TWO candidate forums have been scheduled to give voters the opportunity to hear from the people who want to represent them in federal Parliament.
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Bathurst will play host to the two events in late February and early March, with both possibly occurring before the 2025 election is even called.
A list of candidates has already emerged, with incumbent Andrew Gee set to fight to retain his seat against the Nationals' Sam Farraway, Labor's Dr Julie Cunningham, Greens' Ben Parker, One Nation's Jennifer Hughes ,and independents Kate Hook and Robert O'Donovan.
The first of the two candidate forums will be hosted by Doctors for the Environment Australia and Parents for Climate, with the event to be held at Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre on Tuesday, February 25.
The event starts at 6.30pm.
Dr Cunningham and Ms Hook have been confirmed as attendees, while the invitation has also been extended to the other candidates for Calare.
The organisers of the forum have said the topics for discussion on the night include the Mount Piper nuclear power plant proposal, the region's susceptibility to climate change, how to protect people from climate pollution, and how to power communities with "clean and affordable energy".
The forum is open to anyone in the public to attend.
A second candidate forum will be hosted by the Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association (CPSA) on Thursday, March 6.
This event will be held in the Bathurst RSL Club auditorium, with people asked to arrive at 10am for a 10.30am start.
Bathurst CPSA president John Hollis said the forum will operate similarly to the ones the CPSA has hosted for previous local, state and federal elections.
One difference, though, is there will be a meet and greet with the candidates over morning tea before the start of official proceedings at 10.30am.
"The whole thing is that it's an opportunity for local voters to get together and to appraise the candidates for the upcoming election," Mr Hollis said.
"It's important for the community to have access to the candidates so they can really make the best choice for the electorate, and the CPSA is very keen to emphasise that it's important for candidates to display they have plans or policy visions for the betterment of the Calare electorate."
Dr Cunningham and Ms Hook are confirmed as attending, and Mr Hollis said conversations with Mr Farraway indicate he will also join the forum.
There is still time for other candidates to confirm their attendance.
Members of the public are invited to submit written questions, which might be put to the candidates during the forum.
A box will be available at the RSL on the day of the forum.
