Source : Perth Now news
After weeks of digging her heels into the ground and refusing to participate in a three-way leaders debate, Victoria Liberal leader Jess Wilson has agreed to appear on stage alongside Labor and One Nation leaders on one condition: the Greens are included as well.
On Saturday morning, Victorian Opposition Leader Jess Wilson said she had “committed to a people’s forum” between the leaders of the four major parties less than a month out from the upcoming state election.
“We live in a democracy and ultimately it’s Victorians who will decide this election. I’m pleased to be part of that four-way leaders forum,” she said.
Until now, Ms Wilson has refused to participate in any leadership debate outside the bounds of a traditional major party head-to-head between Labor and the Coalition.
“Ben Carroll has refused to debate me one-on-one, he’s scared. He needs his comfort blankets in the Greens and One Nation in order to stand next to me and take questions from the people,” she said.
“Ben, I’ve said many times before, I’m ready to debate you one-on-one … what are you scared of? Why won’t you take me one-on-one and have a debate?”
While announcing her commitment to the leadership forum hosted by News24 and the Herald Sun, Ms Wilson was asked how she planned to debate against One Nation’s Victorian leader Warren Pickering.
The Opposition leader, who has repeatedly been asked if she is considering forming a broader Coalition with One Nation, said she would attend the debate to talk about “my plan” and would “leave other candidates to them”.
“It’s Victorians who decide this election, It’s Victorians who go into the ballot box and decide who they want to lead,” she said.
The forum will be held on November 17 with the four leaders fielding questions from 100 swing voters.
According to the Herald Sun, the Greens and One Nation have both agreed to the terms of the four-way-debate debate.
