Peter Dutton has launched Nathan Conroy’s campaign for the Federal seat of Dunkley covering Melbourne’s southeastern bayside suburbs. Photo: Nathan Conroy Facebook.
Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has officially launched the campaign of the Liberal Party’s candidate for the seat of Dunkley, Nathan Conroy.
The by-election – to be held on 2 March – will fill the seat vacated by the passing of Labor’s Peta Murphy who died on 4 December 2023 after a battle with breast cancer. Mr Conroy will be running against Jodie Belyea who was announced as Labor’s candidate on 11 January.
The seat includes the Melbourne southeastern bayside suburbs of Frankston, Langwarrin, Seaford, Carrum Downs, Sandhurst and Mount Eliza on the upper Mornington Peninsula.
Mr Dutton described the 31-year-old Mr Conroy as a “local champion”. Mr Conroy was elected to the Frankston City Council in 2020, initially serving as deputy mayor and, since 2021 three years as mayor. He moved to Australia from Ireland in 2012, studied a Masters of Business Administration at Swinburne University, and has an Australian-born wife and a son.
“Nathan has an incredible backstory, and every Australian should know it,” Mr Dutton said at the launch.
“The people of Dunkley have really come to appreciate it – not just as their local mayor, but as a father, as a husband, as somebody who has given everything to this country in his short time here.
“He speaks with a funny accent – it’s a great accent,” he added. “He tells a good joke, but I’ll tell you what, if you want somebody who can work hard for the local community, if you want a champion to represent this local community in Canberra, if that’s what this by-election is about, we have the perfect candidate.”
Mr Dutton said the community had voted him to be mayor because they knew he had the plan and he was rolling it out for his local community.
“In my experience, somebody who has demonstrated that leadership capability is exactly the candidate you want as your local member in the Federal Parliament,” Mr Dutton said.
“You don’t want somebody who’s coming there with their own interests in mind. You don’t want somebody coming there just because they’re popular in the local branch, or for any other reason than to be a representative, a proud representative, a strong champion for the local community,” he added.
“That is why I believe this man can be the next Member for Dunkley.”
While recognising Peta Murphy’s contribution in the seat, Mr Conroy said he would always listen and would work hard to ensure the community remained a wonderful place to live, work, raise a family and retire.
“I wish it wasn’t in such sad circumstances,” he said. “Peta Murphy was both fearless and tireless in advocating for her community.
“I love this community,” he added. “It’s a privilege to serve as Mayor of Frankston City. But there is so much more to be done to deliver for this community and that’s why I’ve put myself forward for Dunkley.”
