General News
11 April, 2025
Candidates to go head-to-head
WANNON candidates have agreed to meet head-to-head in the only comprehensive candidates’ forum of the 2025 federal election campaign.
The forum will be held in front of a live audience at Deakin University’s Warrnambool Campus on Wednesday, April 23, and will also be streamed via Facebook.
The forum will run from 6pm until 8.30pm
It will provide an opportunity for candidates to detail their vision for Wannon and the nation, before being quizzed about the key issues facing voters across the electorate.
The flagship election event will feature Federal Liberal MP Dan Tehan, Independent challenger Alex Dyson, Labor candidate Fiona Mackenzie and Greens contender Kate Gazzard.
Wannon local and former ABC journalist Kirsten Diprose will act as moderator.
The forum has been organised by the South West Victoria Alliance (SWVA), a community and local government alliance which advocates on behalf of people across the Colac-Otway, Corangamite, Glenelg, Moyne, Southern Grampians and Warrnambool local government areas.
SWVA Chair (and Warrnambool mayor) Ben Blain believes it will be a must-see event.
“Wannon is hotly contested this federal election, and voters will finally get to see all the contenders on one stage,” Cr Blain said.
“This forum will allow voters to cut through the noise, hear from the candidates directly and make an informed choice.
“We anticipate the issues of roads maintenance, childcare, cost of living relief and how we fund community infrastructure will all feature heavily.”
Cr Blain said the alliance had received an overwhelming response to this forum.
Anyone who misses out on tickets can watch the forum via facebook.
“Tickets (free) can be obtained by heading to https://events.humanitix.com/wannonforum,” Cr Blain said.
