Quiz the Corangamite candidates on refugees

CORANGAMITE voters will have the opportunity to ask candidates about asylum seeker and refugee policy in a forum in Torquay next week.

The “Meet the Candidates Q&A” is being organised by the local Rural Australians for Refugees groups and Geelong’s Combined Refugee Action Group (CRAG) and all candidates standing for Corangamite at the coming election have been invited.

As of Tuesday this week, organisers say Libby Coker (ALP), Simon Northeast (Australian Greens) and Damien Cole (independent) have confirmed their attendance.

“The refugee issue is a crucial issue in this election and a matter that is very important to many of the voters in this seat,”Q&A moderator and Aireys Inlet RAR convenor Mary Bremner said.

“Given that Corangamite is such a marginal seat, refugee policy could make a real difference to the outcome.”

In the spirit of the ABC’s Q&A program and to ensure broad discussion and interaction, audience members will be able to pre-submit questions for inclusion in the night’s conversation. People are asked to email their question to [email protected] by tomorrow (Friday, April 19).

The evening will begin with a brief presentation by each candidate.

Voters across the seat who are interested in refugee policy will have a chance to hear firsthand about party policies relating to offshore detention, medical transfers on advice of doctors, independent review processes, family reunions, annual refugee intakes, and detention timelines and conditions.

“This is democracy at its best,” CRAG’s Katherine Jenkins said.

“The evening provides the chance to listen, ask questions and think about policies before casting your vote on election day.

“Refugee advocacy groups play an important role when they facilitate these types of discussions.”

The Meet the Candidates Q&A will be held at Spring Creek Reserve pavilion on Tuesday, April 23 from 7.30pm.

Supper will be provided and admission is free.