I attended the Meet the Candidates session at the Kiama Pavilion last Wednesday.

The candidates delivered their speeches, mainly about their ability and willingness to listen to the community and take the community’s issues up to the state government level.

They spoke about their volunteer and employment histories and personal interests which had led them to stand in the by-election.

Youth was mentioned once and that was in relation to sport. There was an absence of social issues other than the cost of renting.

There were no questions asked from the audience.

The prepared questions from the MC for the candidates were all about small businesses and tourism.

The first was about the demise of small businesses, the impact of payroll tax, the need for government-funded programs to support and advise businesses.

The second question focused on Kiama’s recent national bronze award as a Tourist Town, and the impact of the government withdrawing support for the tourist industry.

Kiama was the only town mentioned other than the lighting for Michael Cronin Oval in Gerringong.

The majority of the audience was over 70 years of age. A smaller number were over 50 years of age and younger voters were nowhere to be seen.

There was no mention of the need for youth services and facilities with programs, no mention of homeless youth.

It was all about tourism and small businesses.

Liberal money, $26 million, has been pledged for the Kiama Leisure Centre and sports facilities and $200,000 to upgrade lighting at Cronin Oval.

Labor has provided $200,000 in funding for a designated entertainment precinct and $3 million for potholes and roads.

Issues concerning the needs of everyday mums and dads and their children were not addressed.

I made contact with the candidates after the formal part of the evening had finished and alerted them to the fact that there was a need for a Community Youth Centre in Gerringong to address the needs of our young

people.

Margaret Lester

Chairperson: Gerringong Community Action Group for Youth