Community Independent candidate for Corangamite, Kate Lockhart, has criticised the Liberal Party’s recent $2 million bike path pledge as a “classic pre-election media stunt,” urging voters not to be misled by what she described as a repackaging of an old promise.
“It’s great to see strong support for bike infrastructure in our region,” said Lockhart. “A safe, dedicated path connecting Torquay to Armstrong Creek is something many locals – myself included – have long supported. It’s in line with our community’s vision for safer, more sustainable transport options.”
However, Lockhart argues the timing and presentation of the announcement are misleading. “Let’s be very clear: the $2 million announced is not new money given to us by the Liberal Party. This is taxpayers’ money. Our money,” she said. “And this particular bike path has been on the drawing board for years.”
Lockhart accused the Liberals of engaging in “sneaky, sleight-of-hand politics,” claiming the re-announcement was more about headlines than helping the community.
“We need to move beyond this old game where decisions are made based on timing and headlines, not genuine community need or long-term strategy,” she said.
As an Independent, Lockhart said she would take a different approach to infrastructure planning. “I won’t be throwing money at a bike path, then go missing till the next election cycle,” she said. “I’ll be working with the community to take a proper look at all the missing cycling links in our region, be consultative, strategic and prioritise based on need.”
She also called for better public transport options and safer access to schools and sports grounds. “This isn’t just about weekend riders,” she said. “In the Bellarine, the Drysdale Sports and Education Precinct is another area that needs to be strategically connected to keep kids moving safely between school, sports and home.”
Lockhart called for voters to support leadership with “integrity and genuine representation.”
“Let’s support active transport because it makes our communities healthier and more connected. Let’s not fall for a cheap and inauthentic stunt to secure strategic votes in the election.”
More information about Kate Lockhart’s election campaign can be found on www.katelockhart.au
Volunteers fight for Corangamite’s ‘Independence Day’
More than 50 volunteers across the Bellarine, Surf Coast and Geelong have spent the past weeks walking the streets of local towns to deliver flyers for Community Independent candidate Kate Lockhart, ahead of pre-polling opening on Tuesday 22 April across the Corangamite electorate.
These volunteers are supporting Kate to amplify community concerns on climate change, improve integrity and transparency in government decision-making, and push for greater equity for women and children across education, sport, housing and employment.
So far, they’ve distributed over 25,000 flyers promoting an independent voice for Corangamite in the Federal Parliament – a voice not bound by party lines, but informed by the people of the electorate, making each vote a conscious and community-focused vote in Canberra.
There are currently seven Community Independents in the House of Representatives. There are 34 other candidates running for this Federal Election around Australia.
These Corangamite locals hope Kate will join this growing group of hardworking independents who have already been making a real difference – improving policy outcomes and bringing more balance and equity to Australian politics.
Ms Lockhart’s campaign is powered by a true grassroots effort, fuelled by $20,000 in local donations – from people who believe politics can and should be done differently.
Contrary to popular assumption, Voices of Corangamite has not received any funding from Climate 200, though it aligns with the values of the broader Community Independents movement.
The group proudly supports the movement and has promoted it through public screenings of ‘No Safe Seat’ around the Bellarine Peninsula – with one final showing happening this Wednesday 23 April 2025 at 6:30pm at TIA, Price Street, Torquay.
“This is a battle between truth and science, and power and lies.”
~ Senator Sheldon Whitehouse
“The overwhelming presence and influence of these fake accounts point to a deliberate attempt to distort public opinion, drown out authentic voices, and manipulate the political conversation on social media.”
→ The New Daily – 21 April 2025:
Bots are influencing election discussion on social media
“A flood of fake social media profiles inundating political discussion and reaching millions of Australians during an election campaign has sparked warnings of a growing threat.”