Local democracy in action

With so many important issues that need to be addressed, it’s never been more important to make your vote count than on 21 May.

Readers of The Illawarra Flame are invited to a special event on Saturday, 7 May to hear from the local candidates in the forthcoming Federal election about their views and policies. More importantly it’s a chance to ask them about the issues that matter to you. Attendees will be able to submit questions for the candidates. This can be when you register, or on arrival.

The Illawarra Socratic Society has partnered with Voices For Wollongong to present the 2022 Cunningham Candidates Forum. All candidates (currently seven) have been invited to participate. The candidates who have so far agreed are:

Dylan Green – The Greens

Alison Byrnes – Australian Labor Party

Alexis Garnaut-Miller – Citizens Party

Melinda James from ABC Illawarra Breakfast will host the forum. Each candidate will be asked to speak for five minutes to introduce themselves and outline their policies. After that they will be asked to answer the questions submitted by the audience.

For those who can’t be in the room, Voices for Wollongong will be live-streaming the event. Tickets to the venue and online webinar are free. Local jazz pianist Kelvin Haisman will perform live. Doors open at 6.30pm.

Socratic Society members meet on Friday mornings, under the guidance of the founder Eric Weddell, to discuss philosophy, great thinkers, democracy and other related topics. Each year (pre-Covid) they organised the popular “Socratic Lecture”. The Society hopes this open forum will further our democracy.

Save the date: Sat 7 May, 7-8.30pm, Thirroul Community Centre, Book at www.voicesforwollongong.org/event