Victorian state election: No date set for free-to-air leaders' debate

Date
    November 13, 2014


Victorian voters are no closer to having a free-to-air state election leaders' debate despite another pitch from the ABC for a televised forum during the campaign.

Currently, the only debate scheduled is on pay TV channel Sky News to be held in Frankston on November 19.

Both parties have been unable to agree on a suitable time, despite offers from the ABC and Fairfax Media to host a leaders' forum.

The ABC has proposed a debate on the Monday of the last week of the campaign. The hour-long debate would be at 7.30pm.


Labor state secretary Noah Carroll said leader Daniel Andrews was available and willing to take part.

The Liberal Party said it would consider the offer.

But Mr Carroll said that it would only agree to a debate if the Liberal Party agreed by the close of business on Thursday.

"Should we be compelled to withdraw this . . . it shall be in clear recognition of the recalcitrance and bad faith that the Liberal Party have demonstrated throughout these discussions in addition to the drama that last minute scheduling would likely impose upon Daniel and the campaign," Mr Carroll said. 

He said Labor did not consider it appropriate or fair for those that had tried for months to finalise a series of debates "to be ambushed with an 11th hour willingness that has heretofore been clearly lacking from Denis Napthine".

On Thursday afternoon, a Liberal Party spokesman said it would consider the ABC's request for another date.

"We don't respond to [an] arbitrary timeline set by the opposition," the spokesman said.

"There will be another public debate held next week. The Premier is looking forward to outlining the Coalition's vision and strong plans for Victoria."

Dr Napthine dodged questions on a second debate during a Thursday press conference, saying an offer was made for November 7 but Mr Andrews was unavailable.

The ALP said that they told the Liberals they were unavailable on that date in September.

ABC News Victorian editor Shane Castleman said it would be extremely disappointed if it could not host a debate.

"Time is getting out of our control a bit. We will be scrambled to do it but we are very keen," Mr Castleman said.

"We see it as part of our election coverage. We are looking at it from the perspective of our audience, we have a duty to them."

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/victoria-state-election-2014/victorian-state-election-no-date-set-for-freetoair-leaders-debate-20141113-11m34t.html#ixzz3Ivtn3R53

Just over two weeks to go.  Looking forward to Victoria getting our new premier.      

perceptions_now wrote on Nov 13^th, 2014 at 6:44pm:


We do - Abbott is leading while Shorten hides under his desk.

Who needs a leaders' debate when Labor's ahead on the latest poll 56 to 44?