Students question candidates

Maneesha Walsh
Bachelor of Arts student
Avondale College of Higher Education
Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia

Candidates for two local seats in federal parliament were privy to the prying questions of students during a political rally at Avondale on Tuesday (August 27).

Pat Conroy and Bronwyn Reid, representing the Australian Labor Party and the Palmer United Party in Charlton, and Jane Oakley, The Greens’ representative in Shortland, covered issues ranging from asylum seekers and higher education funding to humanitarian aid and the National Broadband Network.

“The candidates conveyed to me that the questions were the most articulate of the forums they’ve attended this campaign,” says food services director Nick Hartigan. He organised the rally to counter perceived voter apathy among young adults. “There’s a feeling of, ‘Why does my vote count?’”

The transient nature of student life means many of those asking the questions are likely to be living away from home. “They’re now enrolled in this area but it’s not their home area, so they’re not sure who to vote for,” says Sam Davidson, a Bachelor of Education (secondary) student who served as moderator. He adds the rally “gave the students a fair opportunity to hear what the candidates for this area believe and what they stand for.”

And for what do they stand? Pat joined Labour because it “is fundamentally the party for social justice.” Bronwyn, a resident of Cooranbong for 30 years, has never joined a political party but now believes “it is time to make a difference.” Jane represents The Greens because “I believe in fairness and natural justice, and you’ll find it’s The Greens who stand up for those in our community who aren’t so powerful.”