INFRASTRUCTURE, health and hospitals, education and asylum seekers are among the issues Ballarat voters want discussed before they cast votes in this year’s federal election.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Readers have used The Courier Everday Voters online survey to call for more honesty from political leaders, greater spending on higher education and equality in the Australian community for same-sex attracted people.
Reader Richard Purdy of Ballarat Central called on MP Catherine King and challengers John Fitzgibbon and Steph Hodgins-May to work to bring about “recognition of indigenous peoples in the Australian constitution” in the next parliament.
A sustainable environment supporting a sustainable economy was the top priority for Michael Weadon, of Lake Wendouree, while Catherine Miller of Sebastopol said quality education with adequate government funding was required for Australia’s future.
The Courier will use responses to the survey to provide a voters-based focus on campaign coverage through until polling day on September 14.
Other issues nominated by participants included less government spending, renewable energy development and public transport infrastructure including rail between Melbourne, Geelong and Ballarat.
The protection of local manufacturing and integration of refugees and asylum seekers in the local community were also nominated.
Ms King this week used a speech to Parliament to praise the township of Ballan and speak in support of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Liberal candidate Mr Fitzgibbon said Ms King had not provided effective assistance to the Moorabool Shire Council in a Regional Development Australia Fund application for the Bacchus Marsh Aquatic Centre while Greens candidate Steph Hodgins-May used social networking website Twitter to criticise a leaked Coalition discussion paper which proposed the construction of new dams around Australia.
thomas.mcilroy@thecourier.com.au