Candidates come out

By Jade Lawton
SEVEN State Election candidates fielded some curly questions and a few pointed barbs at a ‘meet the candidates’ forum at the Pakenham RSL last week.
Education, public transport, health and the cost of living were some of the key issues proposed to the candidates, who are vying for the Lower House seat of Bass and the Upper House seat of Eastern Victoria.
The first speaker was Labor’s candidate for Bass, Gerry Lonergan, who said he cared for the electorate.
“I think there is a record of achievement, both in health, education and public transport, and I hope to build on that,” he said.
Incumbent MP Ken Smith, a Liberal, said the rapid growth of Cardinia Shire posed a challenge for the government.
“We’re talking about public transport. People are afraid to travel on trains, particularly at night … we will build another secondary school in Officer, the one we have (Pakenham) is nearly full.”
Labor’s Eastern Victoria MP Johan Scheffer explained the long and thorough process of coming up with the ALP’s campaign, and said all commitments were properly costed and accounted for.
“If you check our website you will see there are new statements every day. They all add up … they are not just grabs dreamed up in the last couple of weeks, the gestation is long.”
Greens candidate Neil Rankine was next, and he detailed how the desalination plant in Wonthaggi inspired his foray in to politics.
“I am concerned about promises being kept. And Pakenham Secondary, it’s not full, it’s a long way from full, it just has a bad reputation and is not well resourced,” he said.
Greens candidate for Eastern Victoria, Samantha Dunn, said public transport, education and health were some of the Greens’ key election platforms.
“A real concern of the Greens is that people have access to appropriate mental illness services,” she said.
Edward O’Donohue, Liberal MP for Eastern Victoria, hit back at Mr Scheffer’s spiel on careful budgeting.
“On costing – you only have to mention Myki, or desal, and people smile at you, smirk with anger. And unfortunately it is because of these cost over-runs that we’ve missed out here.”
Nationals MP for Eastern Victoria, Traralgon-based Peter Hall, said tertiary education was needed in the area.
“Particularly in post-secondary education, this region is one where there needs to be improvement.”
In the crowd were a mix of Liberal and Labor party faithful, as well as some voters who appeared undecided.
Cardinia Ratepayers and Residents Association president Gloria O’Connor praised the candidates and residents for contributing to the lively discussion.
“Discussion has been great, and I think it has been fair – a very interesting evening,” she said.