Incumbent MP Jodie Belyea will contest Dunkley for Labor. Former mayor Nathan Conroy is the Liberal candidate. Robert Thurley and Andrew Gatley have declared their intention to run as independents. Matt Maber has been named as The Greens’ candidate, Jessica Davis will be One Nation’s candidate for Dunkley, and Family First will run pastor Peter Nicholes as its candidate.
The election will be held on 3 May.
Nathan Conroy – Liberal
I’m a proud Frankston local—elected to council in 2020, then honoured to serve as Deputy Mayor and Mayor between 2021 and 2024. During that time, I worked every day to represent our community and help deliver a 20-year vision for Frankston that brings more homes, local jobs and a safer, more vibrant city.
Now, I’m standing as the Liberal candidate for Dunkley to take that same passion to Canberra. I know our community deserves better. Families and pensioners are doing it tough, and it’s time we had real cost-of-living relief and a government focused on our needs.
I support practical solutions—like allowing first-home buyers to access up to $50,000 of their super to enter the market and cutting the fuel tax by 25 cents per litre to deliver up to $1,200 in tax relief. These are real, immediate ways to make life more affordable.
We also need to invest in what matters. I’ve secured $1 million to upgrade the Frankston Naval Memorial—honouring our veterans—and committed $640,000 to help Street Peace build a youth hub to support at-risk young people with mentoring, training, and a positive path forward.
Community safety is a top priority. I’ll fight for stronger federal support for crime prevention, youth engagement, and early intervention programs—while working closely with state authorities to ensure our region gets the resources it needs to keep people safe. Everyone deserves to feel safe in their home, on their street, and at their local shops.
I’ve also committed $50 million to the Nepean Boulevard upgrade, backed sensible height controls in the FMAC plan, and continue to fight for the return of the Frankston CBD post office—because locals deserve services they can rely on.
I moved to Dunkley at 19 and proudly call it home. If elected, I’ll work every day to deliver for Dunkley. We can’t afford 3 more years under Labor.
Robert Thurley – Independent
I am a genuine self funded Independent candidate offering to represent this great community in Canberra. I am a passionate and proud product of Frankston and have taken much of what this city has offered as the lifestyle capital of Victoria, and all that means. I would love to be given a chance to give back to the community – by fighting for what we value most, the cleanest and best beaches in Victoria and genuine love of our indigenous natural assets. We don’t need a cheap knockoff of yesteryears Cool Climate Surfers Paradise – so yesteryear and so lacking in imagination – driving forward looking in the rear vision mirror.
I have lived, worked, and loved in this community for nearly eight generations, and have followed the community volunteering tradition of my parents Ted and Mavis Thurley with a family presence in town beginning with “Sunset” at 4 Well St since the outbreak of war in 1914. I married my school sweetheart from Frankston High School, played on the beach all summer and brought up three kids in this community.
I will take the fight to protect our UNESCO rated coastline from greedy developers and lazy councils to Canberra and seek national protection for future generations. As the Regional Capital – current leadership seems to be unaware of their responsibility for the catchment the size of Canberra and a blinkered view of regional connection of the World Heritage (UNESCO) rated Mornington Peninsula.
Do not trust the three main parties to do this as evidenced by an insane Great Wall on Kananook Creek proposed by Frankston Council – our community led campaign has successfully punched a great hole through at VCAT.
Mandatory height levels to protect our coastline need to be mandated by Canberra for all Australians to protect the weakest links around the great Australian coastline – Frankston City, the Regional Capital being near bottom in the National League – and all three national parties have exploited this weakness and should be ashamed of themselves.
They do not deserve to lead. No preference deals with that ragged lot – see them off, they do not deserve your support. Get with the genuine Independents with a fresh and Frankston Tough approach in the Dunkley election.
Jessica Davis – One Nation
JESSICA Davis, a lifelong Victorian and devoted mother of two, brings a wealth of experience, resilience, and passion to her candidacy for Dunkley. With nearly 20 years in the health sector as a paramedic and emergency nurse, Jessica has dedicated her career to serving her community in some of its most vulnerable moments. From her time at Monash Medical Centre Clayton to her work with Ambulance Victoria, Jessica has witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by everyday Australians and the impact of government policies on their lives.
Her career took a dramatic turn in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic when vaccine mandates led to her termination. This life-altering experience fueled her determination to advocate for workers’ rights and justice, leading her to establish Australians Working For Australians (AW4A). Through this initiative, Jessica has fought tirelessly for healthcare workers impacted by mandates, emphasising fairness, accountability, and the importance of lawful protections.
Jessica’s advocacy extends beyond healthcare. She is deeply engaged with her community, actively listening to concerns about issues like rising costs of living, housing shortages, and the erosion of personal freedoms. “Australians deserve leadership that prioritizes fairness, integrity, and solutions that benefit all,” she says. “It’s time to rebuild trust in our institutions and ensure our children inherit a brighter future.”
Running as One Nation’s candidate for Dunkley, Jessica is committed to addressing local issues, supporting small businesses, and restoring commonsense to politics. Her vision includes tackling housing affordability, ensuring better community infrastructure, and standing up for individual rights.
Matt Maber – The Greens
I’m running because I care about Dunkley and the people here. Growing up, I saw working-class families and renters like myself pushed out as costs soared. Many of my friends can no longer afford to live in the place they grew up. The system is failing us, and I’m stepping up to change it. I’m not a career politician – I’m one of you, committed to building a fairer society where Dunkley gets the attention it deserves.
Dunkley is home to hard-working people – renters, small business owners, and families. We share a common struggle: rising costs and a housing crisis. Many of us are working longer hours, yet we can’t keep up. If you’re worried about the cost of living, housing or climate, you’re not alone. In a wealthy country like ours, everyone should be able to afford the basics: a home, food and world class health and education. And we should be taking strong action on the climate and environment crisis, not backing more coal and gas. While you pay more, one in three big corporations pay zero tax.
More Greens will keep Dutton out and get Labor to act. If you want change, the first step is to vote for it. This time, vote 1 Greens.
Peter Nicholes – Family First
PETER Nicholes is a dedicated family man and community leader, having lived in Frankston for over 37 years with his wife Karen after planting a church, they have three married children, and six grandchildren. With a background as a full-time Pastor and Christian leader, Peter has mentored and trained hundreds of young people to be future leaders across Australia and abroad and continues to coach community leaders nationwide. He volunteers with Street Peace, engaging with the youth in Frankston, and is deeply committed to strengthening families and supporting the next generation.
My vision for Dunkley is to help families thrive because Great Families are the foundation to a great nation. When we focus our resources on building loving families with safe environments, economically secure we build a protective fence at the top of the cliff but when families breakdown we see young people fall off the cliff into crime, drugs, suicide etc and we spend all our resources at the bottom of the cliff trying to repair smashed and broken lives.
First’s three core campaign messages:
- Cutting power prices by ending net zero policies and unlocking affordable energy
- Protecting parents’ rights in education, especially in faith-based schools
- Safeguarding children from radical gender ideology
Locally, I support projects that enhance youth engagement, community safety, and address housing affordability and homelessness—a major issue in Dunkley. I am proud to campaign alongside Bernie Finn, Family First’s lead Senate candidate for Victoria. Together, we will be a strong voice for Dunkley families, upholding faith, freedom, and family values in Parliament.
Andrew Gatley – FUSION
AS an affiliate member of the Democracy First / Fusion Party, my main aims representing Dunkley include ensuring that every voter has representation at a federal level, regardless of your personal views.
The electorate of Dunkley has the potential to be one of the best electorates in Australia, however for too long it has been forgotten by the major political parties. We have created a set of strong policies that aim to reduce the cost of living, increase employment opportunities, and create better health and education outcomes for all.
Together with your support, we can change the way that the system represents Australians, and ensure greater prosperity both in the short and long term.
Jodie Belyea – Labor
SINCE being elected 12 months ago, I have hit the ground running and continued the work of the late Peta Murphy. I have lived and worked in our community for more than 30 years and I am passionate about this great community and the wonderful people who live here.
My vision is to continue to build a thriving community for all who live, work, and raise a family here.
Labor has overseen key investments into our local community, including delivering the Frankston Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, the redevelopment of Jubilee Park Stadium, construction of the Frankston Station & Kananook Station commuter car parks, and soon-to-begin redevelopment of Frankston District Basketball Stadium. But we know there’s more work to do.
If re-elected, the Albanese Labor Government will continue to strengthen Medicare with more bulk billing, so locals can see a GP for free, train more doctors and nurses than ever before, and make medicines even cheaper by capping PBS scripts at $25. And that’s not all, we will also give more tax cuts to every taxpayer, more energy bill relief, and make free TAFE permanent.
And locally, if re-elected as your Federal Member for Dunkley, we will:
- Upgrade the Thompson Rd and the Mornington Peninsula Freeway intersection in Carrum
- Deliver traffic signals and improve connectivity for Overton Road and Nepean Highway intersection in Frankston
- Improve signalisation of McLeod Rd and Station Street intersection in Carrum
- Upgrade Western Port Highway across Langwarrin with a $10 million investment
- Redevelop the Len Phelps Pavilion in Carrum Downs
- Upgrade Bruce Park Pavilion in Frankston, and
- Build the dome-roof at the Frankston Bowling Club
I want to continue the great work we’ve already started.
On 3 May, I ask you to vote for me, Jodie Belyea and Labor.
Lisa Abbott – Legalise Cannabis
Having lived my whole life in Dunkley and now raising my three children here, I see the incredible potential of our community. With over 20 years’ experience working in the social services sector, I understand the broad and diverse needs across our region. Dunkley is home to pockets of significant wealth sitting alongside some of the most disadvantaged areas in metropolitan Australia. For all members of our community to thrive, we need to bridge these divides and ensure everyone has the opportunity to be heard, supported, and included.
Dunkley has the capacity to lead when it comes to social and economic inclusion. I want to bring fresh thinking to the way we live and thrive — not relying on outdated systems, but by learning from forward-thinking communities and applying what works to meet Dunkley’s unique needs.
In Parliament, I will advocate for:
- A smarter, fairer approach to cannabis reform, including equitable access to medicinal cannabis, the right to grow your own, expungement of past convictions, and the development of a tax-generating cannabis industry that creates jobs
- Sensible, evidence-based policy focused on personal freedom, social justice and human rights
- Accountability for decision-makers, including addressing conflicts of interest related to Government contracts- in office and post their tenure
- Fairer, needs-based funding for homelessness, alcohol and other drug treatment, and mental health services
- Greater community education around democracy and civic participation
Locally, I will push for: - Accessible civic infrastructure in our city centre — including postal services, social services and Medicare
- Revitalisation of public spaces that promote connection and inclusion
- Recognition of Dunkley as a hub for arts, culture, and creative community events
- Place-based solutions co-designed with our community
- Support for social enterprise and local small businesses
- Fair policies that support local investors and small-scale landlords as part of the housing solution
*Editor’s note: Supplied statements from candidates are listed in the order they appear on the ballot paper. Greens candidate Matthew Maber and One Nation candidate Jessica Davis did not provide statements to The Times by publication deadline. Short biographies from their websites have been included.