Premier Carroll urges Opposition Leader Wilson to join three-way debate
Victoria's premier Ben Carroll called on opposition leader Jess Wilson to participate in a scheduled three-way debate with One Nation leader Warren Pickering, after she declined the invitation.
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.
Carroll stood behind a Labor lectern placed between empty One Nation and Liberal lecterns and said leadership requires "showing up and answering questions". He added that candidates who prefer One Nation should be ready to share the stage with its leader.
Wilson has so far declined to appear alongside Pickering, arguing that previous campaigns featured only a premier-opposition leader debate. She stated she is willing to hold a one-on-one debate with Carroll at any time, emphasizing 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.