The debate over the debate: Carroll v an empty podium the highlight of the campaign so far

Election campaigns generally involve politicians meeting with as many voters as possible, but on Thursday Premier Ben Carroll made the unusual choice of addressing two empty lecterns and a sparse lecture hall to attack Opposition Leader Jess Wilson’s leadership.

The stunt, performed for the benefit of the travelling press corps, was designed to heap pressure on Wilson to attend a Channel Nine debate between Carroll and One Nation leader Warren Pickering scheduled for next week, which she has so far refused to do. Nine is the owner of this masthead.

Discourse over a leaders’ debate has increased since Labor launched its campaign over the weekend. Wilson has refused to attend a debate where Pickering is present, while Carroll has maintained it should include leaders from all three parties.

Carroll, standing behind a Labor lectern positioned between empty One Nation and Liberal lecterns, said leadership was about “showing up and answering questions”.

“This is the debate Victorians deserve,” he said gesturing to the lecterns on either side. “This is the debate Victorians need.

“In putting yourself forward to be premier you must be prepared to answer the tough questions.”

Carroll questioned whether Wilson was hesitant to criticise One Nation publicly or because she would be questioned about forming a coalition with the party. “If you preference One Nation, you should be prepared to stand on the stage with One Nation,” he said.

Wilson also faced criticism from her independent challenger in Kew, Sophie Torney, for not attending a local candidates’ forum last week.

Carrol on Thursday said Wilson was “running scared” and didn’t want to appear on stage next to One Nation.

“I’ve RSVPed, as has Warren Pickering. The only person who hasn’t RSVPed is Jess Wilson. So what does Jess Wilson have to hide?” he told reporters at a press conference near Ballarat.

Wilson has argued all previous campaigns involved a debate between the premier and opposition leader, and that she is “happy to have a one-on-one debate with Ben Carroll” any time.

“This isn’t about any other party. This is about the two people who can be premier after this election. The two people who have different plans for this state, and I think it’s only right that we have a debate.”

Labor has repeatedly said the only way the Liberals and Nationals can win government is by forming a coalition with One Nation.

While One Nation’s primary vote is 23 per cent, according to the latest Resolve Political Monitor, there is an increasing likelihood the Coalition will win enough seats to govern outright.

One Nation threw its support behind a three-way debate by posting a video to Instagram on Thursday showing pro-One Nation comments underneath a podcast clip featuring Jess Wilson.

“No wonder the Liberal leader, Jess Wilson, doesn’t want to debate Warren. Look at the comments under her own posts!” it said.

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