IT’S being called the great debate – New England candidates are going head-to-head and you’ll have your chance to get involved.
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The Leader has partnered with 88.9FM, NBN and the NSW Business Chamber to put on a debate with all the New England candidates, which will be broadcast live from the Capitol Theatre on Tuesday, June 21.
Radio 88.9FM chief executive officer George Frame said it would be the only debate of its type in regional Australia.
He encouraged voters to come along to the debate and said they would have the opportunity to ask the candidates questions directly.
“Locals want clear and defined answers from the candidates on issues of local importance,” Mr Frame said.
The debate, which broadcasts live on 88.9FM from 12.15pm to 1.15pm, will be moderated by Tamworth regional councillor Tim Coates. Candidates will be allowed a fivemminute opening statement, which will be followed by questions from media representatives and then questions from the floor.
Deputy Prime Minister and New England MP Barnaby Joyce said he would reinforce his aim of continuing to put the people of New England in a better position.
“The future of this electorate is about the future of our children and grandchildren,” Mr Joyce said.
Tony Windsor said while new issues may pop up by the time the debate rolls around, he would focus on the issues he’s been running on.
“NBN, Gonski funding, climate change, renewable energy, agriculture and protecting ground water – they’re all very important issues,” Mr Windsor said.
Armidale-based independent Rob Taber said he was keen to speak about agriculture and the environment.
“I’m also concentrating on all the little the issues, right from the top of the electorate down to Scone, including the places that are being forgotten about at the moment,” Mr Taber said.
Greens candidate Mercurius Goldstein said his party was serious about protecting land and water, sustainable agriculture and supporting local farmers and workers.
“New England issues are national issues and New England Greens’ voters are the most important voters in this election because their preferences will decide who goes to Canberra on July 3,” Mr Goldstein said.
Country Labor candidate David Ewings said the debate would give voters a great opportunity to hear from each of the candidates on school funding and the future of Medicare.
“Both of these are earmarked to be cut under a re-elected Turnbull government,” Mr Ewings said.
Armidale lawyer, Philip Cox, recently announced he would be standing as an independent and said New England voters had the “chance to determine the destine of our great nation”.
“New England voters, all 100,000 of them, have the chance to send a message to the government that they want either a future in coal or they truly want to participate in the 21st century by saving the environment and the livelihood of our farmers,” Mr Cox said.
