Tom Ingleton
As the federal election draws closer, a local advocacy group is urging Hume Council to help give residents a stronger voice in the democratic process.
The Broadmeadows Progress Association has written to council requesting it host a public “candidates forum”, where the community can directly raise concerns with federal candidates and hear their responses firsthand.
The group believes the stakes are high this election, particularly when it comes to the future of local services and council funding.
“At our last meeting, it was agreed that the election will affect us all.” John Rutherord said, association secretary.
“From infrastructure to health, to how local councils are funded–these are issues that matter deeply to our community.”
Association member Sonja Rutherford said a forum would allow residents to engage meaningfully with those seeking to to represent them in Canberra.
“Some issues we are familiar with, and others we are not,” Ms Rutherford said.
“The council members hold in their hands a lot of our welfare in many ways, so we would like to put to them in some appropriate manner what it is that is concerning us as residents.”
Ms Rutherford highlighted growing community hardship. Pointing to food insecurity and limited access to healthcare.
“People are struggling with their eating needs , and that’s being exemplified by the number of food banks in the area, which are only growing in demand,” Ms Rutherford said.
“We need a variety of services expanded to address other issues too–like seeing a doctor when you’re not on a pension. There are ways to address this through clinics.”
She said longstanding issues around housing, education, libraries and community services had been left to councils to manage–often without adequate support.
“These services have gradually been passed down to the council without the proper funding,” Ms Rutherford said.
The association has requested that the council formally consider hosting the forum at its next meeting.
“We want to see real, constructive responses from candidates–not a ‘you say, I say’ type of back- and- forth. The forum needs to be facilitated effectively.”
In a written response, council acknowledged the request but said it would not proceed due to “logistical challenges in fairly representing Hume’s five electorates” and the need to remain neutral in federal elections.
“Hume mayor, Cr Jarrod Bell, has responded to the BPA outlining these reasoning’s,” the statement read.
“Council deeply appreciates and encourages civic participation…and is happy to support community-based, independent organisations-such as the Broadmeadows Progress Association-in facilitating their own forums.”
