Incumbent Lyons MHA Eric Hutchinson, Labor candidate Brian Mitchell and Greens candidate Hannah Rubenach-Quinn have all agreed to attend the Longford Town Hall meeting, making it the first event of its kind in the state to secure candidates from all three major parties ahead of next month’s election. 

Candidates will have three minutes to make an opening address to the crowd before taking turns to answer questions about pressing issues facing the region.

Questions will then open up to the floor before the evening concludes with light refreshments, offering residents the chance to approach candidates one-on-one. 

Meeting organiser and moderator Michael Salhani commended the three candidates for agreeing to attend the meeting. 

“I'm very happy that they've all accepted the offer, I think they all realise that it's a good thing to do and it's the first time at a federal level we've done it in Tasmania as far as I know - I don't remember seeing it at the last federal election or the one before,” Mr Salhani said. 

“This is what democracy should be - (candidates) engaging with the community, in the town hall in the biggest town in the municipality, and having a chance to communicate with those people you're trying to convince to vote for you.”

Potential solutions to the conflict between council and the Launceston Airport will be high on the meeting’s agenda, as will concerns about the Midlands’ NBN network.  

Longford’s used tyre stockpile, the increasing cost of utilities and the effect of the 457 visa tax on the region’s agriculture businesses will also be discussed. 

“This is something to benefit the community during this election period so they get to see the candidates and can judge for themselves what they're like and what they have to say.

“These are the things that we want to see our federal candidates addressing - yes there are the big national issues, but these are the local issues that are important to us.”

The meeting will kick off at 7pm and run until 9pm.