The Meet the Candidates event was hosted by the Camden Haven Chamber of Commerce at the Laurieton United Services Club on Monday, March 11. 

Nationals MP for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams, Labor candidate Peter Alley and Greens candidate Drusi Megget attended. Sustainable Australia candidate Jan Burgess gave an apology for not being present. 

Labor candidate Peter Alley spoke first and said this year's state election was about priorities which included more support for health, education and local roads. 

He said Labor is committed to uniform nurse to patient ratios, in line with the calls by the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association.

Mr Alley also outlined a Labor government would replace demountables at schools with brick classrooms, reintroduce Gonski funding, ensure all classrooms are air conditioned and staff more teachers. 

Greens candidate Drusi Megget said she is passionate about the environment and now is the time for a plan to move to renewable energy. 

"There is no life or jobs on a dead planet," she said. 

Nationals MP for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams said this election is all about the economy. 

She said the Nationals have worked hard to make the state's economy number one in Australia and plan to keep it that way. 

Mrs Williams said she will continue to ensure that new and upgraded local schools are delivered. She gave the example of Lake Cathie Public School, which is set to gain permanent teaching spaces and upgraded core facilities as part of a planned upgrade. 

Politicians were given five minutes to field set questions based on forestry, carers of people with disabilities, support for retail businesses in the Camden Haven, the condition of Lake Cathie and recreational pill testing.  

Members of the audience were then given the opportunity to ask politicians questions. Camden Haven High School teacher Phil Baker voiced his concerns regarding the 2.5 per cent salary cap. Beach to Beach Riverwalk committee president Penny Small urged candidates to support the connectivity of the Camden Haven through the implementation of pathways. 

The Camden Haven Courier will focus on the issues in more depth with upcoming stories.