The Examiner will host an exclusive Northern debate between the two candidates for premier of Tasmania.
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The debate between Premier Peter Gutwein and Opposition Leader Rebecca will be held on April 22 in Launceston.
The debate will be one of few public forums between the two leaders vying to be premier during the election campaign.
"The North, particularly Bass and Lyons, has been crucial in delivering a majority government in the past," editor Courtney Greisbach said.
"It's very important that voters in these electorates hear firsthand from the two leaders, one of whom will be Tasmania's next premier."
Six of 10 seats in these electorates are held by the Liberals. Much like the 2018 election, Labor will need to pick up a seat in each electorate to win the May 1 poll.
The Examiner has partnered with regional leaders the Launceston Chamber of Commerce and the Northern Development Corporation to deliver the event.
"We are grateful to have the support of these two organisations and their involvement strengthens the united, regional approach to ensuring the priorities of the region can be examined," Greisbach said.
NTDC chief executive Mark Baker said it was great to join The Examiner as the voice of Northern Tasmania and the Launceston Chamber of Commerce as the voice of business to provide a regional economic development perspective.
"Working together will be crucial as Tasmania continues to recover from the impacts of COVID-19, so NTDC is delighted to be demonstrating that through this collaboration," he said.
"Economic development is obviously about economic growth and creating wealth and jobs but it is also about better health and educational outcomes, falling levels of disadvantage and higher standards of living."
Launceston Chamber of Commerce chief executive David Peach echoed those thoughts.
"This election is all about confidence. Who're we most confident can do the job of leading Tasmania through a post-pandemic recovery.
"Health, education, employment, government support, export trade, infrastructure spending... the list of topics needing attention is long, and forms a complex and interrelated puzzle needing a coordinated plan to solve.
"Tasmanians need to be confident in who'll deliver that for Tasmania. For the voters, the debate plays a role in clarifying important issues and revealing differences in parties' positions; and for the media they allow reporters to set an agenda and interrogate issues on behalf of the public, particularly those the leaders may not have adequately addressed in their more general releases."
- The debate will begin at 6pm at the Country Club, Launceston. The event is free and registrations are essential via launcestontickets.com.au/event/13115