Premier Carroll calls on Opposition Leader Wilson to face voters in three-way debate
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Victoria premier Ben Carroll urged opposition leader Jess Wilson to take part in a scheduled three-way debate with One Nation leader Warren Pickering after she declined the invitation, arguing that political leaders should not hide from public scrutiny.
Victoria Premier Ben Carroll used a press conference near Ballarat to press Opposition Leader Jess Wilson to join a televised three-way debate with One Nation leader Warren Pickering. The debate, organized by Channel Nine and The Age, is set for next week, and Carroll said it should include leaders from all three parties so voters can hear directly from everyone seeking power.
Carroll stood behind a Labor lectern placed between empty One Nation and Liberal lecterns and said leadership requires "showing up and answering questions" rather than avoiding scrutiny. He added that candidates who prefer One Nation should be prepared to share the stage with its leader, instead of trying to shape the contest on their own terms.
Wilson has so far declined to appear alongside Pickering, arguing that previous campaigns featured only a premier-opposition leader debate. She said she is willing to hold a one-on-one debate with Carroll at any time, stressing that the contest is between the two candidates who could become premier.
The premier noted that both he and Pickering have confirmed their attendance, while Wilson has not responded to the invitation.