LIBERAL MP Bill Tilley went to walk out on an ABC radio election forum on Tuesday morning after being told the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party candidate would not be allowed to participate.
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The kerfuffle over Josh Knight’s inclusion saw producer Bronwyn O’Shea filling in for ABC Goulburn Murray host Joseph Thomsen on-air after 9am for a short period.
As she spoke, Thomsen was with Mr Tilley, saying the event had been promoted as only involving four candidates – the Liberal, Labor’s Mark Tait and independents Jacqui Hawkins and Jenny O’Connor.
But Mr Tilley said that was unfair and went to leave, before Thomsen relented and allowed Mr Knight a seat in the studio with the other four contenders.
No mention of the drama was made on-air as part of the debate, but afterwards Thomsen said “sorry” to Mr Tilley.
The backbencher replied: “We all move on.”
Subjects covered in the forum included water extraction, health, trains, mental health and energy costs.
Asked about the use of groundwater at Stanley for bottled water, Mr Tilley said while objectors could take legal action there was no role for councils on the matter, which has seen Indigo Shire lobby for changes to the Water Act.
“It’s not a local government issue, they can certainly work with the government of the day,” Mr Tilley said before Thomsen queried whether councils should have some say.
“With all due respect Joseph, council should just stick to roads, rates and rubbish.
“The states have sovereignty over water.”
Ms O’Connor, until recently Indigo mayor, said it was clear the Water Act needed to be changed to give communities a say and she questioned modelling stating the Stanley aquifer was not under stress.
Ms O’Connor and Ms Hawkins were asked which major party they would support if there was a hung parliament, neither nominated Labor or Liberal.
All candidates rejected a suggestion that Victoria should take control of the North East railway line from the Australian Rail Track Corporation.
Asked about a letter signed by 44 medicos arguing Benambra should be marginal, Mr Tilley said health services needed to be enhanced and increased.
Ms Hawkins said the letter was a “cry” from doctors not candidates.
“They’re feeling the pinch right now and what I’m hearing from them is that they feel like they’re jeopardising the health of our community because it’s not marginal,” she said.
Mr Tait said there was a role for the Victorian and NSW cross border commissioners in resolving issues related to funding for Albury Wodonga Health.
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