Re-elected Flinders MP Zoe McKenzie has pledged to work harder this term to represent all constituents, acknowledging the significant support shown for her opponents during a tightly contested 2025 federal election on the Mornington Peninsula.
In a video posted to her official Facebook page, Ms McKenzie thanked the 47,000 voters who gave her their first preference, along with the 25,000 Labor supporters and the 24,000 who backed Independent challenger Ben Smith.
“I will take many lessons from this election—of what I personally can do better, of what my party can do better, and what the Australian Parliament can do better,” she said. “I look forward to fighting for all people of Flinders as we embark on Australia’s 48th Parliament.”
Ms McKenzie also flagged future commentary on the role of Climate 200, with claims the group provided around $2 million in financial support to Ben Smith’s campaign.
Speaking to RPP FM, Ben Smith described his campaign as having reshaped the seat of Flinders, traditionally a Liberal stronghold.
“We’ve made a real dent in the margin down here in Flinders, and I think the community should be really proud of what we’ve achieved,” he said. “That means putting pressure on our elected representatives, both local, state and federal.”
Labor candidate and former Mornington Peninsula Shire councillor Sarah Race, who was eliminated before the final count, confirmed she will run again at the next election.
“I found a great joy in campaigning because I learnt so much about our community that, even as a Councillor after four years, I hadn’t learnt,” she told RPP FM. “It’s an incredibly humbling and rewarding experience.”
The final result has placed the Flinders electorate under a renewed spotlight, with growing interest in how major parties and independent campaigns will evolve ahead of the next federal poll.
Did the outcome go as expected—or are you surprised? Leave your thoughts in the comments.
I enjoyed the campaign overall, as a supporter of Ben Smith. I learned valuable lessons and skills about how different candidates behave, and about the abuse and misinformation online and in some media.
I have been surprised how successful Ben’s campaign has been considering most people in the electorate didn’t know his name 6 months ago.
Ben acted with integrity and honesty throughout the campaign, answering questions thoughtfully, and building an informative website with lots of information.
The Flinders electorate is no longer a safe seat, it will attract much greater attention from government now.
I’d like to mention Sarah Race, who ran a great campaign also. Sarah displayed her great interest in the Mornington Peninsula community. Sarah campaigned with integrity and honesty, which was lovely to see.
I hope that people are generally better informed about what alternatives there are available to choose when voting.
I do think we need an informative forum for everyone to understand clearly how our great preferential voting system works.
I look forward to seeing how the Labor government makes positive contributions considering the overwhelming majority they have in the lower house. All eyes are on Anthony Albanese and Members of Parliament.
both Ben And sara ran a “clean” campaign and bowed out with grace. Zoe on the other hand used it as a political platform… Even Peter Dutton did not do that, give him credit for bowing out with grace, did not expect it.
Ms McKenzie also flagged future commentary on the role of Climate 200, with claims the group provided around $2 million in financial support to Ben Smith’s campaign. With no facts at all. look at who provided money to the libs and her. https://publicintegrity.org.au/political-donor-directory/?utm_source=The+Centre+for+Public+Integrity&utm_campaign=eddd8fc455-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2024_11_11_12_20_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-7740fd867f-519311448
I hope Zoe has taken time to now reflect on the fact that the majority of Australians do not want any involvement in the live animal export trade. The ban on the sheep exports will take effect thankfully but compassion should be extended now to cattle and other species.
Unfortunately, because Zoe McKenzie blocks constituents for minor things – like pointing out she votes to continue the abhorrent live export trade – then her constituents aren’t privy to her statements.
I hope Zoe McKenzie now removes the block on her constituents, so that they may follow her work.
Like others on this thread, I was very disappointed that Zoe McKenzie blocks constituents on Social Media. Particularly as this her preferred method of communicating with the electorate.
Is this even appropriate in an elected official?
I enjoyed the campaign overall, as a supporter of Ben Smith. I learned valuable lessons and skills about how different candidates behave, and about the abuse and misinformation online and in some media.
I have been surprised how successful Ben’s campaign has been considering most people in the electorate didn’t know his name 6 months ago.
Ben acted with integrity and honesty throughout the campaign, answering questions thoughtfully, and building an informative website with lots of information.
The Flinders electorate is no longer a safe seat, it will attract much greater attention from government now.
I’d like to mention Sarah Race, who ran a great campaign also. Sarah displayed her great interest in the Mornington Peninsula community. Sarah campaigned with integrity and honesty, which was lovely to see.
I hope that people are generally better informed about what alternatives there are available to choose when voting.
I do think we need an informative forum for everyone to understand clearly how our great preferential voting system works.
I look forward to seeing how the Labor government makes positive contributions considering the overwhelming majority they have in the lower house. All eyes are on Anthony Albanese and Members of Parliament.
I’ve never commented on her page and I’m blocked. ?
Arrogance
She blocked my comments on the video STPL published and none of them were insulting. She went on about climate200 donations and i just posted where people could go to look at who was contributing to the other parties. Also reminder there is not tel party. We can look to the future with her doing her best to discredit candidates in next election. Uncontested of course as she blocks any dissenting comment
The new mantra of the liberal party is ” we will be listening” In this interview available until 13 june 25 it was the answer to almost every question. My guess is that this is the response every time a difficult question is asked. A great example of what politicians are best at: “answer avoidance” https://iview.abc.net.au/video/SEGS2025105293710
Does this mean that Zoe is going to unblock everyone who she has blocked because they ask difficult question or make factual statements, Like where the liberals get their money, or is she going to continue listening only to her echo chamber?
Is she going to stop whitewashing any comments that might be tough to comment on? Like the facebook issue of the article? And her little video she put out?
Listening is the act of paying attention to and trying to understand what someone is saying. It’s a fundamental part of communication and involves receiving language through the ears, identifying sounds, and processing them into meaningful messages. Active listening involves giving the speaker your full attention, showing you are listening, providing feedback, and responding appropriately.
We will see….
youtube link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lx-4MCeSqc
Interesting: the new words coming out of the liberal mouths is “we are going to listen”. Ask them anything like the day of the week and that is the answer you will get.
Does this mean Zoe is going to listen and unblock the people she doesn’t like?
Does this mean tha Zoe is not going to whitewash comments on social media that does not match here world view? Even when the are contesting her word view in an unthreatening unslagging way? Does this mean she is going to go and unblock comments on this thread on the face book page?
HAHAHAHA