Don't misquote me': Leaders clash over border during Sky News and The Courier-Mail People’s Forum

Annastacia Palaszczuk has taken out the Sky News and The Courier-Mail People's Forum over Deb Frecklington, with a group of undecided voters declaring the Premier a decisive winner in what was at times a heated debate. HOW IT UNFOLDED

Jack Mckay Domanii Cameron Tanya French

less than 2 min read

October 28, 2020 - 3:21PM

QLD 2020 Debate: Palaszczuk vs Frecklington in The People’s Forum

The votes are in and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has emerged the clear winner of the Sky News and The Courier-Mail People’s Forum.

Of 70 undecided voters, 53 per cent believe Ms Palaszczuk won, while 30 per cent gave the debate to Deb Frecklington and 17 per cent were undecided.

The pair had a fiery clash over reopening Queensland's international borders with Ms Frecklington accusing the Premier of 'verballing her' and Ms Palaszczuk accusing the opposition leader of 'misquoting' her and firing back 'I stood strong'.

They took questions from undecided voters during the one-hour forum, hosted by Sky News Chief News Anchor Kieran Gilbert, with just three days to go until Election Day.

The COVID border lockdown dominated the questions.

WATCH THE DEBATE REPLAY IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE AND SEE HOW IT UNFOLDED IN THE BLOG BELOW

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk (left) and opposition Leader Deb Frecklington engage in a debate during the Sky News - Courier Mail People's Forum at the Broncos Leagues club in Brisbane, ahead of the October 31 state election. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

During a fiery stoush over international borders, the leaders clashed when Ms Palaszczuk said the opposition called for the border to be reopened 64 times and defiantly said 'I stood strong' in the face of interstate pressure.

Ms Frecklington accused the Premier of 'verballing' her after Ms Palaszczuk said she was 'concerned' the LNP would open up borders too quickly.

Things got tense when Ms Frecklington said Ms Palaszczuk 'miraculously' opened the borders following pressure.

'That is not true, we have not opened to WA and we have a border bubble, don't misquote me please... you are misleading this forum'.

The leaders clashed over reopening the international borders when questioned over bringing international students back into Australia.

Ms Palaszczuk said it was 'huge risk' to allow international students back into Australia without hotel quarantine and 'we can't risk a huge number of international people coming into Queensland and risking our quarantine'.