PROUDLY INDEPENDENT
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WED 22 OCT 2014
Turn over for your entertainment guide
All your shopping needs at Belmont Central p.5
Debate hots up
Independent candidate takes Labor’s Jodie Harrison to task ahead of by-election AmeliA PArroTT
radio Birdman
Newcastle gig to kick-off tour
Support for art gallery p.5
A-league 2014/15 Late goal hurts Jets again p.25
@amelia_parrott
S
immering tensions between Labor candidate for Charlestown, Jodie Harrison and Independent candidate, Arjay Martin came to a head at a debate held at Charlestown Bowling Club last week, with Mr Martin accusing Ms Harrison for failing to stand up for her community as both Mayor of Lake Macquarie and Labor’s state candidate. Mr Martin spoke briefly to voters about his desire to reform the state’s electoral laws, health and transport systems, before turning on Ms Harrison for her support of residential and business rate rises in Council, failure to keep her election promise to build a roundabout at the intersection of Northlakes Drive and Minmi Road at Cameron Park and printing her campaign flyers in Sydney. “The Liberals miss out on my barrage because they’re not running,” Mr Martin said. “Labor has had a number of issues in the past with not telling the truth to people.” Mr Martin said Labor had told an “outright lie” before the 2011 election when it announced it had bought a dredge for Swansea Channel. One audience member called Mr Martin out on his comments, asking what he would do for the people of Charlestown. Independent candidate Marc Sky, also warned against supporting major party candidates like Ms Harrison.
Labor candidate for Charlestown, Jodie Harrison addresses voters at a debate at Charlestown Bowling Club last week Ms Harrison urged voters to judge her on her track record as Mayor of Lake Macquarie. “What I am asking is that people look at my record as Mayor and local councillor on Lake Macquarie Council and to judge me not just on what I am saying now and what I’ve said in thee past, but on my record and my actions at Lake Macquarie Council and the resulting performance of the Council against other councils in the area,” she said. Speaking to the Post after the debate, Ms Harrison said attacks were to be expected when you were seeking to represent the community.
“I’ve been in an elected position since 2008,” she said. “Sometimes people in elected positions don’t necessarily make decisions that make everybody happy and I think if you put your hand up for public office you expect to cop some criticism, as long as it’s fair, that’s fine.” Youth unemployment, public transport and TAFE funding were some of the most heavily debated issues of the night. Greens candidate, Jane Oakley did not attend the debate, as she was at a family funeral in New Zealand. Charlestown voters will go to the polls this Saturday to elect a new State MP.
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