Federal election 2022: Cowper candidates face Coffs climate forum

It might not quite be Thunberg and lightning, but Coffs Harbour’s high school students are ready to ask awkward questions of local politicians. See how you can have a ringside seat.

Kissing babies to curry favour is one thing in the run to an election - but the local candidates for Cowper will face a much tougher gig at Coffs Harbour when they face a room full of teenagers antsy about climate change.

A special forum co-hosted by Coffs Coast Climate Action Group and Coffs School Strike 4 Climate (SS4C) will give those seeking to represent a chance to push their thoughts on climate policy.

Questions from those too young to vote might have seemed a breeze until Greta ‘you have stolen my dreams and my childhood’ Thunberg came along and generated worldwide attention for climate change action.

Coffs Coast Climate Action Group spokesperson Liisa Rusanen said forum attendees would be “all ages”, including a large number of high school students.

All of Cowper’s federal election candidates would get a fair hearing, she said, even if some remained supportive of the fossil fuel industry.

Coffs Coast Climate Action Group spokesperson Liisa Rusanen (second from left): “Cowper deserves a representative who is prepared to move Australia beyond coal and gas.”

“They’ll get their chance to have their say, even if they (the audience) don’t like their answers,” Ms Rusanen said.

“It’s an opportunity to hear where they stand.”

She said all seven candidates had been invited, and four had confirmed their attendance: Independent Carolyn Heise, the Greens’ Tim Nott, Labor’s Keith McMullen and One Nation’s Faye Aspiotis.

Ms Rusanen said any no-shows would be “making a statement” by that very act.

“With record-breaking rain and floods devastating our region, on the back of the horrific bushfire season two years ago, it is clear that we need urgent action on the climate crisis,” she said.

“After years of dangerous and costly delay, Cowper deserves a representative who is prepared to move Australia beyond coal and gas, towards a renewable energy-powered, zero emissions future, in a fair and equitable way.”

The forum will run for two hours from 6pm on Friday, April 29, at Cavanbah Hall, 191 Harbour Drive.

Members of the public are welcome to attend (RSVP tinyurl.com/cowperspeakers). Light nibbles will be provided and entry is by donation.