Environment Top Priority at Candidates Forum

By Janie Jordan

Robust questions on the environment, including Adani, water, coal mining and CSG drilling dominated the Candidates’ Forum held in Murrurundi on Tuesday evening at the CWA Rooms.

Adam Blakehurst, Julie Collins, Yvonne Langenberg, Natasha Ledger and Tony Lonergan (Rob Taber out of shot). Photo: Leslie Wand.

In a packed room of nearly 60 people from many parts of the Upper Hunter and Liverpool Plains, including Scone, Quirindi and Aberdeen, six of the eight candidates standing in the seat of New England fielded questions on the need for covered coal trains, on drilling and fracking, the Adani mine in Queensland, water security, the effectiveness of independents, balancing economic development with environment management and the lack of trust and accountability within the current political system.

The candidates overwhelmingly supported a move to renewables and a transition to clean energy with clear targets.

Independent Candidate, Adam Blakester called for a National Commission for water to investigate “ghost water”, while Julie Collins, from the Christian Democrats Party said that the electorate needed policies to “survive in a warmer world” and in a “hotter and drier” Australia.

Governance was another hot issue with questions on the current political climate of mistrust with candidates calling for culture change, an “upgrade in democracy” and an audit of elected officials. The need for a Federal ICAC and a code of conduct for politicians that addresses both finances and behaviour was endorsed.

Pammie Seccombe introducing six of the eight candidates: Adam Blakester, Julie Collins,; Yvonne Langenberg, Natasha Ledger, Tony Lonergan and Rob Taber. Photo: Leslie Wand.

The candidates that comprised Independents – Adam Blakester, Natasha Ledger and Ron Taber, Labor’s Yvonne Langenberg, Green’s Tony Lonergan and Christian Democrats Julie Collins were high in their praise for the Forum and in particularly the “robust questions that had made them think.”

Blakester said that the Murrurundi Forum had yielded “the best set of questions we’ve had so far, the best attended (outside of Tamworth Council), and the best hospitality.”

The current member for New England, Barnaby Joyce had been repeatedly invited to the Forum and declined.

“We were disappointed Mr Joyce was unable to attend”, said Ms Seccombe.

“Our community wanted to have their voice heard by all candidates,” she said.

Cindy Duncan, the candidate for the United Australia party had accepted the invitation to attend, but had to drop out at the last minute.

Pammie Seccombe, spokesperson for the Concerned Women of the Upper Hunter who convened the forum said that the newly formed group was “delighted” with the attendance and the support from the local community.

“For a group that is weeks old, we’re thrilled with the support and the calibre of questions we received,” said Ms Seccombe.

Speaking of the group’s future, Ms Seccombe said, “watch this space.”

People interested in the group’s activity can follow it on Facebook, or register their interest by emailing pammie.seccombe@gmail.com.

Four of the six founding members of Concerned Women of the Upper Hunter: Pammie Seccombe, Jane Sullivan, Hanna Kay and Janie Jordan. Photo: Leslie Wand.