MORE than 60 people turned out last week for the first of two evenings with the major candidates campaigning for the seat of Port Stephens ahead of this month’s State Election.

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Last Thursday, current local MP Kate Washington faced a ‘Q and A’ in the Tea Gardens Baptist Church hall.

With local councillor Len Roberts acting as independent moderator, Ms Washington was asked a series of questions covering a wide range of topics from dredging to fishing, police numbers, the environment, lack of amenities, council amalgamation, and infrastructure.

Ms Washington also spoke about what led her into politics, when as a solicitor she became involved in working with the disadvantaged, in health areas and community issues which she felt needed to be changed.

The night was organised by the Hawks Nest Tea Gardens Progress Association, members receiving the questions from the community.

“It was a really great opportunity to hear from the community and be given a chance to hear the issues and concerns of the community which will help me be a better MP going into the future,” Ms Washington told News Of The Area.

And does she feel confident going into the March 23rd election.

“It’s going to be very close, it’s always challenging in this community for a Labor member to be represented.

Ms Washington’s main rival for the seat of Port Stephens is the Liberals Jaimie Abbott who will face her ‘Q and A’ session with the community on Thursday 7 March at 6pm in the Tea Gardens Baptist Church.

Members of the Progress Association and the community at the meeting all agreed that the first ‘Meet the Candidates’ night had been a great success.

By: Margie TIERNEY