That’s the view of The Nationals’ candidate for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams.

Mrs Williams convened the forum, which was also attended by the opposition fair trading sokeswoman Catherine Cusack, opposition ageing spokesman Andrew Constance and Retirement Village Residents’ Association representative Malcom McKenzie.

Ms Cusack briefed the meeting on the main changes in the 75-page Amendment Bill which is about to be debated in the Legislative Council when parliament next sits on October 21.

But Country Labor Port Macquarie Branch secretary Jeff Condron criticised the forum as a “politcal stunt”.

“People would have been more confused after the forum than they would have been before they arrived,” Mr Condron said.

Mrs Williams said residents were particularly concerned about changes to the law that would make them responsible for not only maintenance, but for capital works costs as well.

“The meeting also strongly supported the Liberal/Nationals’ plan to exclude payroll tax from being paid by residents,” she said.

“That is a cost that should be paid by the operators.

“The Port Macquarie electorate has amongst the highest number of residents living in retirement villages and I’m pleased that they are having a direct impact on improving legislation that affects their own homes.”

Ms Cusack said she was disappointed that independent candidate Peter Besseling tried to denigrate the concerns of retirement village residents.

“I am disappointed that Mr Besseling didn’t attend the meeting, as he would have been able to see how important these issues are and the extent to which they are concerning the local residents,” Ms Cusack said.