Election candidates go head-to-head in Swan Hill forum

A PASSIONATE crowd packed into Swan Hill Town Hall to hear first hand from federal election candidates for the seat of Mallee.

Five of the eight candidates attended The Guardian’s election forum, outlining their priorities before answering questions from the floor.

Key issues such as water, local infrastructure, roads, housing, a federal ICAC and cost of living dominated the debate.

Incumbent Anne Webster started off the night presenting the Nationals priorities as she seeks to continue the party’s dominance in the ultra-safe Mallee seat.

Independent candidates Sophie Baldwin from Cohuna, Claudia Haenel from Horsham, Lake Boga’s Chris Lahy for the Citizens Party, in his fifth attempt at the seat, and Swan Hill local and United Australia Party candidate Stuart King also outline key policy platforms.

Dr Webster and Mr King were asked specifically about the progress of the Swan Hill bridge, with Dr Webster confirming that $60 million of federal funding is on the table but that heritage listing issues between the states continued to be a battle. Mr King said, if elected,the UAP would commit $300 million to get this completed.

Local resident Helen Tuntar then asked Dr Webster what the Coalition government was specifically doing for refugees.

Dr Webster responded that she had been advocating over three years for refugees including multiple letters and meetings.

She said that the policy of both the Coalition and Labor currently is to support sovereign borders, and commented that no one wanted a return to boat smuggling, which elicited boos from the crowd.

All remaining candidates were supportive of bringing refugees into the community, particularly reuniting the local Afghan community with their families.

A number of audience questions related to preferences. Both Independents confirmed they had no preferences, while UAP and the Citizens Party candidates confirmed that their polling preferences were not yet released.

Dr Webster’s preferences are available publicly, with Mr King her second preference followed by the One Nation candidate Vanessa Atkinson, with the Greens candidate Sam McColl last.

Ms Haenel claimed in her opening address to be the “standalone community independent”, accusing Ms Baldwin of having a “vested interest” as she had been the chief executive of Southern Riverina Irrigators in 2020.

Ms Baldwin denied this, claiming she was simply a candidate representing farming families.

The three absent candidates were Labor’s Carole Hart, One Nation’s Vanessa Atkinson and the Green’s Sam McColl.

Ms Hart and Mr McColl were confirmed as candidates for Mallee 10 days into the election campaign, while Queensland beauty therapist Ms Atkinson’s candidature has only been confirmed in the last week as she was parachuted in to fulfil One Nation’s aim of having a candidate for each seat.

Ararat-based Mr McColl had a statement read at The Guardian forum, as he was unable to attend due to work commitments.

“I will be watching the live stream back tomorrow, and if people have anything they would like to ask me I am always happy to respond,” Mr McColl said.

The Guardian’s livestream is available to view on Facebook.