Six federal election candidates met with 30 volunteers from member groups of the Tasmanian Coalition for the Eradication of Poverty and the general public at the McDougall Building on Tuesday 20 November. The candidates were Julie Collins (ALP), Vanessa Goodwin (Liberal), Helen Hutchinson and Andrew Wilkie (Greens), Matt Holloway (Socialist Alliance) and Gino Papiccio (Family First).

The meeting included a short briefing for the candidates on domestic and global poverty, followed by personal statements from volunteers about the need to eradicate poverty and why they are advocates. Candidates were then asked to commit to eradicating poverty through the Parliament should they be elected, or through their party structures if they were not. All Candidates committed and had their photographs taken with their pledge for posting on this website.

At this stage one Candidate, Julie Collins, has been elected as the new Member for Franklin. She replaces retiring Member Harry Quick. Outcomes of the Senate count are yet to be finalised.

The general feeling amongst volunteers and candidates was that the meeting was valuable and empowering, and has established a strong base for ongoing relationships with new Members and the parties.