The Nepean by-election campaign has been thrown into fresh controversy after leaked text messages revealed Liberal candidate Anthony Marsh privately backed a Labor candidate during the 2022 Victorian state election.
Messages published by the Herald Sun appear to show Marsh expressing support for Labor’s Paul Mercurio on election night in the neighbouring electorate of Hastings, where Mercurio was contesting the seat against Liberal candidate Briony Hutton.
According to the report, Marsh wrote “I hope Paul gets it!!!” and later said he was “stoked for Paul”, adding that the result would mean “less people like … Briony in power.”
Hutton ultimately lost the seat by about 1,116 votes.
The revelations come as Marsh campaigns as the Liberal Party’s candidate in the Nepean by-election triggered by the resignation of former MP Sam Groth.
Leaked messages emerge during campaign
The emergence of the messages places Marsh at the centre of the campaign narrative at a time when the Liberal Party has effectively built its Nepean strategy around him.
STPL News previously reported that the Liberals had gone all-in on Marsh following Groth’s departure from parliament.
The leaked texts now add further scrutiny to the candidate as campaigning intensifies across the Mornington Peninsula electorate.
Political positioning under scrutiny
The messages also add to questions about Marsh’s recent political trajectory.
STPL News previously reported that Marsh had described himself as a “genuine independent” before later joining the Liberal Party shortly before seeking preselection for the Nepean by-election.
The Herald Sun report also states that during one of his recent council campaigns Marsh had directed voters to place Liberal candidates last on the ballot.
Combined with the leaked messages supporting a Labor candidate in 2022 and his subsequent decision to join the Liberal Party days before seeking preselection, the sequence highlights the rapid shift in Marsh’s political positioning in the lead-up to the by-election.
Internal frustration reported
According to the Herald Sun, Marsh’s preselection has already caused frustration within parts of the Liberal Party.
The report states the party used a fast-tracked state executive process rather than a broader vote of rank-and-file members to select its candidate.
That process meant only a small group of party officials were involved in the decision.
Marsh responds
In comments published by the Herald Sun, Marsh said the messages should be viewed in the context of his role in local government.
He said:
“As Paul has said, while we didn’t always agree on everything, as the local Mayor it was important to work with all levels of government to deliver results for our community, and to work with my fellow Councillors like I did with Paul.”
Marsh also said he decided to run in the by-election because he believed the state government had neglected the region.
He said:
“I’ve watched this Labor government neglect our community for too long. That’s why I put my hand up to be part of a team that can actually deliver for Nepean. Only Jess Wilson’s new Liberal Team will ensure we get our fair share here.”
A crowded contest emerging
Labor has chosen not to field a candidate in the Nepean by-election, leaving the contest to be fought between the Liberals, minor parties and independent candidates.
Several challengers have already sought to position themselves as alternatives to the major parties.
Libertarian candidate Peter Angelico has argued voter frustration with the political establishment could reshape the contest.
Meanwhile One Nation candidate Darren Hercus has said his campaign should not be viewed as a support role for the Liberal Party and is seeking to attract voters looking for a different political option.
Additionally, we have Tracee Hutchison (Independent) and Greens candidate.
The Nepean seat is currently held by the Liberal Party with a margin of about 6.4 per cent.
With the campaign now underway across the Mornington Peninsula, the emergence of the leaked messages is likely to intensify scrutiny of the candidates and the political choices facing voters in the upcoming by-election.
