Police station access, homelessness and state debt divided candidates at the Hastings candidates forum on Thursday 29 October.
Simon Love moderated the Mornington Peninsula Shire event. The panel included Labor MP Paul Mercurio, Liberal challenger Frank Schiefler and One Nation’s Peter Angelico. Greens candidate Isaac Willoughby and Animal Justice Party candidate Chloe Coulson also took part.
The exchanges began during opening statements. After Schiefler put Victoria’s debt at $200 billion, Mercurio challenged the figure, saying it was $166 billion. Schiefler questioned whether the lower figure represented a good result.
Police access at Hastings candidates forum
Mercurio criticised a “disingenuous campaign” suggesting Hastings Police Station was closed or not operating around the clock. He said police operated 24 hours a day, seven days a week. However, the public counter opened from 9.30am to 4.30pm.
He said more than 9,000 people had applied to become police officers.
“And yet we’re still struggling to find 1,500. And there’s a number of reasons for that,” he said.
Schiefler questioned how that many applications could leave Victoria short of police.
“So something’s fundamentally broken at a government level. People are not being trained quick enough.”
He promised 24-hour public access at Hastings, more local officers and public access to Somerville Police Station.
“I’m never going to apologise for advocating to have a 24-hour police station here in Hastings.”
Angelico focused on retaining officers.
“We have to get to the root cause. Why are they so frustrated with the job?”
Mercurio later said the government was opening three more police academies. He also cited falling crime figures, while Schiefler argued short reporting periods obscured increases over Labor’s longer term in government.
Coulson advocated therapeutic services and reducing disadvantage, while acknowledging a role for police in serious crime. Willoughby promoted community-led prevention and the Greens’ proposed Office of Community Safety and Crime Prevention.
Housing and homelessness in Hastings
Asked about his first 100 days, Mercurio pointed to existing housing and outreach work. This included the Women’s Property Initiative development in Hastings.
Schiefler linked homelessness to employment and economic conditions but announced no specific Hastings project.
Willoughby advocated more public housing. Coulson called for social and community housing, outreach and support for women and older people. Angelico argued that manufacturing careers and apprenticeships could address long-term disadvantage.
“The best form of welfare is a job,” he said.
Stony Point trains and Somerville bus access
Mercurio, Angelico, Willoughby and Coulson backed passing loops and more frequent Stony Point line services. Mercurio and Angelico opposed electrification on cost grounds, while Schiefler prioritised road repairs.
Mercurio claimed credit for the 886 bus service across the Mornington Peninsula. Schiefler highlighted Mornington MP Chris Crewther’s advocacy.
Mercurio had previously refused to advocate for Somerville’s inclusion, despite community calls for the town to be included.
Candidates also supported Coolart Road improvements, without a common funding commitment or timetable.
Energy, Treaty and spending
Mercurio supported the proposed renewable energy terminal. Schiefler wanted further scrutiny and surrounding infrastructure improved. Angelico advocated nuclear power and challenged renewable subsidies. In contrast, Willoughby and Coulson supported renewables alongside environmental protection.
Mercurio, Willoughby and Coulson supported Treaty; Schiefler and Angelico opposed it.
Schiefler and Angelico favoured regional or rural recognition for the Mornington Peninsula. Mercurio and Coulson supported retaining metropolitan status, citing green wedge protection. Willoughby took the classification question on notice.
On spending, Mercurio defended infrastructure borrowing and Schiefler criticised waste. Willoughby challenged Schiefler’s claim that only the Liberals had a fully costed plan. He cited proposed banking and online gambling taxes.
Angelico favoured redirecting spending and business growth. Meanwhile, Coulson sought more funding for community needs and greater contributions from large companies.
