Forum quizzes Corangamite candidates

THE Bellarine community has heard from most of the eight contenders for the seat of Corangamite at next week’s federal election.

On Tuesday last week, the Point Lonsdale Civic Association (PLCA), Queenscliffe Community Association, Barwon Heads Association, St Leonards Progress Association, Ocean Grove Community Association, Portarlington Community Association, Drysdale Clifton Springs Curlewis Association, and the Combined Bellarine Community Associations hosted a “Meet the Candidates Forum” at Point Lonsdale Primary School.

The forum drew a crowd of about 100 people, who heard from Libby Coker (Labor), Mitch Pope (Greens), Kate Lockhart (Independent), Paul Barker (Libertarian Party), Colin Seabrook (One Nation) and James Jackson (Trumpet of Patriots).

Harley Mackenzie (Legalise Cannabis Party) was not there but sent a closing statement to be read out, and PLCA secretary Laurie Muscat said Darcy Dunstan (Liberals) had earlier stated he was unable to attend due to a busy schedule.

The 40-minute moderated Q&A session at the forum covered a range of topics, including climate change, insurance coverage for properties in low-lying coastal areas, health and hospitals, energy generation and green energy, conflict in the Middle East, Alfred Deakin’s holiday home in Point Lonsdale “Ballara”, foreign policy into the future, housing affordability, and the environment.

“The PLCA would like to thank all the candidates for conducting themselves in a respectful manner, participating in considered debate, and finally also thank all the other community associations who partnered to put on this event,” Mr Muscat said.