THE Examiner's State Leaders Debate was a timely opportunity - at the beginning of the last week in the election campaign - for Tasmanians to see the quality of the young party leaders, pitching their achievements and their aspirations to us as voters and citizens.
What was I hoping to see?
In broad terms I wanted to hang my swinging vote on a party that could convince me that they had a "policy framework" that would see their promises turn into reality, supported by a sustainable fiscal strategy.
What did I see?
Overall impressions were of two careful leaders, Will Hodgman and David Bartlett, and one engaging "rock star", Nick McKim.
The Green supporters in the Tamar Valley greeted much of Mr McKim's proclamations with acclamation.
Premier Bartlett was measured and cautious, and drew polite applause and some guffaws from the audience around his Government's record.
Mr Hodgman looked relaxed, well briefed and comfortable with the format, and a responsive audience. He challenged the audience to trust him and his party.
There was little risk taking, although Mr McKim occasionally abandoned the time constraints imposed to loudly deal with an issue - such as the pulp mill approval process - that he knew would meet audience expectation.
Much of what we heard was a rerun of key theme areas and perceived strengths. Mr Bartlett on opportunities and key drivers for prosperity; Mr Hodgman on public trust, Labor's 12 years in power and majority government; Mr McKim on a green sustainable future, sanctity of Parliament and transparent governance at all levels.
Mr Bartlett was very good on an understanding of what the challenges are for Tasmania and what the responses need to be, with education at the front and centre of that approach.
He was very good on the questions of local government and its link to local communities and identity, and the demographic challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
He understands the complexity of the challenge ahead but he didn't connect as well with the audience that his message deserved.
Mr Hodgman acknowledged the need for honesty and integrity in government but, along with the Premier, underplayed the significance - for this audience - of the pulp mill assessment calamity.
He understood the importance of local participation and ownership of policy development at a regional and local level, and focused on good public service outcomes regardless of location.
He played the majority government card well at a critical time in the campaign.
Will his team be as attractive to voters?
Mr McKim started impressively with an engaged style that appealed to his constituency in the audience and was informed about the challenges and opportunities in the issue-based policy areas.
He made the cost of living a Green core policy.
Major project assessment and water quality, trust and faith in government and the only "yes" to negotiation around election platforms in a minority government situation drew strong positive applause.
Some of his aspirations, while grand, reached beyond what could be achieved by state governments; e.g. stopping $2 fees at an ATM.
Tasmanians are fortunate that we have three young political leaders of quality.
What came through at the debate was that they and the political parties they lead are fully aware of both the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for Tasmania.
Now we will decide who will have that responsibility.
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