The Tasmanian Greens are accusing the two major parties of cutting them out of leaders' debates ahead of the state election on March 15.

The Premier, Lara Giddings, and the Liberal leader, Will Hodgman, have agreed to face-off three times during the campaign.

The first debate has been organised by the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry tomorrow afternoon in Hobart and people will have to pay to attend.

Ms Giddings and Mr Hodgman will go head to head again in Launceston at another ticketed event while the third debate will be broadcast on Pay TV.

The Launceston Chamber of Commerce had asked the Greens to its debate but later withdrew the invitation, saying it had changed the format after discussions with the major parties.

The Greens Leader Nick McKim is disappointed he has been excluded.

"It is important for our democracy that Tasmanians get to hear from all candidates," said Mr McKim.

"Questions were proposed to come from the Tasmanian people to the three leaders in a debate that was open to the public and was televised.

"That's the sort of debate we should be having."

The Premier Lara Giddings has rejected the suggestion.

"There's only two alternatives as the next premier of Tasmania and that's Will Hodgman or myself," said the Premier.

Will Hodgman says he would debate Mr McKim, instead of the Premier, but not both.

"The debate should be between the two parties that lead this state and lead the political debate, they being the Liberal Party and the Labor Party.

"Nick McKim was a Minister up until just a few weeks ago, I don't think it appropriate that he be permitted to engage in a debate when he has been part of the problem."

Labor and the Liberals rejected the ABC's offer to host a free-to-air debate with the three party leaders in front of a live audience.


http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/21428462/tasmanian-greens-leader-left-out-of-pre-election-debates/

No poll boost for Labor after Greens split


The EMRS poll of 1000 voters showed little change in support for the three main parties since the last poll in November, with Labor's split from the Greens failing to boost its popularity.

Excluding undecided voters, the Liberals remain comfortably on track to win majority government on March 15, claiming 50 per cent support.

Labor's vote rose 1 per cent to 23 per cent, while support for the Greens dropped slightly to 17 per cent.

Ms Giddings said the large number of swinging voters was enough to propel Labor to victory.

"What we have to do now in this election campaign is talk to those undecided voters," Ms Giddings said.

"They are the critical people."

Greens leader Nick McKim said his party's popularity was rivalling Labor's based on figures including the undecideds, which puts his party just 2 per cent behind Labor.

When asked the first time who they intended to vote for, just 16 per cent nominated Labor and 14 per cent said the Greens.

"On this poll we are basically level pegging with Labor, with just four weeks to go," Mr McKim said.

Deputy Liberal leader Jeremy Rockliff said the poll showed only the Liberals could form majority government.

There was also very little change in the preferred premier stakes with 48 per cent naming Mr Hodgman as their choice, well ahead of Ms Giddings whose personal approval rating sits at 21 per cent.


http://www.examiner.com.au/story/2088225/no-poll-boost-for-labor-after-greens-split/?cs=95

Greenie, you ought to go into writing novels. You'd make a fortune in science-fiction.

No not 'scared'. But since there's no chance that the Greens could form Government in the Tas state election, there's also no point in including the Greens' leader in a debate between future premiers either.

____ wrote on Feb 15^th, 2014 at 6:31am:

The Greens Leader Nick McKim is disappointed he has been excluded. "It is important for our democracy that Tasmanians get to hear from all candidates," said Mr McKim.

what would he WHINE about... how disappointed he is in Lab/Libs... whine whine...we know greeny never a word of praise everything negative...WE KNOW..

gizmo_2655 wrote on Feb 15^th, 2014 at 7:50am:

No not 'scared'. But since there's no chance that the Greens could form Government in the Tas state election, there's also no point in including the Greens' leader in a debate between future premiers either.

10%....hysterical. ;D ;D ;D ;D

gizmo_2655 wrote on Feb 15^th, 2014 at 7:50am:

No not 'scared'. But since there's no chance that the Greens could form Government in the Tas state election, there's also no point in including the Greens' leader in a debate between future premiers either.

Statistacally that is incorrect since Greens could hold the balance and besides a LibLab coalition, one of the olds may join Greens in an alliance to form govt.

cods wrote on Feb 15^th, 2014 at 8:36am:

gizmo_2655 wrote on Feb 15th, 2014 at 7:50am: No not 'scared'. But since there's no chance that the Greens could form Government in the Tas state election, there's also no point in including the Greens' leader in a debate between future premiers either. 10%....hysterical. ;D ;D ;D ;D

May as well invite every leader of every micro party to the leaders debate just on the off chance that both all of the ALP and Coalition candidates are all killed in a plane crash on separate flights on separate days...

cods wrote on Feb 15^th, 2014 at 8:35am:

____ wrote on Feb 15th, 2014 at 6:31am: The Greens Leader Nick McKim is disappointed he has been excluded. "It is important for our democracy that Tasmanians get to hear from all candidates," said Mr McKim. what would he WHINE about... how disappointed he is in Lab/Libs... whine whine...we know greeny never a word of praise everything negative...WE KNOW..

That is what the olds are scared of … a positive message from the Greens while they do their usual negativity …. just like you.

____ wrote on Feb 15^th, 2014 at 8:49am:

gizmo_2655 wrote on Feb 15th, 2014 at 7:50am: No not 'scared'. But since there's no chance that the Greens could form Government in the Tas state election, there's also no point in including the Greens' leader in a debate between future premiers either. Statistacally that is incorrect since Greens could hold the balance and besides a LibLab coalition, one of the olds may join Greens in an alliance to form govt.

I doubt any Party will ever form an alliance with the Greens again.

Fear and hatred buys votes...Just look at the rise of Abbott.
You wont hear a positive message in any election campaign until this generation of Conservative hatemongers are dead and buried.

St George of the Garden wrote on Feb 15^th, 2014 at 8:55am:

____ wrote on Feb 15th, 2014 at 8:49am: gizmo_2655 wrote on Feb 15th, 2014 at 7:50am: No not 'scared'. But since there's no chance that the Greens could form Government in the Tas state election, there's also no point in including the Greens' leader in a debate between future premiers either. Statistacally that is incorrect since Greens could hold the balance and besides a LibLab coalition, one of the olds may join Greens in an alliance to form govt. I doubt any Party will ever form an alliance with the Greens again.

Yeah the olds are sooooo much to their word aye.

I know the micros like the Greens (and Dems when they were around) like to call the LNP & Lab “old parties” as denigration but actually it is a compliment—old enough, tough enough to have survived. Doubt the Greens will ever be called “olds”—8% support nationwide, unable to be a Party of government even when they ARE part of the govt.

I think it is the structure of support for your Party of Protest:

Trots, commos etc from old Labor SL.

NIMBYs wanting their area to look “noice” with no windfarms etc

Inner urban young professionals.

You can’t please all three—Greens will always be conservatives masquerading as progressives.

The olds have worked together to keep their duopoly yet Greens step by step are breaking through the glass ceilings.

This election could see the Greens surpass Labor as the alternative and labor as being the hasbeen.

The libs are scared because they are use to the pathetic front labor gives up at elections and so are predictable. Greens on the otherhand are the lib's nemesis, shorterm and longterm.

Where libs stand for a quick buck and buggar the consequences, Greens are for building an economy based on sustainability.

St George of the Garden wrote on Feb 15^th, 2014 at 8:55am:

____ wrote on Feb 15th, 2014 at 8:49am: gizmo_2655 wrote on Feb 15th, 2014 at 7:50am: No not 'scared'. But since there's no chance that the Greens could form Government in the Tas state election, there's also no point in including the Greens' leader in a debate between future premiers either. Statistacally that is incorrect since Greens could hold the balance and besides a LibLab coalition, one of the olds may join Greens in an alliance to form govt. I doubt any Party will ever form an alliance with the Greens again.

Expect Labor to battle to ever form government again then, especially in Tassy.

When we see images of wealthy chinese wiping their arses with the paper made from Tassies old growth forests people will quickly change their minds on whats important in Tasmania.

gizmo_2655 wrote on Feb 15^th, 2014 at 7:50am:

No not 'scared'. But since there's no chance that the Greens could form Government in the Tas state election, there's also no point in including the Greens' leader in a debate between future premiers either.

The Greens are going to win seats, though. That makes them relevant so there is a point to including them in a debate.

This "not likely to be Premier" argument is just a carefully-framed excuse that is intended to exclude the Greens.

So Clive should also take part in the debates?

Clive isn't running.

George, when lab slides even more and is third or fourth, should they be included in leader's election debates?

PUP is.

Yeah I know … so are the socialist alliance, christian party, and national party

So should they take part in the Leaders debate?

Do they have current representatives in the state government?

____ wrote on Feb 15^th, 2014 at 8:51am:

cods wrote on Feb 15th, 2014 at 8:35am: ____ wrote on Feb 15th, 2014 at 6:31am: The Greens Leader Nick McKim is disappointed he has been excluded. "It is important for our democracy that Tasmanians get to hear from all candidates," said Mr McKim. what would he WHINE about... how disappointed he is in Lab/Libs... whine whine...we know greeny never a word of praise everything negative...WE KNOW.. That is what the olds are scared of … a positive message from the Greens while they do their usual negativity …. just like you.

oh come on greeny no one whines like you and your mates.. either that or PANIC....you are good at it I will give you that.. but people are waking up to the phony.. who you really are the

DONT DO AS I DO ONLY AS I SAY. PARTY..

one of your fellow travelers claimed she was doing her bit for the environment by not having a car and using someone elses.....

its true it made complete sense to her...

I am still waiting to see milne or shy riding a bike.. ::) ::).. instead of the aircond cars...and planes they prefer.

cods wrote on Feb 15^th, 2014 at 10:36am:

____ wrote on Feb 15th, 2014 at 8:51am: cods wrote on Feb 15th, 2014 at 8:35am: ____ wrote on Feb 15th, 2014 at 6:31am: The Greens Leader Nick McKim is disappointed he has been excluded. "It is important for our democracy that Tasmanians get to hear from all candidates," said Mr McKim. what would he WHINE about... how disappointed he is in Lab/Libs... whine whine...we know greeny never a word of praise everything negative...WE KNOW.. That is what the olds are scared of … a positive message from the Greens while they do their usual negativity …. just like you. oh come on greeny no one whines like you and your mates.. either that or PANIC....you are good at it I will give you that.. but people are waking up to the phony.. who you really are the DONT DO AS I DO ONLY AS I SAY. PARTY.. one of your fellow travelers claimed she was doing her bit for the environment by not having a car and using someone elses..... its true it made complete sense to her... I am still waiting to see milne or shy riding a bike.. ::) ::).. instead of the aircond cars...and planes they prefer.

Stating the consequences of liblab policies are not panic, it is observation and logic.

As for sharing a car, it takes less resorces and those resources are used more efficiently. It's a good move by the person.

Could you show us how via riding a bike you can get to refugee camps overseas?

____ wrote on Feb 15^th, 2014 at 10:06am:

Do they have current representatives in the state government?

It is about the coming govt that the election will decide.

You Greens not so keen on real democracy I have noticed.

I said nothing of the sort.
You are mistaking your own position for mine.