Labor government, which is sending Victoria broke.

“Labor has overseen nearly 30,000 business insolvencies, this is a record, most of them small businesses.

“So many families, including many in our region, can barely put food on the table or pay power bills.”

Mr Marles rebuked these claims, stating his government had done, and would do, much for Geelong and the country at large.

“We will have the biggest investment in Medicare in its 40-year history, such that we will have nine out of 10 visits to a GP bulk billed, which is profoundly important proposition or Geelong’s north,” he said.

Chamber chief executive Jeremy Crawford hosted the forum. Photo: Lauren Naree Photography

“We are making sure we are properly funding our schools, the completion of Gonski, which originated under the Gillard government, which has seen a $16.5bn deal between the federal government and the states.

“A historic legacy, really, in terms of needs based funding, which will dramatically change the funding for schools like Northern Bay or Whittington Primary, and unlocks opportunities and the potential for so many people in Geelong’s north.”

The forum was hosted by Chamber of Commerce chief Jeremy Crawford, with conversation moderated by founder and director of Banksia Strategic Partners Steve Michelson.

Palmer picks Geelong candidate as full list of names drop

Clive Palmer’s new political party have selected a candidate for a Geelong electorate, as the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) reveal the full list of candidates for the upcoming 2025 election.

Ex-military man James Jackson will run for the Trumpet of Patriots party, standing in the seat of Corangamite.

Trumpet of Patriots, the successor to Mr Palmer’s United Australia Party, openly parrots the policies of US president Donald Trump.

Mr Jackson said “Trump-like policies work”.

“We must focus on strong borders, economic freedom, and ensuring Australians have the opportunities and security they deserve,” Mr Jackson said.

Trumpet of Patriots candidate James Jackson.

“My resolve to Make Australia Great Again comes from understanding what true freedom means.

“It’s time for leadership that puts Australians first and delivers real results.”

According to the party, Mr Jackson has been deployed three times with the Australian Army.

It comes as the AEC officially revealed the full list of candidates and their ballot positions for the upcoming election,

The announcements were made at a public events across Australia at midday on Friday.

The ball involved blindfolds, numbered balls and what is effectively a double-randomised ‘bingo’ system to keep the process fair.

Being on top of the ballot is seen as beneficial due to donkey votes, where voters, out of laziness or protest, will number the boxes top to bottom.

One Nation newcomer Adam Helman will top the ballot in Corio, while ex-council candidate and Voices for Corangamite independent Kate Lockhart will for Corangamite.

Interestingly, Wannon’s strong independent challenger Alex Dyson has drawn top spot in Wannon, with incumbent MP Dan Tehan seventh.

For the full list, see below.

Federal election: Full list of candidates in Geelong region

The proportion of people voting early has grown significantly in recent elections.

Less than a quarter of voters (23.5 per cent) cast their ballot ahead of the July 2 federal election day in 2016.

Fast forward to 2022 and that number had jumped to 37 per cent.

Taking into account both pre-poll and postal votes, more than half of electors at the 2022 election and 2023 Voice referendum had voted prior to polling day.

So for those wanting to get in early, we’ve compiled a list of all the locations you can vote ahead of the May 3 election.

Early voting commences April 22 and as a general rule, each location is open weekdays from 8.30am to 5.30pm, and 9am to 4pm on Saturday April 26.

Colac: 100 Dennis St (Colac Scout Group)

Drysdale: 47-55 Collins St (St James’ Hall)

Geelong: 40-48 Ryrie St

Lara: 9-11 Waverley Rd (Lara Community Centre)

Norlane: 40 The Boulevard (Corio Spanish Club)

Ocean Grove: 123-137 The Avenue (Ocean Grove Memorial Reserve Pavilion)

Torquay: 20 Cylinders Drive

Liberal candidate yet to confirm for Corangamite community forum

Federal election candidates in the seats of Corangamite and Corio are unlikely to face off in a head-to-head debate ahead of polling day despite the best efforts of local organisations.

A forum for Corangamite candidates this Thursday night will feature Labor incumbent Libby Coker, as well as the Greens’ Mitch Pope, independent Kate Lockhart, and Paul Barker from the Libertarian Party, but Liberal candidate Darcy Dunstan is a notable absentee.

Then on Monday, the Geelong Chamber of Commerce is hosting a breakfast event where attendees will hear from Corio MP Richard Marles and Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson.

Sally Fisher from the Real Deal Geelong alliance that is hosting the Thursday forum said Mr Dunstan’s invitation stood and she remained hopeful he would be a last-minute inclusion.

“This forum is about putting real stories front and centre, and holding our future representatives accountable to deliver real solutions,” Ms Fisher said.

“This forum gives everyday residents a chance to speak up and provide evidence-based solutions to our future leaders to create a fairer, more affordable Australia for all.”

Founded in 2021, Real Deal Geelong is a coalition of community organisations, religious groups and unions.

Darcy Dunstan has not confirmed his participation in a community forum.

Mr Dunstan, who was contacted for comment, announced on Tuesday that a Liberal government if elected would invest $1.3m to improve mobile coverage in Drysdale, Curlewis and Armstrong Creek.

“Residents and businesses have been telling me about how unreliable our local connectivity is,” he said.

“This project will mean that families, schools, businesses, health services and others will all be able to rely on better mobile coverage.”

Meanwhile, John De Lorenzo has thrown his hat in the ring as an independent candidate in Corio, where he will come up against Mr Marles, Liberal candidate Darren Buller, the Greens’ Emilie Flynn, and Socialist Alliance’s Sarah Hathway.

John De Lorenzo is running as an independent in the federal seat of Corio. Picture: Supplied.

Mr De Lorenzo is operations manager for wood fibre processor and exporter Midway Limited, and a former chair of Colac Area Health.

He said he wanted politicians to focus on problem-solving, not ideology, building up industries and communities, and reworking government to make it a servant of the people, not their master.

“I can win the seat with 20 per cent of the vote – that is my goal,” he said.

“With 20 per cent of the vote, the preferences of other candidates will take me past the Liberal candidate, and then Liberal preferences will then take me over the line.”

Candidates across all electorates have until midday Thursday to nominate.

The Australian Electoral Commission will formally announce candidates and determine the ballot order on Friday.

Marles pledges $4m for struggling GFL club’s facilities

Corio MP Richard Marles has pledged $4m for a struggling GFNL club in Geelong’s north following a summer of uncertainty.

At an event on Saturday, Mr Marles announced a re-elected Labor government would provide $4m for “critical” upgrades at the home of North Shore’s football, netball and cricket clubs at Windsor Park in Norlane.

The commitment, just weeks out from the May 3 federal election, would deliver lighting for netball courts, new cricket practice nets, improvements to the main pavilion, vehicle and pedestrian access, and more.

Mr Marles made the announcement at the club’s season launch.

“I have been part of many announcements in various parts of the country recently, but none mean as much to me as this one,” he said.

Richard Marles was at North Shore’s home ground on Saturday to announce $4m in funding for the club’s facilities if Labor is re-elected at the federal election.

“This is transforming a community which is so central to the town in which I live, but also central to the people that I represent.

“This announcement is very much the achievement of the North Shore Football and Netball Club, but also the cricket club.

“This investment is a nod to North Shore’s rich history in Geelong and echoes the confidence I have in their future.

“I wish them all the best in netball and footy – this season, and for next summer, in terms of cricket.”

The funding comes on top of announcements from Geelong council and the state government to deliver female-friendly change rooms.

AFL Barwon last month warned North Shore that it was planning to proceed without the club in season 2025 due to low registration numbers.

However, it later confirmed the club would be allowed to compete this year.

Introducing the 2025 election tracker

Election season is well and truly underway.

Names are being called, doors are being knocked, and most importantly, cash is being splashed.

With announcements coming in thick and fast, it can be a hassle to keep on top of what’s going on in your electorate.

That’s why the Geelong Advertiser is pleased to reveal its 2025 federal election “Cash Splash Tracker”.

The handy tool tracks the two major parties funding announcements in both Corangamite and Corio, so you know how much they’re promising, and what it’s going towards.

The tracker includes all funding announcements going back to March 1, and will be updated constantly up until the May 3 election.

Anam Cara House to get $2.7m bedroom boost if Liberals form government

Anam Cara House chair Diana Taylor at the Highton facility. Picture: Brad Fleet

A Geelong end of life facility will get the funds it needs to deliver eight additional palliative care beds if the Liberal Party forms government, as new research shows softening support for the Coalition across the region.

Darcy Dunstan, the Liberal candidate in Corangamite, announced a $2.7m commitment on Monday at Anam Cara House in Highton.

The pledge comes a month after it emerged that a $940,000 contribution from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts had been pulled because ACH could not match the funds within the required time period.

Mr Dunstan said in addition to the eight new bedrooms, each with an ensuite, the funding would see the construction of two living areas, a dining room and hydrotherapy bath.

Unlike the money it was granted in October 2021 via the federal government’s Building Better Regions Fund, there is no requirement for ACH to match the funding.

“Anam Cara House Geelong, an accredited private hospital, provides crucial health care to those suffering end-of-life and life-limiting illnesses – this now includes local veterans,” Mr Dunstan said.

“It is vital we secure the future of this essential facility.

“The Albanese government’s decision to terminate $940,000 of grant funding has put these eight palliative care beds at risk of being scrapped and we cannot allow that to happen.”

Senator Sarah Henderson joined Mr Dunstan for the announcement, having played a key role in ACH attaining $5m of federal funds in 2016.

“The Liberals won’t stand by and allow these additional palliative care bedrooms and 3000 additional bed nights of care to be put at risk,” she said.

ACH chair Diana Taylor said the organisation was “incredibly grateful” for the funding that would take the number of palliative care bedrooms to 20.

New research from YouGov shows Ms Coker almost five percentage points ahead of Mr Dunstan on a two-party preferred basis.

While Ms Coker, Corangamite MP since 2019, faces a swing against her, the extent of that has reduced from 5.2 per cent in mid-February to 2.7 per cent, according to YouGov.

The same research projected a big boilover in the neighbouring seat of Wannon, which stretches from Anglesea in the east to the South Australian border.

YouGov has independent and former Triple J presenter Alex Dyson narrowly defeating senior Liberal Dan Tehan, aided by a favourable preference flow from Labor and the Greens.

“All the polls point to a minority government where independent MPs have powerful leverage,” Mr Dyson said.

“With a powerful independent balance of power vote, every bill in parliament is a chance to negotiate a better deal for Wannon, but if we stick with Dan Tehan, every vote in parliament he has to vote the way Peter Dutton tells him.”

The projected swing again Mr Marles in Corio fell marginally to 5.3 per cent.

Nationally, YouGov’s Paul Smith said there had been a boost in support for Labor in recent weeks.

“This is a decisive change in the Australian political landscape, from a likely Coalition government in February to a likely Labor government now,” he said.

The federal election is scheduled for May 3.

What you need to know: Geelong’s guide to the 2025 federal election

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has visited Governor-General Sam Mostyn on Friday morning to get the formal go-ahead for the federal election to be held on Saturday May 3.

“Your choice has never been more clear,” the Prime Minister said.

“This election is a choice between Labor’s plan to keep building, or Peter Dutton’s promise to cut.

“That is the choice, that is your choice.”

Find out below how the race is shaping up in your electorate.

CORANGAMITE

Corangamite is shaping up to be a fascinating battle between Libby Coker and Darcy Dunstan, with a number of minor party candidates also confirmed, including Surf Coast councillor Paul Barker.

Corangamite shapes up as the closest contest in the region.

Taking in the growth corridor in Geelong’s south, the division also includes Torquay and the Bellarine.

Incumbent Labor MP Libby Coker will be hoping to buck a recent trend that has seen her two immediate predecessors serve two terms before being voted out.

Darren Cheeseman held the seat for Labor between 2007 and 2013, before losing it to now Liberal senator Sarah Henderson.

Ms Coker, elected in 2019, faces a strong challenge from Liberal candidate Darcy Dunstan, a former SAS soldier.

Mr Dunstan is a political newbie who offers a clear alternative to the incumbent.

Bellarine native Mitch Pope, a campaigner for the Otway Coastal Environment Action Network, has put his hat in the ring as the Greens’ candidate.

Surf Coast Shire councillor Paul Barker is set to represent the Libertarian Party, while Kate Lockhart will run as an independent for Voices of Corangamite.

Former Labor Party strategist Kos Samaras said the seat was definitely in play for the Liberal Party, despite Ms Coker increasing her margin to 7.6 per cent at the 2022 election.

“Corangamite has significant pockets of suburbs that are experiencing acute mortgage stress, and financial stress,” he said in January.

“For most of 2023, these households were able to sustain interest rate rises … but clearly a lot of households are now running out of steam and we’re seeing, what I would call, political grievance bubbling to the surface.”

CORIO

Richard Marles appears set to comfortably take Corio, where he will come up against Darren Buller and Sarah Hathway.

The Corio electorate takes in the Geelong CBD, the inner south suburbs and the entire north up to Staughton Vale and Balliang.

The seat is a Labor stronghold and has been comfortably held by current Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles since 2007, currently with a 12.8 per cent margin.

Darren Buller’s Liberal candidacy announcement was bungled badly after a fake Facebook page emerged and a flyer promoting an event involving Mr Buller, Sam Newman and former Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan was found to have been created mischievously.

Mr Marles is facing an almost 6 per cent swing against him, according to YouGov research released in February.

Such a result would see his margin cut to 6.9 per cent.

Former Geelong councillor Sarah Hathway will stand for Socialist Alliance, while the Greens’ have put forward Emilie Flynn.

Ms Flynn stood in the Kardinia ward against Stretch Kontelj at last year’s council election.

WANNON

Incumbent Wannon MP Dan Tehan faces a strong challenge from independent Alex Dyson, while Kate Gazzard will contest for the Greens.

The division of Wannon takes in a large area, starting in Anglesea in the east and stretching all the way to the South Australian border.

It takes in much of the Surf Coast, including the townships of Aireys Inlet, Lorne, Winchelsea and Apollo Bay.

The electorate has been dominated by the Liberals since former prime minister Malcolm Fraser won it all the way back in 1955.

It has been held by former Turnbull and Morrison minister Dan Tehan since 2010.

Mr Tehan, the Coalition’s immigration and citizenship spokesman, again faces a spirited challenge from independent Alex Dyson.

Mr Dyson, a former Triple J presenter, contested the two most recent elections, almost doubling his primary vote to 19.3 per cent and falling 3.9 per cent short on a two-party preferred basis.

The Greens’ Lauren Green was forced to pull out of the race due to her dual citizenship, replaced by former Surf Coast councillor Kate Gazzard.

Former teacher Fiona Mackenzie is Labor’s candidate.

Originally published as Liberal candidate Darcy Dunstan a ‘strong advocate’ for women in combat