Forum to probe election candidates on climate and coastal protection

WANNON’S election hopefuls will be grilled on a wide range of issues including environmental concerns such as climate pollution and fossil fuel extraction at a candidates’ forum in Aireys Inlet next week.

Independent candidate Alex Dyson, Greens candidate Kate Gazzard and Labor candidate Fiona Mackenzie are each set to attend, but incumbent Wannon Liberal MP Dan Tehan, who has held the seat since 2010, is an apology along with several other candidates.

The event will be hosted by the Surf Coast branch of the Surfrider Foundation, with the aim of fostering a “two-way conversation” between each of the candidates and the local community on the topics that are important to them.

President John Foss said there had been a lack of discussion around environmental issues through the federal election campaign so far and the organisation was hoping to put those issues back in the spotlight.

“Wannon’s a really interesting one. There’s a lot of people down there with really strong interest in protecting the coast and protecting the environment and protecting the ocean, and we all know about all the seismic blasting issues that have arisen down there over the years,” he said.

“Surfrider’s really putting an emphasis this election on encouraging people to vote for the coast.

“Right around Australia, we’re encouraging people who love the coast, whether its surfers, fishermen, people who might just go for a walk and swim, really just to have a look at all of the parties, all of their policies, and just work out what really works for you in terms of who do you think is going to be doing the best job of protecting our coasts.”

The community will also have a chance to direct their own questions to the attending candidates on the night, with Mr Foss encouraging everyone to come along and participate.

“Elections don’t come around all that often and it’s really rare to catch candidates in a room where you can actually sit there and talk to them and listen and ask questions about what their policies are,” he said.

“It will give you the first-hand opportunity – and really also the last opportunity in the election – to directly talk with candidates in Wannon seat in the forthcoming federal election.”

The forum is free to attend and will be held on Wednesday, April 30 at the Aireys Inlet Community Hall. Doors will open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start.

Registrations are encouraged and can be made through Eventbrite via bit.ly/3YayNi8