Roads, renewables and state taxes spark debate at Ripon election forum
Renewable energy transmission lines, the emergency services levy and roads were contentious topics at a candidates' forum in the marginal regional Victorian electorate of Ripon on Sunday.
The forum was seen as a temperature check of the regional electorates ahead of what is shaping up to be one of the most extraordinary state elections in years.
Seven candidates vying for election in the Victorian seat of Ripon attended a forum at Newlyn on Sunday. (ABC Ballarat: Eden Hynninen)
Seven candidates attended the forum, but noticeably absent was sitting Labor member, Martha Haylett, who won the seat in 2022 on a tight margin.
Ms Haylett said an "urgent family matter came up" and she could not attend.
One Nation's Ripon candidate Donna Buxton was also absent.
More than 200 people attended the afternoon event and the debate became heated as passionate questions were asked from the floor.
Voters were able to ask questions of the candidates vying for election in the seat of Ripon. (ABC Ballarat: Eden Hynninen)
Concerns were raised about the state government's plans for the Western Renewables Link (WRL) and the VNI West transmission line, along with the emergency services levy and the state of Victoria's roads.
Nationals candidate Jo Armstrong said she was opposed to the renewable energy push.
"I support canning the WRL, personally, but the Coalition's policy at this point — I'm going to be completely clear — is to review it," she said.
"I'm fighting for what you all want, and that is cancel it before the election."
Tim Drylie, one of two Greens candidates, said residents needed to be better compensated for Victoria's transition to renewable energy.
"We're not seeing that enough at the moment," he said.
"[People] need to be empowered to make decisions around the renewable transition."
The Ripon forum went for more than two hours. Candidates took dozens of questions. (ABC Ballarat: Eden Hynninen)
Liberal candidate Megan Read, a Skipton farmer, also voiced concerns about VNI West.
"We don't need farmers chaining themselves to their gates just to protect their land. That's just absolutely disgusting," she said.
"I have walked this journey for 20 years … we were fighting the same proponent for a wind farm … I cannot see people go through the same thing."
Ripon takes in Ararat, Maryborough, St Arnaud, Dunolly, Avoca, Skipton and Beaufort. (ABC Ballarat: Eden Hynninen)
The crowd booed when the Greens candidates began with a Welcome to Country, with some telling them to leave.
For 50 years the seat of Ripon has flipped back and forth between the major parties and is widely considered one of the rural seats Labor will find difficult to hold at the upcoming election.
The electorate covers areas to the west and north of Ballarat as well as the towns of Ararat, Beaufort and Maryborough.
Agriculture, manufacturing and healthcare are some of the larger industries of employment in the seat but it also has a large proportion of retirees.
There are farmers in Victoria's north in support for the renewable projects, with about 40 per cent of landowners allowing survey access on their properties.
Ballarat locals took to the streets as Pauline Hanson arrived on Sunday. (ABC Ballarat: Eden Hynninen)
In Ballarat on Sunday night One Nation leader Pauline Hanson attending a party fundraiser was met by protesters in the main street chanting "Racists out".
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