RESIDENTS will hear the candidates for the seat of Calare speak at a special candidates’ forum in June.
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For many years the Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association (CPSA) has held a meet the candidates’ forum prior to state and federal elections.
CPSA president John Hollis said only candidates for the Lower House in each parliament are invited to speak.
Each candidate will be given five minutes to speak and, at the end, 20 minutes will be allocated for questions.
Mr Hollis said members of the public were invited to join CPSA members at Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre at 10am on Thursday, June 2.
The five candidates for Calare have been invited: Andrew Gee (Nationals), Jess Jennings (Labor), Rod Bloomfield (Nick Xenophon), Delanie Sky (Greens) and Anthony Craig (Independent).
Dr Jennings and Ms Sky have already indicated they will attend, but Mr Hollis is hopeful all candidates will make themselves available.
He said everyone benefits because candidates get to state their case and voters get to see how they present themselves, perform under pressure and learn what their platforms are.
“A forum like this is valuable because it’s important to raise awareness of political issues,” Mr Hollis said.
“Bathurst people will have the opportunity to challenge all candidates on what they will do for us locally.”
A morning tea will follow the forum which will allow voters to mix socially with the candidates and speak with them on a one-on-one basis.
Mr Hollis said the candidates’ forum was always very well attended by CPSA members and members of the public.
There is no need to book a seat, just turn up on the morning.
The CPSA has 160 members who are either pensioners or self-funded retirees.
Consequently, they are sure to have plenty of questions for the candidates about how older citizens will be treated by them if they are elected.