BATHURST MP Paul Toole will be a no-show at tonight's hastily arranged candidates' forum due to a clash with another engagement.
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Stuart Driver will chair the forum that was put together as a chance for working people who may have missed the Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association's forum - held at 10am on Thursday, March 7 - to hear from candidates and ask them questions directly.
Mr Driver said five candidates were confirmed for the forum - Labor's Beau Riley, Brenden May from the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party, The Greens' David Harvey, Keep Sydney Open's Tim Hansen and Michael Begg from Sustainable Australia - but Mr Toole confirmed to the Western Advocate that he would not be joining them.
A number of candidates started discussing a forum late last week but Mr Toole said he was not informed about it until Monday afternoon.
"Due to the short notice given I'm an apology for the forum due to another engagement," Mr Toole said.
"When we have an election coming up I plan out my last fortnight well in advance.
"I've been putting my policies out in newspapers, flyers and on radio for a long time now so people know what I stand for.
"And if people want to find me I've been outside the early voting centre for the past few days and I will be there tomorrow and Friday as well."
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Mr Driver said it was disappointing Mr Toole would not be at the forum but he was looking forward to an informative night even without him.
"We would have like Paul to come along but we will go ahead without him," he said.
Mr Driver could not predict what size crowd would be in attendance.
"I've had a couple of calls from people who intend asking questions but we will have to wait and see."
The candidates' forum will be at the Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre at 7pm for 7.30pm tonight (Wednesday).
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