Business Victor Harbor (BVH) will host a Meet the Candidates – Finniss State Election Business Forum on Thursday 26 February, bringing together state election candidates and the local business community ahead of the upcoming state election on 21 March.

The forum will be held at the Victor Harbor Golf Club and is designed to provide business owners and leaders from across the south coast Finniss electorate with a clear, structured opportunity to hear directly from candidates on issues impacting business confidence, the regional economy, and future growth.

BVH says the event will be strictly non-partisan and professionally moderated, with an independent moderator appointed to ensure fairness, neutrality and strong time management throughout the forum.

President of BVH Kirsten Pitman says the forum is designed to respect both the election process and the time pressures faced by business owners.

“This was a crucial and tightly held seat in the last election, and we owe it to businesses to hear from all candidates to make an informed decision,” she says.

“It’s a calm, well-run forum focused on business issues that matter across the Finniss electorate. Every candidate will be given equal time, consistent questions, and a fair

opportunity to outline their position.”

The forum will follow a structured format, including:

• Short opening statements from each candidate.
• A series of consistent, business-focused questions.
• Moderated audience questions submitted digitally, allowing attendees to participate equally, ask questions anonymously if they wish, and vote on the topics they consider most important.
• Closing statements from candidates.

There will be no open microphones, a deliberate decision to keep the discussion focused, respectful and on schedule.

All the so far declared candidates have been invited to participate, with sitting Liberal MP David Basham and Independent candidates Bronwyn Lewis and Lou Nicholson confirmed to attend.

One Nation’s Greg Powell and Labor’s Phoebe Redington have also been invited; the SA Greens are yet to name a candidate. Additional candidates may be confirmed.

Tickets can be purchased via Humanitix.

Ms Pitman says the forum reflects Business Victor Harbor’s role as an advocate for the local business community.

“Our role is to create space for informed, respectful conversation. This forum gives business owners the opportunity to listen, compare positions and make up their own minds — without noise or pressure.”