Tough questions

GEMBROOK voters asked their candidates the tough questions at a community forum last week in Emerald.
Sitting MP Tammy Lobato squared off against her Liberal opponent Brad Battin and Democratic Labor Party candidate Larry Norman at St Mark’s Anglican church in a series of questions posed by local Christian leaders.
Each candidate was forced to provide unscripted answers to questions on abortion, euthanasia, the cervical cancer vaccine, and the role of Christian teachers in Christian schools.
Tennessee-born Mr Norman shared his battles against alcohol addiction with the audience and explained how he turned his life around.
“After 20 years of getting drunk, I thought ‘enough is enough’,” he said.
“I met a lady, who is now my wife, and she taught me there was so much to live for.”
Mr Norman told the St Marks audience that politicians should help people who take drugs and alcoholics to overcome their addictions.
“People don’t have to hit rock bottom to change,” he said. Mr Norman was definitive, saying “definitely not” when asked if he was a supporter of gay marriage.
He was also asked to provide his stance on abortion and replied by saying: “I’m pro life.
“My wife is a theatre nurse and she has shown me how precious young life is.”
Labor MP Tammy Lobato explained how she first became involved in politics.
“I went back to school, studying a Bachelor of Community Development after I had my first child, Archie in 1997,” she said.
“I was approached by the Labor Party in my final year to stand.
“I initially declined but eventually decided to run and for eight years I’ve been honoured and privileged to represent the people of Gembrook,” she said.
Ms Lobato had no trouble answering a question on the Christian education system, saying “Christian-based schools should have the right to hire only Christian teachers”.
She was also quizzed about euthanasia and said: “If a Bill (to allow it) reached the lower house, I wouldn’t support it.
“I’m in favour of an upgraded palliative care system instead.”
Liberal candidate Brad Battin agreed with Ms Lobato on both the Christian education and euthanasia questions.
The married father of two provided frank answers to a number of questions, saying the word ‘marriage’ should only apply to a relationship between a man and a woman and declaring he wouldn’t support gay adoption.