Rumoured Snub As Batty Misses Marsh Maiden Speech

Feature image showing new Mornington Peninsula Shire Mayor Stephen Batty and Nepean MP Anthony Marsh with the headline Rumoured Snub. — New Mayor Stephen Batty was absent from Anthony Marsh’s maiden speech in State Parliament, fuelling speculation after the Mornington Peninsula Shire mayoral vote.

A rumoured political snub is circulating on the Mornington Peninsula after new Mayor Stephen Batty did not attend Anthony Marsh’s maiden speech in State Parliament.

Marsh, the new Liberal Member for Nepean and former Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor, delivered his first speech in Parliament on Wednesday night.

He thanked several former council colleagues, including Paul Pingiaro, Andrea Allen, Bruce Ranken and Cam Williams.

But he did not name Cr Batty.

That omission stands out because Cr Batty was previously part of the Marsh-led bloc of six councillors that shaped the direction of the Shire after the 2024 council election.

Invitation claim follows mayoral upset

STPL News understands an invitation had originally been extended for the mayor of Mornington Peninsula Shire to attend the parliamentary proceedings.

At the time, Cr Pingiaro was acting mayor.

A source familiar with the matter claims the invitation changed after Cr Batty won the mayoralty.

The source claims Marsh sent Cr Batty a text message on the day of the speech advising him he was no longer invited to attend.

Sorrento News has also published the claim on social media, where it framed the alleged withdrawal as an “uninvite” from the Spring Street proceedings.

STPL News has not independently verified the alleged text message.

Marsh praises Pingiaro

In his speech, Marsh singled out Cr Pingiaro, who served as his deputy mayor at the Shire.

Marsh described Cr Pingiaro as his “trusted confidant and loyal wingman”.

He also praised former council colleagues Andrea, Bruce and Cam as “wonderful colleagues and great friends”.

Cr Batty did not receive a mention.

The omission has fuelled speculation about tension after the mayoral vote.

Cr Batty won the mayoralty after the council had earlier split 5-5 between him and Cr Pingiaro.

Cr Pingiaro remains deputy mayor.

From bloc member to mayor

Cr Batty’s absence carries political weight.

He had previously sat inside the Marsh-led bloc of six councillors.

That bloc included Marsh, Cr Pingiaro, Cr Batty, Cr Andrea Allen, Cr Bruce Ranken and Cr Cam Williams.

The group often voted together on key council matters.

But that alignment shifted after Marsh resigned from council and Cr Batty challenged Cr Pingiaro for the mayoralty.

Cr Pingiaro had been acting mayor and argued the Shire needed stable leadership from day one.

Cr Batty won the role.

Months of political tension

The rumoured snub follows months of scrutiny around Marsh’s move from council to state politics.

Previous reporting has covered internal Liberal preselection tension, the appointment of municipal monitors at Mornington Peninsula Shire while Marsh was mayor, an ABC report on alleged unauthorised roadworks during the Nepean campaign, and STPL News reporting that Marsh withdrew from a sold-out candidates forum after questions were circulated.

Marsh later won the Nepean by-election and resigned from council.

That created the Briars Ward vacancy and triggered the mayoral contest that Cr Batty ultimately won.

Why it matters

This is about more than one seat in the gallery.

Marsh is now the State Member for Nepean.

Cr Batty is now mayor of Mornington Peninsula Shire.

Both roles require a working relationship on roads, housing, planning, tourism, infrastructure and state funding.

If the alleged withdrawal of the invitation is confirmed, it would point to an early fracture between the Shire’s new mayor and the peninsula’s newest state MP.

For now, the public record shows this much: Marsh praised Cr Pingiaro and several former council colleagues in Parliament, but left Cr Batty out.

The question is whether that omission was political, personal or simply incidental.