The Greens have proposed a new independent commission following what they say was a farcical leaders’ debate between Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese this past weekend.
According to the minor party, the leaders’ debate was nothing more than two so-called leaders shouting at each other.
Greens spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young issued a statement describing the debate as a woeful disservice to voters.
“We need an independent debates commission that oversees the official election debate. I will move for this in the new parliament,” Hanson-Young said.
“Australians shouldn’t be subjected to this unseemly squabble again. An election debate should be a contest of ideas and vision for our country, not chest-thumping.”
Sunday’s debate between Morrison and Albanese was broadcast by Channel Nine and followed an earlier debate hosted by Sky News.
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Hanson-Young also queried why the leaders’ debate was not hosted by the ABC and why the Greens were not invited to be represented in the debate.
“The decision-making over election debates must be taken out of the hands of political parties and politicians. Each election, we go through this farce.
“Parliament simply needs to agree to having an independent umpire, and not have the negotiating over the rules by the parties on the eve of the election,” she said.
The senator suggested the debate, which featured men shouting at each other, interrupting and talking over the top of a female moderator, would be elevated with an exchange of more substantial policy ideas.
“With the Greens included, we would also get a guaranteed debate about climate and environment policy, unlike last night,” she said.
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