PM calls for independent poll debate body

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says Labor is standing in the way of an independent election debate body being set up.

After the third debate in the 2019 federal election campaign, Mr Morrison and then Labor leader Bill Shorten publicly agreed to a debate commission being set up.

It would avoid the ad hoc system which involves media companies bidding to host the two leaders.

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Mr Morrison and Anthony Albanese took part in a Sky News debate this week, but its viewership was severely limited due to Sky being a pay TV service.

Asked whether he would take part in an ABC-hosted debate, Mr Morrison said he was happy to do three debates during the campaign.

“I think we should establish an independent debates commission for elections,” he told ABC Radio on Friday.

“The Labor Party rejected that, despite the fact that Bill Shorten agreed, right there on the podium with me in Canberra (in 2019).

“So that’s what I was hoping (to organise) before this election.”

Asked more broadly about ABC funding, Mr Morrison said the public broadcaster was properly supported as it had a key role to play, especially in regional areas and during natural disasters.

However, he sounded a note of caution about the broadcaster’s political coverage.

“There is a lot more commentary than there is news sometimes,” he said.

PM calls for independent poll debate body
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