Victorian Liberal leader Jess Wilson joins four-way forum with Greens and One Nation after pressure for broader debate
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Jess Wilson says she will appear at a four-party leaders forum ahead of the state election after the Greens and One Nation accepted the terms of the event.
Victorian Opposition Leader Jess Wilson said she will take part in a four-way leaders forum featuring the Liberal, Labor, Greens and One Nation parties, after the debate was opened up beyond the narrow two-party format that had previously been on offer. The event, organised by News24 and the Herald Sun, is scheduled for November 17 and will involve questions from 100 swing voters.
Wilson stated, "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 added that she will use the platform to present her plan and will leave discussion of other candidates to them.
The forum comes after Wilson previously declined to join any debate limited to a head-to-head contest between Labor and the Coalition. She noted that the Greens and One Nation have now agreed to the terms of the four-way debate.
"It’s Victorians who decide this election, it’s Victorians who go into the ballot box and decide who they want to lead," Wilson said.
The inclusion of all four parties marks a shift from earlier negotiations, and the debate will be the first occasion where the leaders of the Liberal, Labor, Greens and One Nation parties face questions together.