The Rochester event is the third in the VFF’s series of election forums focusing on rural issues, following ones in Colac and Wangaratta.
THE small rural town of Rochester will become a federal election battleground next Wednesday when the Victorian Farmers Federation holds its third candidates forum.
Farmers and others in the community will have the chance to grill candidates for the Murray electorate on water security, mobile black spots, the CFA dispute, foreign investment in agricultural land and other hot topics.
“The VFF wants to improve agricultural productivity and living standards in rural areas and this forum is an opportunity for rural communities and people close to agriculture to hear what the candidates are about and put their views to the test,” VFF President Peter Tuohey said.
The Rochester event is the third in the VFF’s series of election forums focusing on rural issues, following ones in Colac and Wangaratta.
Wednesday’s Wangaratta forum for the seat of Indi drew more than 100 local residents.
“We’re pleased to see so many people taking an interest in rural issues ahead of the election, and the VFF is doing our part to keep people talking and asking questions about important agricultural issues,” Mr Tuohey said.
Mr Tuohey will moderate the forum in his roles as both VFF President and local constituent from Pyramid Hill.
“I’m as interested as anybody to hear what the candidates have to say, because whoever wins the seat will be influential in determining what happens to our region over the next three years,” Mr Tuohey said.
“The event is an open forum where we hope people can get honest answers to their questions, but it won’t be an opportunity for the candidates to get into personal debates. Let’s keep it about the issues.”
Murray is currently held by retiring Liberal MP Sharman Stone, paving the way for the first three-cornered contest between the Liberals, Nationals and Labor in the electorate since 1996.
All eleven candidates have been invited to participate in the Rochester forum, which will involve two hours of audience questions.
