By JESSE GRAHAM
EILDON constituents put burning questions to their candidates last week, in a special candidates forum that featured raised voices, strong words and answers to important questions.
The forum was held at Healesville’s Darron Honey Centre at the Uniting Church on Wednesday 22 October, and around 50 people attended to put questions to their candidates.
Seymour MP and Liberal candidate Cindy McLeish, Labor candidate Sally Brennan, Greens candidate Marie Sellstrom and Independent candidate Bruce Argyle attended the forum.
Many of the questions on the evening centred on the environment, and each of the candidates were in unison that climate change was an important issue, though they were divided on their approach in tackling it.
Ms Sellstrom reaffirmed her party’s commitment to establishing a Great Forest National Park (GFNP) in the central highlands area if elected, which she said would help through storage of carbon.
Ms Brennan said that the GFNP offered a “huge opportunity”, but did not indicate support on either side of the issue and said more discussions should take place.
“One thing is for sure – we’ve got to get it right, or we’re going to lose way too much that we cannot replace, and we’ve got to do it soon,” she said.
Ms McLeish told the audience of her own personal track-record on environmentally-friendly household practices, and officially ruled out supporting the GFNP campaign.
Mr Argyle called for better leadership in the country on climate change, which he called a serious issue for the electorate, and one that needed more work.
Though the candidates were divided on some of the raised issues, they showed bipartisan support for alleviating issues such as homelessness, child sexual abuse and domestic violence and the use of crystal methamphetamine (ice) in the area.
Ms McLeish faced heavy criticism from attendees on the night, with many questions directed specifically to the MP about her government’s last four years in power.
Moderator, Reverend Jennie Gordon, stepped in repeatedly to remind audience members not to jeer, interject, or use hurtful words in their questions.
Save Healesville Hospital Action Group (SHHAG) member, Bev Schmolling, asked Ms McLeish what she had done to further the cause of an independent business case study into the Healesville Hospital – which the group accused the government of stonewalling.
Ms McLeish replied that she had been on the phone weekly to the Health Minister’s office, and that she believed a terms-of-use contract was being signed off for important data in the study last week.
“It has not been held up,” she said.
Ms Brennan and Mr Argyle, both of whom have spoken on the subject, were not allowed to reply, as the question was directed to Ms McLeish.
One of the final questions on the night asked the candidates for one goal their party would like to achieve during their tenure, that their constituents could measure them on in four years’ time.
Ms Brennan said that she would like to address the level of disadvantage in the community, while Ms Sellstrom’s goal was the establishment of the Great Forest National Park.
Ms McLeish said she would like to increase prosperity in the area, through creating jobs and supporting small businesses.
Mr Argyle told the Mail he did not answer the question on the night, as it was directed specifically to members of parties, but later said he wanted to represent the Eildon community with integrity if elected.
Each of the candidates said they would wait until 14 November before announcing their preferences for the 29 November election, except for Mr Argyle, who said his preferences would be “straight down the middle”.
Nationals candidate Jim Child was unable to attend, due to work in his role as a Yarra Ranges councillor, while Australian Country Alliance’s Jeffrey Leake did not attend.
Ms Gordon said that Independent candidate, Wirrun Sky, announced his withdrawal from the election campaign on the day of the forum.
Members of the timber industry and bush user groups are holding a meet the candidates evening at Healesville Football Club at the Don Road Sporting Complex on Thursday 30 October from 6pm for a 7pm start.
For a report on the event, see next week’s Mail.
