Dr Sarah Russell

I am the Voices of Mornington Peninsula Endorsed Independent Candidate. The Voices model is to consult the community on the key issues via KTCs.

The key issues depend on where on the Mornington Peninsula the KTC took place and with whom. People who live in Sorrento and Mt Martha had different key issues to people who live in Hastings and Crib Point. Older people had different key issues to younger people.

However it was generally agreed that key issues are Climate Action, sustainability and fixing telecommunications - particularly the NBN.

I was not surprised by the demographic, socio-economic and employment profile but I was surprised that Mornington Peninsula was more aligned to regional Victoria.

I believe in negotiation. The Committee of Mornington has made a case for reclassifying Mornington Peninsula as part of regional Victoria and not Melbourne. It is now beholden on the local State MP, State Minister for Local Government and Minister for Planning to meet with The Committee of Mornington and respond to this case.

The federal government has a key role to play in areas highlighted in the report.  Importantly, federal government should facilitate the three levels of government working closely together across the respective roles and responsibilities to deliver positive outcomes for the Mornington Peninsula.

Making Flinders a marginal seat.

I have 5 housing policies on my website that respond to the Housing Crisis on the Peninsula.

1. Rise in Rent Assistance - I support a rise in Commonwealth Rent Assistance to immediately reduce financial stress for many of Australia's most vulnerable families.
2. Investment in public housing - A social housing future fund would provide an annual stream of funding to pay for this social housing.
3. Assistance to first homebuyers - I support policy levers that make it easier for people to become homeowners and make it less attractive for investors to buy houses.
4. Stop money laundering in property
5.  Introduce a beneficial ownership register

There has been a lack of action on Public Transport on the Mornington Peninsula since I was a teenager.

Limited transport choices force commuters to rely on cars – mostly fuelled by petrol due to federal government’s lack of action on electric vehicles.  Weed federal government policies to increase supply and reduce cost of electric vehicles.

Last month, I met Robert Whitehill, a young man who is passionate about public transport on the Mornington Peninsula. Robert has developed a proposal for the 'Peninsula Rail Link', a V/Line train service that would run from Southern Cross to Rosebud via the former Mornington line, and include upgrades to the Frankston and Stony Point lines, as well as an overhauled bus network for the Peninsula including 4 cross-peninsula routes. His proposal will enable people without cars, to travel in, out and around the Peninsula more safely and easily. I asked about the impact this development would have on the green wedge. Robert acknowledged it would have some impact. He also explained how these impacts could be mitigated. I explained to Robert that a strong business case assessment needs to be undertaken by an expert and an independent authority before I can support any large infrastructure project.

There are many benefits of the Baxter rail project. These include:

• Lower dependency on cars
• Positive and large impact upon the younger and lower income demographic population in the area.
• Relieves Frankston transport bottleneck.
• Better access to tertiary education and health facilities.

However I expect a strong business case assessment to be undertaken by an expert and independent authority before I support any large project.

Some ideas include to encourage those on international student and working-holiday visas to work on Mornington Peninsula. Welcome refugees to Mornington Peninsula to train into the tourism and hospitality industry. The problem, however, is where are they going to live?

You should vote for me because my platform is accountability and transparency. These are the fundamentals of good government. We need immediate action in 8 areas:

• A National Integrity Commission
• Political Donation Laws
• The Australian National Audit Office
• The Freedom of Information Act
• Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)
• Parliamentary Code of Conduct
• The Australian Public Service
• The Electoral Act

I will also fight for evidence-based reforms of the aged care system.

My legacy will be ensuring older people using aged care services (either residential or home care) are treated with dignity and respect.

• I will have played a strong part in bringing transparency and accountability back to the decision- making process. As a result I will have saved taxpayers billions in dollars that can be directed to productive purposes.
• I will have been part of a group of Independents that will have brought in a robust ICAC and strong climate action.