Chelsea • Mordialloc • Mentone
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Wednesday 12 August 2026
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Richardson takes local government reigns Cameron McCullough cameron@baysidenews.com.au
EDITHVALE-Aspendale wouldn’t losen their grip on Mornington in MPFNL Division One Seniors, running out 54-point winners on Saturday. See ‘The Scoreboard’ - Page 16 - for more sport. Picture: Alan Dillon
MEMBER for Mordialloc, Tim Richardson has, for the first time, been elevated to state cabinet under new Premier Ben Carroll, and been allocated the portfolio of Minister for Local Government. Richardson, who lives in Chelsea, will now assume responsibility for the effective running of local governments across the state including the problem-plagued City of Kingston council. State government-appointed monitors overseeing Kingston Council have been in place since 2025, with their term initially planned to finish on 31 December 2025, before being extended. Then, in a decision that blindsided some at Kingston Counci, their term was extended for a second time. A media release issued by council at 1pm on 30 June read that the municipal monitors were “finalising work at Kingston”, only for an updated media release to be issued hours later confirming that they were set to stay (Kingston Council monitors set to
stay, The News 7/7/26). The monitors’ term is now scheduled to end on 14 August, allowing them to remain at council until the finalisation of the results for the Melaleuca Ward by-election. The two monitors are paid for by Kingston ratepayers at a cost of more than $1000 a day. The decision to re-appoint the monitors sparked a flurry of activity on social media. Deputy mayor Sarah O’Donnell posted “I wish I had a clear answer but I don’t! Zero clarity and as an elected councillor representing the City of Kingston I have not received any information informing me as to why this has happened. I will keep you informed as I can. “My absolute apologies to all Kingston residents, you deserve better, we all do. The VEC are responsible for the by-election, not monitors!” A further challenge for Richardson in his new role is the discovery of “administrative errors” in invoices submitted by one of the monitors, John Tanner. Continued Page 6
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LEADING WITH CONVICTION, SERVING WITH COMPASSION
Ann-Marie Hermans MP Member for South Eastern Metropolitan Region Shadow Assistant Minister for Community Safety
Suite 1 / 31 Princes Highwy, Dandenong VIC 3175 ann-marie.hermans@parliament.vic.gov.au 03 9794 7667 Ann-MarieHermans.com.au AnnMarieHermansMP Authorised by Ann-Marie Hermans MP, 1/31 Princes Highway, Dandenong VIC 3175