The Peninsula election field is widening beyond the traditional Labor-Liberal contest, with the Greens, One Nation, independents and other minor parties stepping up their campaigns ahead of Victoria’s November poll.
Across Mornington, Hastings, Nepean and Frankston, new candidates and campaign launches are giving voters more choices ahead of the election on 28 November.
The Greens officially launched their Hastings and Nepean campaigns in Red Hill South on Saturday. Independents have entered the contests in Nepean and Mornington, while six candidates have now been announced for Frankston.
One Nation is also preparing to hold its own local campaign launch on Tuesday.
While their policies differ significantly, many of the challengers are presenting themselves as alternatives to the established political parties.
Greens Launch Hastings And Nepean Campaigns
Sianan Healy, the Greens candidate for Nepean, and Isaac Willoughby, the party’s candidate for Hastings, launched their campaigns at Our Place Cafe on Saturday 5 September.
Organisers had announced Australian Greens Senator for Victoria Steph Hodgins-May and Eastern Victoria upper house candidate Mat Morgan as special guests.
Healy works in women’s health and is raising her family on the Mornington Peninsula. She has identified housing, healthcare, education and climate action among her priorities.
“The people of Nepean work hard and care for each other, and we’re being let down by the status quo,” Healy said in material released ahead of the launch.
“We deserve better, and I will be a representative who fights on all our behalf for better housing, health, education and climate action.”
Willoughby is a local musician and teacher campaigning on housing affordability, public transport and protection of the Western Port environment.
“Hastings deserves a voice that listens to people, not corporate donors, who will fight for affordable housing, better public transport links, and a thriving natural environment,” Willoughby said.
Independents Enter Nepean And Mornington Contests
The field has also expanded following Safety Beach resident Kim Robbins’ announcement that she will contest Nepean as an independent.
Robbins is a member of Independents for Mornington Peninsula but is not endorsed by the organisation. She is running her own campaign after the group decided to concentrate its resources on Mornington.
Robbins has identified cost-of-living pressures, local health and community services, housing, community safety and environmental protection among her priorities.
Her campaign website frames the contest around accountability and ensuring the Peninsula receives adequate services and state funding.
Meanwhile, Mornington Peninsula businesswoman Melissa Goffin has been endorsed by Independents for Mornington Peninsula to contest Mornington.
Goffin is the co-founder and chair of Women in Business Mornington Peninsula and Frankston.
Her selection gives the community independent movement another opportunity to contest a seat where an independent came close to victory in 2022.
Six Candidates Announced For Frankston
The contest is also taking shape in Frankston, where six candidates have been publicly announced.
Labor MP Paul Edbrooke will defend the seat against Liberal candidate Bree Ambry and Greens candidate Katie Goulas.
The field also includes Andrew Cheeseman for the Victorian Socialists, independent candidate Chrysten Abraham and Dr Julie Harman for the Animal Justice Party.
The six candidates are included on Frankston City Council’s published state election candidate list.
The expanding field provides another example of candidates outside Labor and Liberal seeking a place in the November contest.
One Nation Prepares For Local Launch
One Nation will be the next minor party to hold a local campaign event.
Mornington candidate Ashli Beards and Nepean candidate Darren Hercus are scheduled to launch their campaigns in Mornington on Tuesday 8 September.
One Nation has also advised STPL News that it expects to announce its Hastings candidate later in September.
Why The Peninsula Election Is Attracting Challengers
Historical Victorian Electoral Commission results collated by Peninsula Votes, STPL News’ state election information hub, help explain why parties and independents see potential openings across the region.
Mornington was the Peninsula’s closest contest in 2022. Liberal MP Chris Crewther defeated independent Kate Lardner with 50.70 per cent of the two-candidate-preferred vote.
The seat was retained by the Liberals with a margin of just 0.70 percentage points.
Hastings was also narrowly decided. Labor’s Paul Mercurio defeated Liberal candidate Briony Hutton by 1.35 percentage points.
Mercurio will defend the seat against confirmed challengers including Liberal candidate Frank Schiefler, Greens candidate Isaac Willoughby and Animal Justice Party candidate Chloe Coulson.
One Nation expects to announce a further Hastings candidate later in September.
Frankston was less closely contested in 2022. Edbrooke received 58.7 per cent of the two-party-preferred vote, compared with 41.3 per cent for Liberal candidate Michael O’Reilly.
This gave Labor a margin of 8.7 percentage points.
Nepean is held by Liberal MP Anthony Marsh, who won the May by-election with 63.24 per cent after preferences against independent Tracee Hutchison.
However, the primary vote was divided across a broad field. One Nation’s Darren Hercus received 24.52 per cent, Hutchison received 21.05 per cent and Greens candidate Sianan Healy received 9.38 per cent. Labor did not contest the by-election.
These historical results do not make every seat equally competitive. However, the growing number of candidates shows that parties and independents outside Labor and Liberal believe opportunities exist as the election field expands.
Peninsula Votes will continue tracking confirmed candidates, electorate information and campaign developments across Frankston, Mornington, Hastings and Nepean.
The 2026 Victorian state election will be held on Saturday 28 November.
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