INDEPENDENT Member for Lyne Rob Oakeshott has offered his thanks to more than 630 people who took the time to attend, to listen, and to converse face-to-face with their federal MP at six community forums held throughout the electorate last week.
"More than 150 questions were taken over 12 hours, and answers were given openly and honestly," Mr Oakeshott said.
"There are a lot of issues currently before the Australian Parliament and within our local communities that people are either worried about or want further action on, or just want to talk about.
"Pricing carbon, the more heated topic at most meetings, was just one of a number of issues talked through. Others included poker machines, population growth, the economy, coal seam gas and food security, private health insurance, small business challenges, the war in Afghanistan, the importance of education and the new community legal centre," Mr Oakeshott said.
"A personal highlight for me was at the Wauchope meeting, where a young girl, about 10 years old, stood up and asked about palm oil labelling laws currently under consideration in the Parliament, and what more could be done to help save the orangutan in Borneo and Sarawak. If her consideration, awareness and critical thinking are typical of young people today, it's a good sign for the future of our region."
Mr Oakeshott said a number of follow-up meetings and contact with individuals resulted from the meetings, and the electorate office was now working on some of these issues.
"Thank you once again to all who took the time to attend," Mr Oakeshott said.
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