Group starts with Community Conversations
By Kirra Livingstone
A GROUP of Fisher residents are aiming to run as a new political party at the next Federal election.
Voices of Fisher was formed earlier this year and has undertaken a series of meetings and forums with residents to identify key issues important to their community.
The group’s ‘Community Conversations’ have been underway since March with the next event being held in Maleny this week.
The group said it was collecting information from each session, which they will use to both inform the sitting member for Fisher, Andrew Wallace, and other federal candidates, including their own. Voices
of Fisher member, Fergus Fitzgerald, said once their report is complete towards the end of this year, they will scout someone to run as an independent candidate.
“All feedback from our community events and surveys will be analysed and compiled into a comprehensive report, ensuring candidates understand the concerns and aspirations of the Fisher electorate,” he said.
“After we release the report, we will be getting people from outside the group to help select a candidate, then we will have to form an entity which will comply with the AEC.
“Voices of Fisher will effectively become a political party even though it’s an independent member running.”
Mr Fitzgerald said their community conversations had been invaluable in helping them understand the broad range of issues across the hinterland and coast.
“Some hinterland residents have different concerns compared to the people on the coast,” he said.
“There is a feeling the coast gets all of the attention and the hinterland can be a bit forgotten, but
they are a very important part of the electorate.”
Core members in the group include Keryn Jones, Adam Logan, Megyn Carpenter and Marcus Pelto.
The Maleny Community Conversation event will be held at the Maleny Community Centre in the Verandah Room on August 15 from 2pm to 4pm.
Register by calling Sue on 0411 546 877.
kirra@gcnews.com.au
