Voices online to ‘restore participatory democracy’
MP News - September 27, 2021
By Keith Platt
“HIDDEN” political donations and the high number of lobbyists given access to federal parliament were high on the list of topics covered by an online Q&A organised by Voices for Mornington Peninsula.
VMP says it will choose an independent candidate to contest the seat of Flinders at the next federal election.
Voices’ raise concern among Liberals
MP News -September 6, 2021
By Keith Platt
THE Voices of Mornington Peninsula group says any Australian Electoral Commission investigation into its financial sources would reveal an organisation “funded entirely by kind-hearted and frustrated locals who are disillusioned with party politics”.
The response followed reports last week that federal Liberals had asked the AEC to make sure grassroots groups calling themselves “Voices for” or “Voices of” are obeying finance rules.
Electoral Commission urged to probe funding of ‘Voices for’ movements
Sydney Morning Herald September 2, 2021
By Rob Harris
The elections watchdog is being urged to investigate the source of financial donations and political intent of rising grassroots movements that are pushing to oust dozens of federal Coalition MPs at the next election.
There are more than 40 community groups across Australia, typically named “Voices of” or “Voices for” that are searching for or have endorsed independent candidates to front their campaigns at the next federal poll.
Health minister Greg Hunt facing grassroots challenge in Flinders
The Sydney Morning Herald
By James Massola
Health Minister Greg Hunt faces a challenge to hold onto his seat of Flinders as a campaign to find an independent candidate gathers pace.
The push is being led by Voices of Mornington Peninsula, a community group searching for a challenger to Mr Hunt, with nominations closing on August 15.
Fresh headache for Greg Hunt as grassroots campaign sets sights on his seat
By Noel Towell
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt faces a community-led attempt to defeat him in his Mornington Peninsula electorate at the next election, using the campaign model that ended the political career of former prime minister Tony Abbott two years ago.
Voices of Mornington Peninsula will launch its push to unseat Mr Hunt on Saturday with an online forum featuring two big political names – former Liberal leader John Hewson and retired independent MP Cathy McGowan.