WITH the Federal Election fast approaching, voters were given the opportunity to hear from, and interact with, the Wannon candidates on Monday night at The Spectator’s candidate forum at the Monivae Performing Arts Centre.

It was a fast-paced night with seven of the eight candidates taking the stage to give their opening statements, respond to voters’ questions and concerns, and provide a final closing argument.

The candidates in attendance were Independent Graham Garner, The Australian Greens’ Hilary McAllister, Independent Alex Dyson, United Australia Party’s (UAP) Craige Kensen, Liberal Democrat Party’s Amanda Mead, Labor’s Gilbert Wilson, and incumbent Liberal Dan Tehan, with The Spectator unable to contact Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Party candidate Ronnie Graham.

Over 80 people filled the auditorium with 50 more logging in to view the live Facebook stream and share their thoughts on the topics raised.

A range of national issues were covered including vaccination mandates, university and TAFE accessibility, housing affordability, campaign funding, and their proposed first act as the elected Wannon representative.

One main concern from the crowd was the continuation of vaccine mandates and the lack of research into the COVID-19 vaccines.

Independent Alex Dyson responded to the vaccination question by saying, “when it comes to creating the vaccines, I trust the experts”, with UAP candidate, Craig Kensen taking a different view and saying, “we can’t trust (the experts) anymore”, while Independent Graham Garner said the “vaccinations should be up to an individual’s choice”.

More controversy occurred when the candidates were asked to disclose the source of their campaign funding, to which Liberal Democrat Party’s Amanda Mead said, “I have pretty much paid for it all myself”, while Liberal Dan Tehan said he gets his donations from “the local community and party members”, with assistance from the national campaign across Australia.

Labor’s Gilbert Wilson said he had received donations from the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union as well as from The Australian Labor Party, and The Greens’ Hilary McAllister said she received donations via her website but rejected any donations from fossil fuel companies.

Early voting begins in Hamilton from 9am-4pm on Saturday, May 14, only at the Hamilton Senior Citizens Club (100 Lonsdale Street), with election day (May 21) voting available between 8am-6pm at the Hamilton Senior Citizens Club, Patterson Park Hall (194 King St, Hamilton), and Tarrington Lutheran Church Hall (7901 Hamilton Highway, Tarrington). 

More information on how to vote can be found at aec.gov.au