FOUR of Ballarat\u2019s eight Federal election candidates gathered at the Ballarat Central Uniting Church to discuss their policies and answer questions in anticipation of 21 May vote.<\/p>\n
Those present included Federal Member for Ballarat, Catherine King, Greens candidate John Barnes, independent Alex Graham, and the Australian Federation Party\u2019s Kerryn Sedgman. Notably missing from the discussion was Liberal\u2019s Ben Green.<\/p>\n
BCUC\u2019s former council chair Adri Stickland chaired the night, introducing the candidates and steering the proceedings of each topic.<\/p>\n
Candidates were asked to clarify their positions on the issues of climate change and government integrity.<\/p>\n
Following these topics, attendees were invited to pose questions, which ranged from matters around educational funding to asylum seekers to healthcare.<\/p>\n
Fiona Christie asked the candidates about their policies regarding the coordination of government in response to climate change, and said she felt her topic was well-responded to.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought it was excellent, and it was brilliant to hear some of the candidates responding to some of the questions fully and talking about some of the issues they thought were important going forward,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was very professionally-organised as well. The convenor did a brilliant job, and handled it incredibly well.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt would have been good to have had more people from the LNP attending because we certainly have a lot of questions for them too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Resident Les George said although the event was well-run, there wasn\u2019t enough variation between the topics and the candidates.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was only four here and they were all the same. No one disagreed,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI like to look at different views. I look at FOX, and I look at the ABC, because you never get the one group and opinion.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was a disappointing part, that there wasn\u2019t the full range. I would\u2019ve preferred if everyone showed up.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
FOUR of Ballarat\u2019s eight Federal election candidates gathered at the Ballarat Central Uniting Church to discuss their policies and answer questions in anticipation of 21 May vote. Those present included Federal Member for Ballarat, Catherine King, Greens candidate John Barnes, independent Alex Graham, and the Australian Federation Party\u2019s Kerryn Sedgman. Notably missing from the discussion […]<\/p>\n