The Weekly Advertiser, in conjunction with our radio counterparts MIXX FM and 3WM, will host a federal election forum for Mallee candidates on Monday, April 28 – and you’re invited.

The public forum, starting at 7pm at Coughlin Park Community Centre, Horsham, will also be live-streamed via our social media channels.

All seven candidates who have nominated so far have been invited – sitting member Anne Webster, Nationals; Greg Olsen, Labor; Nicole Rowan, Greens; Chris Lahy, Australia Citizens Party; Vaughan Williams, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation; Ashleigh Gray, Family First; and Jeff Barry, Libertarian Party Australia.

But as nominations of candidates don’t close until tomorrow, Thursday, and the final declaration scheduled to be announced on Friday, more candidates could still be added.

At the forum, each candidate will have two minutes to introduce themselves, tell the audience about their background, outlining why they are standing for election, and what their priorities are if elected. 

The public will then have an opportunity to ask questions of the candidates. At the end of the forum, candidates will be given one minute each to add anything further and wrap up their pitch.

As chair of the forum, I am looking forward to hearing directly from the candidates on local issues. And that is where we need our readers to help out – to make the forum a success and to help get to know the candidates, their policies and views, we need people to ask about issues that are important to them and our community.

According to councils across the region, roads – whether it be general maintenance or major projects such as duplication of the Western Highway – are the number one concern and a high priority on all councils’ wishlists.

Another hot topic sure to be highlighted is about renewable energy and mining projects, and the protection of agricultural land. While housing – both cost and availability; the rise of cost-of-living expenses; and access to health services are issues sure to be on the list.

But what are the other topics that readers would like to see raised at the forum?

If people can’t make it to the forum and would like to a particular question to be asked, they can email weeklyadvertiser@aceradio.com.au with their suggestion.

Questions on the night will be checked before they are allowed to be asked – just so we can ensure they are questions, there is no duplication, and they are appropriate so the forum flows as succinctly as possible.

From experience from the Horsham council candidates forum last year, question time can run overtime – so please keep questions brief and to the point.

With the Mallee electorate covering a third of Victoria, candidates have a lot of ground to cover in the lead-up to the May 3 election, and it is important they hear directly from constituents about what is important in the Wimmera.

A separate Wannon election forum, hosted by the Ararat Advocate, will be held in Ararat on April 29, and we’re sure there will be plenty of interest in that event.

With school holidays, Easter and Anzac Day all thrown in during the lead-up to the election, it certainly wasn’t easy to schedule a suitable date, and quite a bit of organising goes on behind the scenes to stage such events. 

So we encourage all voters to support the forums, the more people in engaged in the issues that affect our region, the better place our community will be.

Go to https://www.facebook.com/share/1HnN7CUJrF/ to contribute.

The entire April 9, 2025 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!