Queanbeyan community groups are frustrated with the lack of contact they've had with incumbent federal member for Eden-Monaro Peter Hendy in the lead-up to the federal election.
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Dr Hendy has turned down appearances at a number of "meet the candidates" forums, held by grassroots organisations, including the Jerrabomberra Residents' Association and Googong Residents' Association.
Dr Hendy responded to questions on the issue at the ballot draw in Queanbeyan on June 10.
He said he had been "meeting voters all [over] the place".
"The fact is this is an electorate the size of Switzerland and a lot of people want debates in their towns but you can't do them all in their towns," Dr Hendy said.
A spokesman for Dr Hendy said the incumbent federal member for Eden-Monaro had participated in five debates for the upcoming federal election, yet none of those were staged in Queanbeyan.
"He has attended numerous meetings in Queanbeyan in recent weeks, including with the Googong Residents' Association," the spokesman said.
While Dr Hendy did attend a meeting with the president of the Googong Residents' Association, Warwick Abrams, he declined an offer to attend the community's "meet the candidates" forum.
"Peter Hendy came back to me and said he couldn't due to his schedule. He gave me a call and agreed to meet me in his office, so I met him for half an hour.
Jerrabomberra Residents' Association had a similar scenario.
President Margot Sachse said her community group tried to speak with Dr Hendy since mid-April.
