A SPORTING group criticised by federal Dunkley Liberal MP Chris Crewther in Parliament earlier this year wants electorate boundaries changed in a move that would put the seat within reach of a Labor Party win at the next federal election.
The Frankston & District Basketball Association (FDBA) wrote to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) on 14 May to support a proposed Dunkley electorate boundaries redistribution that would see Dunkley lose Mornington and the north of Baxter in the south to the Flinders electorate but gain Sandhurst, Carrum Downs and Skye in the north from the Isaacs electorate.
The FDBA’s stadium is located at council-owned land at Bardia Avenue in Seaford.
Association president Gary Emery’s letter to the AEC said: “Frankston basketball’s catchment zone is linked to the municipal boundaries of Frankston City as well as capturing aspects of Mount Eliza.
“Frankston basketball encourages that the redistribution is endorsed for the betterment of the sport of basketball in our region.”
The submission to the AEC comes after Mr Crewther made several allegations under parliamentary privilege in Canberra about possible misconduct at the Frankston & District Basketball Association.
The FDBA denies the allegations.
Basketball Victoria is investigating the allegations.
Mr Crewther’s comments were made in Parliament the week after hosting last-ditch talks between the FDBA and Frankston Council in a failed bid to try to resurrect a $12.7 million upgrade of the stadium.
Council and the association could not agree on lease terms for an upgraded stadium.
Frankston mayor Cr Colin Hampton has also made a recent submission to the AEC supporting Dunkley boundary changes.
“As councillor representing the North East Ward of Frankston — encompassing Carrum Downs, Sandhurst, Skye and Langwarrin — I look forward to the communities I represent finally being brought within the same federal electorate.”
Cr Hampton, a Labor Party member, stated in his correspondence that “I make this submission in my capacity as a long-term councillor and resident, not as mayor. It reflects my personal views.”
Neighbouring Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Bryan Payne, a Liberal Party member, made a 4 May submission opposing the AEC proposed changes (“Electorate change objections mount”, The Times 21/5/18).
“In particular, we are concerned about the separation of Mount Eliza from the neighbouring township of Mornington,” Cr Payne stated in a letter to the AEC.
“Mount Eliza benefits from being part of the same federal electorate as the township of Mornington, which is a major activity centre for Mount Eliza residents”.
First published in the Frankston Times – 28 May 2018
This article was updated on 31 May to report Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Bryan Payne is a member of the Liberal Party. The article was also updated to confirm Carrum Downs and Skye will move from the Isaacs to Dunkley electorate if the boundary changes are adopted by the AEC.
