The introduction of Euroa and Violet Town means the Border will have to share candidates with the south and Strathbogie Inc was keen to get on the front foot by organising the first forum of the season.

It was an initiative that means the candidates are on the record with their opinions on key topics, which can only be a good thing.

There were not too many surprises as candidates most stuck to the party (or orange) line.

Liberal Steve Martin valued “individual freedoms” over forcing schools to change rules on transgender students, Labor’s Eric Kerr attacked the government’s climate change policy, and independent candidate Helen Haines said she wanted to see more women in Parliament.

Questions from Euroa crowd of more than 100 people skewed towards the left side of politics – they wanted to see refugees taken off Manus Island and Nauru, the government to stop selling weapons to Saudi Arabia and quotas to get more women into politics.

The louder applause regularly went to Ms Haines and Mr Kerr.

Mr Martin will have more favourable crowds as he continues his campaign, but was respectful and stuck to his guns when challenged on Saturday.

It was unfortunate timing for the Nationals that they appear set to announce former Wodonga mayor Mark Byatt as their candidate on Monday, meaning they missed the chance to take part in the forum.

Although he is orginally from the Corryong area, Mr Byatt will be the third Indi candidate with strong ties to Wodonga, which is also home to Mr Martin and Mr Kerr.

Ms Haines live further south in Wangaratta.

With such as big area to cover in Indi, all four will be keen to make their mark outside of their homes where they are already known to many.

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