DEBATES A CHANCE TO GRILL THE CANDIDATES

It was great to see former Townsville Bulletin editor Peter Gleeson in town yesterday to host the Sky News and Townsville Bulletin debate for Thuringowa. Thuringowa is a bellwether seat, one that supposedly needs to be won for parties to gain, or keep power, in the upcoming state election on October 31.

The debate was one in a series that the Townsville Bulletin, in conjunction with the Courier Mail and Sky News, has been running.

Last week the Townsville Bulletin hosted three virtual debates for the seats of Townsville, Hinchinbrook and the Burdekin.

Today Gleeso will be back with another debate, the seat of Mundingburra. This too is another key seat in the looming election.

The loss of Minister Coralee O’ROurke has hit the Labor Party hard and this will be the first test of her replacement, Councillor Les Walker.

The former deputy mayor has a high profile and a lot of political experience so it will be interesting to see how he fares in the debate.

The debate will be streamed live on the Bulletin website so tune in from noon today. Don’t worry though, if you miss today’s debate, or any of the earlier ones, replays are available online on the Bulletin’s website.

In other good news for political junkies who prefer to see the candidates put under pressure in the flesh, the Townsville Chamber of Commerce is hosting a live debate next Tuesday morning at a breakfast event.

The community will be able to grill the more than two dozen candidates running in the four electorates in the immediate city at a breakfast event at The Ville.

The timing of the debates is critical as pre-polling opens on Monday.

This means attendees will be able to gain the insight they need to make an informed decision before casting their vote ahead of election day on Saturday, October 31.

And as chamber president Michele Falconieri says, with so many events held online since the pandemic, this will be the first time residents will be able to engage with the candidates in person.