Liberal candidate for Eden-Monaro Peter Hendy refused his "last chance" to face the Queanbeyan community at a meet the candidates forum in his hometown on Wednesday night.
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Dr Hendy was one of only two federal candidates for Eden-Monaro who did not appear at a forum in the electorate's largest city.
This led to his main opponent for Saturday's election to describe him as a "unicorn", following his lack of appearances at a number of community events during the election campaign in the Eden-Monaro.
Labor candidate Mike Kelly said he was "outraged" at Dr Hendy's lack of attendance at community debates.
"It's just very sad, this was his last chance to demonstrate he was engaging with the community," Dr Kelly said.
"He is the first member in the history of Eden-Monaro to have done that and it shows utter contempt for this community.
"Peter Hendy just sleeps here, we live here," Dr Kelly said.
In a statement, Dr Hendy said he had met with residents through other channels.
"Over the course of the election campaign I've met and contacted thousands of Queanbeyan residents," he said.
"I don't need to attend events organised by my political opponents to do this."
The night was organised by five community groups: the Queanbeyan, Jerrabomberra, Googong, and Greenleigh residents' groups and the Queanbeyan Business Chamber.
Former Queanbeyan councillor Jamie Cregan was the moderator for the night and said he was disappointed not to see Dr Hendy there.
"This is a Queanbeyan first, all the residents' groups and the Business Chamber working together to get the candidates here and give an opportunity for views to be heard, and it was a golden opportunity to stand up for their views stand up for what you believe is best for the community," Mr Cregan said.
"It would have been great if he was here."
About 60 people attended the event at the Queanbeyan Kangaroos Club.
The panel had diverse views on the topics discussed, but their one trope was referencing Hendy's absence.
At one point, Mr Kelly described Hendy as "a unicorn".
"We've heard stories about him, but no one is really sure whether he exists or not," he quipped.
The other absentee candidate was the Christian Democratic Party's Ursula Bennett, who attributed her absence to a lack of appropriate transport from her home on the south coast to Queanbeyan.
