Perth Voice Interactive

THE state candidates for Fremantle faced off in a tumultuous and entertaining “great debate” at Notre Dame on Wednesday evening. 

Natashia Boland from the Animal Justice Party, the Greens’ Felicity Townsend, independent Kate Hulett, and WA Labor’s Simone McGurk were all brave enough to face a 300-strong crowd full of Fremantle’s passionate voter base. 

Liberal Party candidate Serena Kipling, Legalise Cannabis Party WA’s Dave Foley, Nicoletta Raffaelli from the Shooters, Farmers, and Fishers Party, and Peter Watt from the Australian Christians were no-shows. 

Moderated by Freo Chamber of Commerce CEO Chrissie Maus, the debate was a game-show style where the fact checkers – Notre Dame dean Martin Drum, Fremantle Shipping News editor Michael Barker, and Christian Mauri from the Fremantle Network – also had the power to give yellow and red cards to disorderly audience members. 

Animal Justice Party candidate Natashia Boland appeared to be a fan favourite, saying she was “scared” but “excited” to be debating her competition in what will be her first election campaign. 

Ms Boland says Animal Justice are “absolutely not a single-issue party” and highlighted policies aimed at people and environment, while also highlighting the party’s eagerness to win seats in the Upper House and not just Fremantle. 

Longtime member for Fremantle Simone McGurk was peppered by questions from the audience about everything from fracking to social housing while the other three were at times a little neglected. 

In her introduction, Ms McGurk highlighted her experience as “an advocate” for the seat of Fremantle, as well as her current portfolios as minister for industrial relations, water, and formerly for the prevention of domestic violence. 

Ms McGurk responded to a question from Ms Maus on a potential ban fracking in the Kimberley by highlighting that the government would prevent new exploration licences in the area as well as a right of veto for traditional owners. 

This was rebutted by independent Ms Hulett, who labelled the vetoes “flawed”. 

Ms Hulett highlighted her vision for “an economy that works for everyone” a “thriving environment”, and “safe and cohesive” communities. 

When asked whether her position as an independent would hamper her chances of getting things done, Ms Hulett said she would “negotiate” and will work “with anyone that comes up with a good idea” in the state parliament. 

The Greens’ Felicity Townsend highlighted her party’s environmental policies to address the climate emergency, as well as housing affordability, saying Fremantle has been “completely ignored by Labor” since it came into office in 2017. 

When asked about whether the Greens will take responsibility for “difficult decisions” if they are able to achieve a balance of power at the election, Ms Townsend appeared ambitious when she said the party would not support any policies which “don’t align” with its values 

Audience members were given the opportunity to ask questions of the candidates, where the debate decorum of some – including a single anti-vaxxer and a person questioning the legitimacy of the Voice to Parliament referendum spending – became a tad unruly. 

Several audience members walked out before candidates had finished speaking, adding to what was described by some as “humiliating” to the candidates who had put in effort to present a decent debate. 

Overall, The Chook – represented by a journalist with a degree in politics and keen to hear about the candidates’ policies – didn’t learn too much, but the debate was certainly entertaining.

by KATHERINE KRAAYVANGER