Fairfax Tasmania will host two exclusive debates between Premier Will Hodgman and Opposition Leader Rebecca White in the lead up to the March election.
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The Advocate will hold the first debate between the two would-be premiers on February 13 in Burnie and The Examiner will hold the second debate on February 20 in Launceston.
Fairfax Tasmania managing editor Mark Baker said the debates were the only public forums between the two leaders vying to be premier during the election campaign.
“Bass, Braddon and Lyons are crucial to any party forming government and it’s very important that voters in those electorates hear firsthand from the two leaders, one of whom will be Tasmania’s next premier,” Baker said.
Ten out of the 15 government MHAs are based in Bass, Braddon and the northern half of Lyons. Labor will need to pick up extra seats in all three electorates to win the March 3 poll.
“The plans the major party leaders have for these regions and how they communicate them with voters will be a deciding factor in who forms government,” Baker said.
“But it’s not just about hearing their sales pitches. We will be putting the questions, concerns and criticism of local voters to each leader.”
The Examiner editor Courtney Greisbach will moderate the Launceston debate and wants to hear from readers on the areas they would like canvassed.
Use the form at the bottom of this story to submit your question for the debate. You can always keep up with our election coverage via our live blog.
Premier Will Hodgman said he was looking forward to the debates.
“These debates will provide an important opportunity to talk about our vision to take the North and North-West to the next level,” Mr Hodgman said.
Opposition Leader Rebecca White said she wanted Braddon and Bass voters to have a clear picture of what Labor stood for and the areas it would prioritise.
“Particularly fixing the crisis in the health and hospital system, education, jobs and building important regional infrastructure and supporting regional economies,” Ms White said.
Fairfax Tasmania has partnered with the Launceston and Burnie chambers of commerce to facilitate the debates.
The debates, to be held at the Burnie Arts and Function Centre at 12.30pm and at the Country Club Resort at 6.30pm, are free but people are asked to register to track seating capacity.
Go to the Launceston Chamber of Commerce website to register for the Launceston event and the Burnie Chamber of Commerce website to register for the Burnie event.