Committee prepares for candidates forum

Residents of the Rose City will get an opportunity to quiz the candidates for Indi in the upcoming Federal election at a forum to be held in April.

The Benalla Candidates Forum organising committee has confirmed it has booked the Lakeside Community Centre for the event on April 26.

“In anticipation of the upcoming Federal election, which is likely to be held in May, we are once again providing an opportunity for Benalla residents and members of the Indi electorate to come together and ask questions of the candidates that are relevant to them,” committee member Alice Meravi said.

“We had an incredibly successful format for our forum in 2019.

“We will utilise what was effective and try and provide the most equitable space for people to hear from all of the candidates on issues that matter to them.”

Invitations are being extended to all registered candidates:

• Helen Haines — Independent;

• Ross Lyman — Liberal

Party;

• Nadia David — Australian Labor Party;

• Elizabeth Fisher — The Nationals;

• Benjamin Gilbert —

Greens; and

• Stephen Williams — United Australia Party.

“We will be inviting each candidate to speak to their election campaign and issues they believe are relevant to our local area,” Ms Meravi said.

“We will also be inviting questions from the audience.

“In 2019 we had people submit questions in advance, and will most likely look to do that again.

“We had great feedback on that, from many who attended last time.”

● The forum will be held at the Benalla Lakeside Community Centre with doors opening at 6.30 for a 7pm start. The organising committee is still finalising plans for ticketing, so keep an eye out in the pages of The Ensign for more information. The forum will be live streamed for anyone who cannot attend.