Forum to quiz Corangamite candidates

Extreme weather conditions have already battered Australia over the past six months, impacting residents and businesses with flood and wind damage. Photo: BIANCA DE MARCHI/AAP IMAGE

CONTENDERS for the federal seat of Corangamite will be quizzed on their environmental credentials in a public event to be held today (Thursday, March 24).

The Corangamite Climate Alliance says incumbent Labor MP Libby Coker, Liberal candidate Stephanie Asher, Greens candidate Alex Marshall and Animal Justice Party candidate Meg Watkins have all confirmed their attendance at the Corangamite Climate Change Response Forum, and are awaiting confirmation from other candidates.

“The area stands to gain profound economic opportunities from job creation in renewable energy manufacturing, if we are given the right support from the federal government,” said Laura Grufus, local organiser of Australian Parents for Climate Action, which is part of the Corangamite Climate Alliance.

“We have a job-ready workforce here with the skills and background to embrace renewable energy technology manufacture – from manufacture of electric vehicles to batteries and solar panels, our valued tradespeople and vicinity to shipping ports makes us a prime candidate for being leaders in the changing global markets.

“But we also stand to lose from the significant impacts of climate change if our federal government does not take adequate climate action. Extreme weather conditions have already battered our area over the past six months, impacting residents and businesses with flood and wind damage. Significant coastal erosion and sea level rise is another huge risk to our community.

“That’s why we need to know what our local federal election candidates will do to address both the risks of climate change and how they will harness and drive local opportunities for a cleaner, stronger economy.

“We invite our community to attend – to get informed and inspired about the future we can create with strong federal leadership.”

The Corangamite Climate Change Response Forum will be held at the Peter Thwaites Theatre at Deakin University’s Waurn Ponds campus today (Thursday, March 24) from 6.30-8pm.

To book your tickets, head to Trybooking.