Federal election 2018: Liberal candidates missing at climate change forum

Voters have been left wondering why the Liberal candidates in two hotly-contested seats were no-shows at a public forum on climate change, while Labor and Green candidates attended to explain their policies.

The climate change public forum was held at Box Hill Town Hall.

Voters have been left wondering why the Liberal candidates in two hotly-contested seats were no-shows at a public forum on climate change.

The Labor and Greens candidates for the electorates of Chisholm and Deakin spoke at the community forum at Box Hill Town Hall on Monday, April 8, but neither Liberal candidate for Chisholm or Deakin was present.

ACF Community Chisholm leader Liz Reen said all major party candidates were invited to outline their policies at the forum, which was co-hosted by Australian Conservation Foundation, ACF Community Chisholm, Eastern Climate Action Melbourne and Eastern Action for the Environment.

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Deakin federal Liberal MP Michael Sukkar told Whitehorse Leader he had been unable to attend the event because of a scheduling clash.

The forum was held at Box Hill Town Hall. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“I had a prior community engagement for that date which was scheduled well in advance,” he said.

“The date of the ACF forum was chosen in full knowledge that I was not available.

“This isn’t surprising given that the ACF, who are aligned to the Greens and Labor Party, have been running paid advertisements against the Government.

“I have committed to three election forums (each hosted by different groups within the electorate) where a wide range of topics will be discussed.”

Chisholm federal Liberal candidate Gladys Liu did not respond to Whitehorse Leader’s request for comment.

A series of voters who attended the forum have contacted the paper to express their disappointment with the Liberals’ absence.

North Ringwood’s Donna MacKinnon, who is a member of the Labor Party, said she was disappointed the event “was a full house, except for the two empty chairs on the stage” allocated to the two Liberal party representatives.

“It is disappointing that these candidates seem to have no regard for what is a key issue in the upcoming election,” she said.

Chisholm federal Labor candidate Jennifer Yang, Deakin federal Labor candidate Shireen Morris, Chisholm federal Greens candidate Luke Arthur and Deakin federal Greens candidate Sophia addressed the audience at the event and took questions.