Jodie Belyea named candidate for Dunkley, Victoria by-election after death of Peta Murphy

Jodie Belyea named candidate for Dunkley, Victoria by-election after death of Peta Murphy
  • PublishedJanuary 11, 2024

Ms Belyea most recently worked to help women into studying with the MEGT Foundation, and in 2018 founded the Women’s Spirit Project, a volunteer-led group in Frankston that supports vulnerable women through health and wellbeing programs.

“I’m a Frankston mum,” Ms Belyea said.

“I am not a career politician. I am not interested in playing politics. What I am interested in is creating a community that works together.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Ms Belyea was Labor’s pick to build on the legacy created by the late Ms Murphy in the Mornington Peninsula community south-east of Melbourne.

“Jodie will be a voice in government for this community, and this community, which is a growing one, needs a voice in government,” Mr Albanese said.

Ms Belyea said she was recruited to Labor by Ms Murphy, who she called a “talented and passionate” advocate for the people of Dunkley.

Ms Murphy died of breast cancer in December and was remembered as an empathetic and intelligent MP who was respected on both sides of politics.

Ms Belyea said she wanted to continue Ms Murphy’s work.

“I am not necessarily going to be Peta, but I am going to lean into her legacy. I have big shoes to fill,” she said.

Dunkley by-election not a sure thing for Labor

The seat of Dunkley has been held by Labor since Ms Murphy won it in 2019. She increased her majority at the 2022 election.

It includes Frankston and the surrounding suburbs of Langwarrin, Seaford, Carrum Downs, Sandhurst and Mount Eliza.

It was picked up by Labor after the seat’s boundaries were redrawn, but before that had been held by the Liberal Party since 1996.

Labor retained the seat on a 6.3 per cent margin at the last election, which would put that seat in the “safe” category, though ABC election analyst Antony Green notes few who know the area would consider it safe for Labor.

Labor’s support has declined since the 2022 election and swings against the government in a by-election are common.

Mr Albanese did not dismiss that Labor would have to work to retain the seat.

“Every election is one where you have to advocate for every single vote, and that’s what we will be doing,” he said.

The Speaker is yet to set a date for the by-election.

SOURCE: ABCNEWS

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