Five candidates for Fremantle Mayor debated key local issues—transport, housing, finances, and more—at a lively public forum hosted by Notre Dame, Fremantle Shipping News, and Fremantle Herald, ahead of the 2025 local government elections.
With just over a week to go before the 2025 Western Australian local government elections, the five candidates vying for Fremantle Mayor fronted a public forum in a spirited and engaging debate.
The 2025 Mayoral Election Debate – jointly hosted by the University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle Shipping News and the Fremantle Herald – drew a crowd of around 300 engaged locals at Tannock Hall this week.
Candidates Ben Lawver, Marija Vujcic, Mark Woodcock, Jenny Archibald and current Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge spoke on a range of issues which matter to the Fremantle public.
The wide-ranging questions from the audience covered pressing local topics, including the CAT bus service, housing affordability, cycling infrastructure, council finances, traffic and the impact of the Fremantle Traffic Bridge closure.
Voters also probed the candidates on broader issues such as the AUKUS pact, their political affiliations, approaches to homelessness and the role of activism in local government.
"This kind of open public forum is a cornerstone of local democracy," said Notre Dame's Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Sciences, Law and Business, Martin Drum.
"It allows residents to directly engage with those seeking to lead their city for the next four years, ensuring accountability on the issues that matter most to Fremantle."
The debate offered voters a chance to compare the five candidates' visions for Fremantle before voting closes on election day on Saturday 18 October.
