This week I was back in Frankston to ask Jodie Belyea to be Labor’s candidate for Dunkley.
Jodie is a local Frankston mum who has put her hand up after the late Peta Murphy’s passing.
I know that for many of us, not just in the Labor family, but in the local community, the loss of Peta Murphy has been devastating.
It meant a lot that Rod, Peta’s husband, joined us on Thursday at the Frankston Bowling Club to help launch Jodie’s campaign.
Because of Peta’s work, Jodie Belyea was inspired to join the Labor Party.
I’m proud that Jodie is working hard to continue Peta’s legacy.
Peta Murphy was a fighter.
Peta fought for this community every day and I know Jodie Belyea will too.
Because this community deserves a strong, local voice.
Jodie met Peta through her work for a not-for-profit organisation that supports local women doing it tough.
I know Jodie will build on Peta’s legacy.
Jodie will be a strong local voice for Dunkley and part of a government that is working every day to make lives better.
We’re delivering responsible cost of living relief, with support for families, including cheaper child care, cheaper medicines, electricity bill relief, and making it cheaper and easier to see a doctor.
My team has made it easier to see a doctor, with 19 more GPs now working in Dunkley.
We’ve taken the load off the local emergency department at Frankston hospital, with the opening of the Frankston Urgent Care Clinic.
Already, 11,000 patients have been through its doors.
And there are thousands of families paying less for their child care because of our cheaper child care initiative.
Jodie studied and worked at Chisholm TAFE and community organisations like Anglicare.
She’ll be part of a Government that is making record investments in vocational education and TAFE, so that locals can get the skills they need to get ahead and provide for their loved ones.
Jodie also knows we’re working hard to make sure people can find a home of their own.
Since the election, the Home Guarantee Scheme has helped more than 3,500 people in Melbourne’s south east and over 1,000 people in Mornington Peninsula into a home of their own.
So, in the coming weeks, you’ll see Jodie Belyea out and about.
Take the opportunity to have a chat with Jodie and hear a bit more about why she’s put her hand up to be the next Member for Dunkley and the newest member of my government.
This opinion piece was first published in The Frankston Times on Tuesday, 16 January 2024.