Greens leader Shane Rattenbury, Canberra Liberals leader Elizabeth Lee, Labor Chief Minister Andrew Barr and Independents for Canberra’s Thomas Emerson will lock horns at the election forum on Wednesday. Photos: Region.
The four leaders of the four main political forces vying for power at the upcoming ACT election will be grilled at Canberra Decides, to be broadcast on Riotact’s Facebook page from 6 pm on Wednesday, 18 September.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr, Canberra Liberals leader Elizabeth Lee, ACT Greens’ leader Shane Rattenbury and Independents for Canberra’s lead candidate Thomas Emerson will lock horns in a forum moderated by former Region Group Editor and now Hands Across Canberra CEO Genevieve Jacobs.
“I think it’s going to be pretty fiery and pretty interesting,” Ms Jacobs said.
“We are focusing on Canberra’s future. We’re at this interesting transition point where there’s a bit of uncertainty about the outcome of this year’s election. The chance to hear a pitch in real-time from our leaders with some well-informed experts on our panel will be a very valuable one.”
The Chief Minister confirmed he will be attending on Wednesday night.
“I will continue to outline Labor’s progressive, positive and proven plans for Canberra,” Mr Barr said.
“We know that Canberrans are proud of where they live and I’ll make sure we continue to deliver practical investments that provide more services in every part of the ACT.”
Mr Emerson said he’s pleased to be part of a platform with the major parties for independents to speak about how they intend to do things differently.
“I’ve appeared alongside Mr Rattenbury and Ms Lee in a number of forums, but Mr Barr has been nowhere to be seen. I’m glad he’s made the time to speak at this one,” he said.
“What I hear from people is they feel the government has become complacent and less interested in listening than they should be.”
The debate is the second in a series of three that are taking place at the Lonsdale St Studio in Braddon. All are interactive – audience members can vote in polls or ask questions by downloading the Slido app or going to slido.com. A Slido code will be provided at the start of the forum coverage.
“We had a strong discussion last week with just one MLA and three people who are hoping to be MLAs. This time, we’ve gone straight to the top. If you want to understand what leadership promises are being made and how differently that may play out, then this is the one not to miss,” Ms Jacobs said.
An expert panel has been assembled to question the debate participants – Canberra Business Chamber Board Chair Archie Tsirimokos, ACT Council of Social Services CEO Dr Devon Bowles and a newcomer to the forum, Australian National University marketing expert Dr Andrew Hughes.
“Professor Hughes is a well-known national commentator. One of his specialties is understanding the spin that candidates put out during elections. I think he’s someone that will ask some interesting questions and draw some interesting responses,” Ms Jacobs said.
A third and final debate will be broadcast on the Riotact Facebook page at 6 pm on Wednesday, 25 September. It will cover cost of living and include Independents for Canberra candidate in Brindabella Dr Vanessa Picker, ACT Greens Deputy Leader Rebecca Vassarotti, who is contesting Kurrajong, Liberal MLA in Murrumbidgee Ed Cocks and Deputy Chief Minister Yvette Berry, who is contesting Ginninderra.
You can register your intention to watch the election forum on Facebook. Full coverage of all three events is also being posted to Region’s YouTube channel after each debate.
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