Four days out from the day the people finally decide the Queensland election, Tuesday is the chance for our readers to hear from the local candidates.
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The Traeger candidate forum is on Tuesday at Spinifex State College at 7pm and all candidates bar the Greens’ drop-in candidate will be present.
They are in order of appearance on the ballot draw: Robbie Katter (KAP member for Mount Isa), Ronald Bird (LNP), Craig Scriven (Independent), Sarah Isaacs (Independent) and Danielle Slade (Labor).
The night has been organised by the North West Star and ABC North West Queensland and will be moderated by the North West Star editor Derek Barry
Mr Barry said it was an opportunity for people to see and hear from the candidates and ask them the questions they want answered.
“The North West Star has covered this election in great detail but it was important that people have the chance to meet the candidates and make up their own minds,” Mr Barry said.
“This is what democracy is all about – helping people making informed decisions at the ballot box and I can think of no better organisations in the north west to get that message out than Mount Isa’s two major media outlets, the North West Star and ABC North West Queensland.”
The debate will be on at Spinifex State College at Abel Smith Parade.
Doors open at 6.30am and the debate will start at 7am.
Mr Barry said the format would be a three minute opening address by the candidates followed by around 90 minutes of questions from the public.
“It is important we open the forum up to questions but we will have a few basic rules to keep the night on track so we can hear as much as possible of what the candidates have to say,” he said.
“We will be insisting that any questions take no longer than 60 seconds to deliver – you can say a lot in 60 seconds, and we will cut off anyone who breaches that rule.”
Mr Barry said anyone asking a question should also identify themselves and where they are from.
“This is a courtesy to the candidates to help them understand the perspective of the questioner,” he said.
“Questions can be addressed to single candidates or to the entire panel.”
Assuming we have a good audience on the night a decision will be taken to put the debate on Facebook Live via the North West Star and ABC North West Queensland Facebook pages.
There will be also be a gold coin donation at the door in aid of the Salvos Christmas Appeal.
