Frankston, Victoria — Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Anthony Marsh has criticised Frankston mayor Kris Bolam JP’s upcoming overseas sister cities tour, saying it “doesn’t pass the pub test” — but his comments come just a week after he faced questions over his own travel to Canberra.
In remarks published in the Herald Sun, Marsh said:
“I’d never dream of going on a round-the-world trip funded by ratepayers. Any money spent by a council on ratepayers’ behalf has to be able to show tangible outcomes.”
Spending that sort of money on something that is really just a nicety during a cost-of-living crisis doesn’t pass the pub test.”
But Marsh’s intervention comes only a week after he himself faced scrutiny for voting on his own travel to Canberra, possibly breaching conflict-of-interest rules. He is also alleged to have pressured Frankston Council to send Bolam to accompany him and Committee for Frankston & Mornington CEO Josh Sinclair — despite Bolam’s reluctance to attend.
Bolam Fires Back
Bolam described Marsh’s comments as “unnecessary and disappointing,” while noting that such “commentary of this nature is rarely constructive.”
“In recent months, there has been a great deal occurring at the Mornington Peninsula Shire that I could have chosen to comment on. However, I have consistently maintained the view that each municipality is entitled to manage its own affairs without outside interference.”
Bolam told STPL News.
“If Anthony prefers to draw attention to the workings of another council in order to deflect from the difficulties within his own, that is a decision for him,”
He accused Marsh of “hypocrisy and inconsistency” in financial arguments, pointing out that while Frankston had allocated around $9,000 for travel costs to maintain its sister city relationships, the Mornington Peninsula Shire spends more than $100,000 annually on the South East Councils Climate Change Alliance (SECCCA).
“What I do find curious is the hypocrisy and inconsistency in his financial arguments.”
“He has criticised Frankston City Council for investing $9,000… yet Mornington Peninsula Shire allocates in excess of $100,000 annually to fund a climate action organisation that delivers, at best, dubious outcomes for the region.”
Canberra Trip
Bolam also reflected on his own Canberra experience alongside Marsh and Sinclair.
“I appreciate Jodie’s office for the hospitality and organising several meetings. We now need to look at the efficacy of the trip.”
He noted he had attended just three meetings — two of them with policy advisers — and had already been in Canberra a few weeks earlier.
Photographs from the visit showed Bolam appearing apart from Marsh and Sinclair — an image that has fuelled speculation of growing tension between the two municipalities.
Sister Cities Mission
Bolam is preparing to visit Frankston’s sister and friendship cities in China, Japan, Fiji and the United States. He emphasised that while accommodation and gifts will be paid by council, he is funding his own flights and has previously self-funded sister city visits.
He said the trip could deliver tangible results, including international investment opportunities, trade connections and student exchange programs.
Committee Membership Under Review
Bolam confirmed Frankston will reconsider its membership of the Committee for Frankston & Mornington Peninsula, citing fundamental policy differences.
“I feel there’s a very good argument to review this relationship from the rules of engagement to whether the present arrangement is both appropriate and productive”.
Bolam confirmed he had refused to attend a Canberra meeting with the Environment Minister that was in support of the Port proposal.
“We remain firmly opposed to unlocking heritage-protected land for industrial use or pursuing the Port of Hastings project.”
“Both are shortsighted proposals that risk significant environmental harm, and on these critical issues we part ways with the Mornington Peninsula Shire and the Committee for Frankston & Mornington Peninsula.“
He said Frankston remains opposed to unlocking heritage-protected land for industrial use or supporting the Port of Hastings project, both of which he labelled “shortsighted proposals that risk significant environmental harm.”
In 2021, Frankston City Council, under the leadership of Bolam, left the former Committee for Frankston.
A Deepening Rift
Marsh’s attack has left him open to claims of hypocrisy, given his own Canberra travel vote and alleged pressure on Frankston to attend. By contrast, Bolam has steered Frankston through positive reforms — resisting environmentally damaging projects, strengthening its economy, and seeking international partnerships.
While Bolam still needs to show ratepayers the value of his overseas mission, Frankston’s progress under his leadership speaks louder than political barbs from across the border.
