A CANDIDATE in this month’s Frankston Council election is facing fierce backlash from the Liberal Party over election material targeting another candidate’s pregnancy.
Nathan Havis, a Liberal Party member at the time of his nomination, is a candidate in Lyrebird Ward. He is under fire for comments made about fellow Lyrebird Ward candidate Steffie Conroy. The flyer (pictured below), authorised by Havis, reads that Conroy will “take paid/unpaid parental leave in 2 months (if) elected as they have a second child on the way”. A statement on Steffie Conroy’s website states she will “not be seeking maternity leave within council, as I am fortunate to have access to maternity leave through my current job.”
Conroy is the wife of incumbent Frankston mayor and former Liberal Dunkley candidate Nathan Conroy. She told The Times that she had a baby boy last week. “I’m running a positive campaign,” Conroy said when asked about Havis’ comments. “I’m staying positive to who I am, and focusing on the future.” Havis’ flyer also falsely states that Nathan and Steffie Conroy were born in Ireland – Nathan Conroy was born in Ireland but Steffie Conroy was born in Carrum Downs.
Steffie Conroy says her situation “gives me an advantage, as I will have the time and flexibility to fulfil my duties as a councillor. In fact, during my maternity leave in 2022, I attended numerous council commitments, many of which focused on young families.” “Since welcoming my son two years ago, while working full time and starting my own consulting business, I have attended 50+ events held by Frankston City Council – more than some sitting councillors,” she said. “Having a young family will not define or limit my role as a councillor. Many current councillors also have families and work full-time or part-time, and these responsibilities have not hindered their duty – nor will they limit mine.”
Havis was asked by The Times if there are any issues between himself and the Liberal Party, and if he stood by the comments made about Steffie Conroy. He said he would “only comment after the results of the election”.
First published in the Frankston Times – 15 October 2024