Mundaring: State candidates in the hot seat at forum

The community group is inviting residents and groups to come along and ask the tough questions at a pre-election one-off forum chaired by retired ABC broadcaster and university lecturer Peter Holland.

Panelists from several advocate and special interest groups are booked to attend, along with candidates who will present their views and answer questions on topics of interest to Hills voters.

Mundaring in Transition representative Patrick Crichton said the group was not by nature a political group, but one with the interests of the community firmly at its centre.

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“We are very keen to hear what our candidates have to say,” he said.

“It’s only by giving them this type of opportunity to present their views and discuss local issues, that we can make an informed decision on who will represent us in State Parliament.

“We invite everyone who cares about the way we are governed to come along and join the discussion, and we hope to see a range of views aired on all sorts of subjects.”

Event organiser Beth McMullen said among the topics expected to be hotly discussed were fracking, climate change and bushland protection.

Candidates who have accepted an invitation to attend include Kalamunda: John Day (Lib) Matthew Hughes (Lab) Lee-Anne Miles (Greens); Swan Hills: Frank Alban (Lib) Jessica Shaw (Lab) Evan Webb (Greens); Darling Range: Tony Simpson (Lib) Barry Urban (Lab); Simone Van Hattem of No Fracking Way; Michael Fabiankovits of 350.org and Mary Gray from the Urban Bushland Council.

The free event will take place at Mundaring Civic Centre, 7000 Great Eastern Hwy, from 7.30pm on February 22; call/ text 0415 526 112 by February 17 for catering.

For more information, call 9295 4080 or book at Eventbrite by searching Mundaring Pre-Election Forum.