THE crowd failed to warm to either of the representatives of the two major parties at a meet the Calare candidates forum held yesterday.
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While there were no real jeers, there were no cheers either.
Those who fared best with the pensioners, superannuants and other members of the voting public were the candidates who were not aligned with Labor or the Coalition.
The forum, held at the Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre, was hosted by the Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association.
The speakers were Andrew Gee (Nationals), Dr Jess Jennings (Labor), Rod Bloomfield (Nick Xenophon Party), Delanie Sky (Greens), Bernie Gesling (Christian Democrats) and independent Anthony Craig.
Mr Gee – who has quit as the state Member for Orange to run for federal parliament – told the crowd that it was his faith in country communities that drew him to stand for the state seat originally.
He said for him the key issues for Calare were roads, the long-talked-about Bells Line Expressway, and manufacturing.
“I think we need a national manufacturing strategy,” he said. “We should consider zonal taxation to encourage people to move to regional areas.”
Dr Jennings said Labor had already published 100 positive policies, but chose to speak about one of them, the National Broadband Network, in a detailed way.
Speaking mostly on a national level, he gave a list of ideas he said Labor had come up with, and the government had stolen and ruined, including the NBN, Gonski, superannuation reform, climate change initiatives, and a tax avoidance crackdown.
He wants to see a national Agriculture, Food and Fibre Plan, an energy audit and a manufacturing and tourism strategy in Calare.
Mr Bloomfield said it was not about left or right wing politics, but what was fair.
He talked about the time he spent working in broadcast with former Member for Calare, the late Peter Andren.
“Ever since we lost Pete I’ve thought about running for this seat,” he said.
“I don’t want to be a politician. They get caught up in the big numbers and arguments with the opposing party. I want to represent.
“Calare needs a fighter to bully the government into giving us our fair share.”
Ms Sky said the Greens want to ensure the pension system is fair.
“And like you, I want Medicare to remain as it is and also include dental care,” she said. “We all have the right to live a healthy life.”
Ms Sky also spoke of job security, sustainable agriculture and a commitment to deliver quality health care.
Mr Gesling admitted he lived outside the electorate but was standing to ensure the Christian voice was heard.
He said as an elected member he would be committed to creating more jobs, better education, improved health, tax reform and border security.
Mr Craig said he was an aged care nurse and that both major parties had agreed to cut aged care.
“If you’ve got anyone in aged care you should be worried,” he said.
“If you want a candidate to stand up and fight for you in federal parliament, you need an independent,” he said.
Yesterday’s forum started to get interesting as some heated questions were put to the candidates.
Gary McCauley asked Nationals candidate Andrew Gee about his run for the federal seat triggering a by-election in the state seat of Orange.
“Why should we give you a pay rise when you leave us in debt for a by-election we don’t need?” he asked.
Mr Gee replied he had no previous warning that former Member for Calare John Cobb was going to retire.
He said he took the decision seriously, and in the end he had to consider the benefit for Calare in having strong advocacy.
Mr Gee said he believed the cost of a by-election in Orange would be paid back in spades in Calare.
“If someone strongly objects, they will have the opportunity to say so at the ballot box,” Mr Gee said.
Paul Haysom accused Mr Gee of having a totally dysfunctional relationship with Orange City Council.
He asked if the people of Calare could expect Mr Gee to destroy good working relationships with hostile, unproductive and negative relations with all the councils across Calare.
Mr Gee said when people looked at his track record they would see he had five years of working with councils and communities.
“Sure, I’ve had some differences with Orange City Council, but the runs are on the board at the end of the day,” he said.
Max Stuart asked all candidates if they were going to support the freeze on Medicare payments.
Mr Bloomfield, Ms Sky, Dr Jennings and Mr Craig all said they did not support changes to Medicare, while Mr Gee said Medicare was frozen in 2014, was due to be unfrozen in 2018 and would now be kept on ice until 2020.
“If I had my way that wouldn’t be the case, but it’s an effect of the budget,” he said.
A crowd of close to 150 attended the forum, much to the delight of Bathurst Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association president John Hollis.
He said he felt everyone got to know the candidates a bit better and it was good to see some vigorous debate.