A public forum will bring the federal election’s candidates for Eden-Monaro together in Merimbula next month to discuss issues relating to the environment.
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The four main issues identified by organisers the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) were horses in the Australian Alps, protection of threatened species, native forest logging and national action on plastic pollution.
Mike Kelly from Labor, Sophie Wade from The Nationals and Patrick McGinlay from The Greens have confirmed their attendance.
By Wednesday, January 23, The Liberals’ Fiona Kotvojs had said she was keen to participate, but was yet to state if she would appear.
Nature campaigner with ACF Jess Abrahams said the foundation knew environment was consistently a top 10 issue for voters and a key concern for many people in Eden-Monaro.
“Australia faces an unprecedented ecological crisis. Up to a million fish are dead in the Murray-Darling. Repeated coral bleaching is degrading the Great Barrier Reef. Deforestation rates have skyrocketed, extinction rates are accelerating and air and plastic pollution is becoming measurably worse,” Mr Abrahams said.
“In Eden-Monaro, iconic native species like the koala are threatened with extinction. Carbon dense native forests are being clear-felled, bulldozed and burnt. Feral horses are degrading sensitive alpine creeks and rivers that supply water to Australia’s food bowl. Plastic pollution clogs some otherwise beautiful beaches.
“We all depend on a healthy environment for the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat. And we all want protection for the places and wildlife we love. If voters prioritise environmental issues, governments will be forced to show the national leadership that is urgently required.”
The forum will run from 6pm-7.30pm at Club Sapphire, Merimbula on Friday, February 22 with a chance for candidates and audience members to stay and talk informally after the event.
READ MORE: Nationals name candidate for Eden-Monaro
The audience will also be able to ask environment-related questions to the candidates during the forum.
Finger food will be provided and drinks can be bought at the bar.