Greens Launch Nepean and Hastings Campaigns in Red Hill

Supporters gathered at the Greens’ Nepean and Hastings campaign launch in Red Hill. — More than 60 supporters attended the Greens’ Nepean and Hastings campaign launch in Red Hill. (Supplied)

The Greens have launched their Nepean and Hastings campaigns at a Red Hill gathering attended by more than 60 supporters, as campaigning builds ahead of November’s Victorian state election.

Nepean candidate Sianan Healy and Hastings candidate Isaac Willoughby used the event to outline priorities including cost of living, housing, public transport and environmental protection, while also directing strong criticism at the major parties.

Healy Returns to Contest Nepean

Nepean Greens candidate Sianan Healy. — Nepean Greens candidate Sianan Healy is contesting the seat again after running in the May by-election.

Healy, a Mornington Peninsula local who works in the non-profit women’s health sector, previously contested the Nepean by-election in May.

She said cost-of-living pressures and frustration with politics were recurring concerns among residents.

“Talking with locals, the worry about cost of living and frustration with our political system is clear,” Healy said.

Healy accused the major parties of favouring wealthy interests while inequality grows, and claimed Labor, the Liberals and One Nation were pursuing policies that would worsen environmental problems.

She pointed to warming seas, native forest loss and increased bushfire risk among the issues she believes require greater government action.

Willoughby Targets Housing and Transport

Hastings Greens candidate Isaac Willoughby. — Hastings Greens candidate Isaac Willoughby has launched his campaign ahead of the November state election.

Willoughby, a local musician and teacher, nominated affordable housing, public transport and environmental protection among his priorities for Hastings.

“Hastings deserves a voice that listens to people, not corporate donors,” Willoughby said.

He also claimed decades of conservative dominance on the Mornington Peninsula had contributed to neglect by the major parties.

Willoughby called for stronger climate action and linked his campaign to “truth, treaty and justice”, arguing governments should be held accountable for what he described as their contribution to the climate crisis.

Victorian Greens Senator Steph Hodgins-May and Eastern Victoria lead candidate and Bass Coast councillor Mat Morgan also attended the launch.

The launch adds another two active campaigns to an increasingly busy Mornington Peninsula election field, with parties and candidates stepping up their presence ahead of November.