Gripe that debate ‘snubs’ minor parties

ONE Nation candidate for Cairns Ian Hodge has taken a swipe at the Cairns Chamber of Commerce for snubbing the minor parties at an election debate next week.

The Wednesday luncheon debate will pit each of the Labor and LNP candidates for Cairns, Mulgrave and Barron River against each other, as well as independent Cairns MP Rob Pyne.

“It’s hard to work out why,” Mr Hodge (above) said.

“If you check the Chamber of Commerce charter in regards to what it is supposed to represent Australia-wide, it’s clear there is supposed to be fairness to all sides of politics.”

Chamber president Nick Loukas it simply came down to time.

“We would like to have every party there,“he said. “If we invite the minor parties we would have to include One Nation, the Greens and independents. We’re certainly apolitical, it just comes down to what we can fit into a two-hour event that people will have time to visit.”

Mr Loukas said all candidates were welcome to buy a ticket and submit questions.