WITH the Federal election looming, the community is being invited to the Ballarat Central Uniting Church to take part in a candidate debate aiming to inform voters about their choices on 21 May.<\/p>\n
The event, set for tomorrow, Thursday 5 May, is being organised by the the church\u2019s social justice committee, and former BCUC council chairwoman Adri Stickland will serve as moderator.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis night is being run so that people will be able to make informed decisions and act with information,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe aren\u2019t telling people who to vote for, but we want them to do so with responsible intent.\u201d<\/p>\n
Member for Ballarat, Catherine King, and the city\u2019s Greens candidate John Barnes will be present to speak to residents about their policies on climate change and political integrity as well as local issues.<\/p>\n
Eight candidates have been invited, and Ms Stickland said she hopes to get as many of them as possible involved in the discussion.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want the people who turn up to at least feel that at least they\u2019ve been heard if they\u2019ve got a specific question,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The night will be themed around the church\u2019s election document, Our Vision for a Just Australia, which Ms Stickland said outlines their key issues for the country.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlthough we want to keep even-minded, there\u2019s concern for integrity and accountability, the responsible response to climate change and decisions about people in need,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The forum will run from 5.30pm to 7pm at the Ballarat Central Uniting Church, 103 Lydiard Street South and will be streamed live on the Ballarat Times Facebook page.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
WITH the Federal election looming, the community is being invited to the Ballarat Central Uniting Church to take part in a candidate debate aiming to inform voters about their choices on 21 May. The event, set for tomorrow, Thursday 5 May, is being organised by the the church\u2019s social justice committee, and former BCUC council […]<\/p>\n