Two community leaders who guided the South Coast through this summer’s devastating bushfires, may be about to face-off in a by-election in the federal seat of Eden-Monaro.
Held by Labor, the marginal seat is now vacant following the retirement of Mike Kelly, for health reasons.
NSW Transport Minister and Bega MP Andrew Constance has been named a potential Liberal Party candidate after State Deputy Premier and Nationals Leader John Barilaro ruled himself out, while Labor Leader Anthony Albanese has already declared his support for Bega Mayor Kristy McBain.
Ms McBain spoke to UTS Journalism students in Bega over summer, during another weekend of emergency level bushfires.
She explained how diversification was at the centre of the council’s Climate Resilience Strategy and how the council was already considering the best possible response in the event of future bushfire emergencies.
Interview: Hanh Yoon
Video and Featured Image: Lanie Tindale
Audio: Kate Atkinson
