Candidates face tough questions at chamber event

While the candidates faced the questions of an anti-mining crowd at a recent similar event at Breeza, the Gunnedah event saw businesspeople and Shenhua representatives tackle independent candidate Peter Draper about employment issues if the Watermark mine did not go ahead.

Shenhua Watermark project manager Paul Jackson, who was at the meeting, asked Mr Draper how he would “replace the 400 local direct jobs your policy will take out of the future prospects for this community and their children?”.

Mr Jackson said Mr Draper failed to answer the question.

He said Mr Draper was the Caroona Coal Action Group’s “mouthpiece”.

“At least Kevin Anderson is trying to make a plan B [if the mine is not approved],” Mr Jackson said.

“Mr Draper is just there for spoiling tactics.”

Mr Draper again said if the $1.2 billion Shenhua Watermark mine went ahead near Breeza, there would be protests larger than those that have been taking place at Whitehaven’s Maules Creek mine.

Another person from the crowd tackled Mr Draper over his anti-mine stance, saying the scientific reports had shown the mine would not harm the blacksoil plains.

“What more do you want?” the speaker said.

Mr Draper replied Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt had only invoked the water trigger to delay approval of the mine at a convenient time ahead of the election.

He said University of NSW data “totally contradicted” the reports provided by Shenhua.

Other issues raised at the meeting included TAFE and education funding, employment and electricity prices.

The time for candidates to nominate for the March 28 election has now closed, with two extra people throwing their hats into the ring.

Richard Nock will run for the No Land Tax  party and Michelle Ryan will run for the Christian Democratic Party (Fred Nile Group).

The two join sitting member and Nationals candidate Kevin Anderson, Country Labor candidate Joe Hillard, independents Stan Heuston and Peter Draper and Greens candidate Pat Schultz.