Calare Childcare Candidates & Families Forum

The 2025 election is coming — and regional families and communities have a lot at stake.

Early childhood education and care can be virtually impossible to access in some parts of Orange, Blayney, Mudgee, Oberon, you name it! This needs to be a top election issue.

Let's show the candidates running in your region how hard childcare access can be - and ask them what their plans will be to improve this.

Hosted by The Parenthood, this forum is 100% family-friendly and we encourage everyone to join! Food and activities will be provided, especially for the little ones.

The candidates will join from 4-5pm, however, the session will run for three hours so you can drop in whenever suits you.

There will be a suggestion box so you can leave your feedback if you're unable to stay for the candidates. If you can't make the event, please feel free to leave feedback through our virtual suggestion box. We will pass all feedback and questions on to the candidates.

Don't hesitate to reach out to Maddy at [email protected] if you have questions, would like to organise another event in the region, or want to get involved.

All candidates were invited to attend this forum. Candidates who have confirmed their attendance:

• Dr Julie Cunningham, Labor
• Sam Farraway, Nationals
• Kate Hook, Independent
• Robert O’Donovan, Independent
• Ben Parker, The Greens

Candidates who have declined:

• Andrew Gee, Independent (Incumbent)
• Jennifer Hughes, One Nation