Josh Frydenberg defends decision to snub local candidates’ forum

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg is in a standoff with his Climate 200-backed independent challenger over a series of political debates.

Josh Frydenberg has defended his decision to snub a local candidates’ forum by claiming it amounted to nothing more than a “campaign rally” for his opponents.

The Treasurer and his independent federal election challenger Monique Ryan have hit an impasse in their standoff over what would be the most appropriate forum in which to debate each other.

The dispute was sparked after Mr Frydenberg refused to join Dr Ryan at the Kooyong Candidates Forum on Wednesday night organised by climate change activist group Lighter Footprints.

Dr Ryan then rejected an offer by Nine to participate in a 30-minute studio debate with Mr Frydenberg, sparking anger from interviewer Chris Uhlmann, who called for her to reconsider.

With Mr Frydenberg expected to face a tight contest in his formerly blue-ribbon Liberal electorate, he and Dr Ryan have ramped up their social media attacks on one another.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg is expected to face a tight contest in his inner-Melbourne electorate. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

Dr Ryan on Monday tweeted she would “relish the opportunity to debate” Mr Frydenberg on Nine if it was held in Kooyong rather than the network’s Docklands studio, with questions asked by locals.

The paediatric neurologist turned Climate 200-backed independent said on Tuesday she had accepted an invitation from Sky News political anchor Kieran Gilbert to debate Mr Frydenberg next week.

“The debate will be held in KOOYONG with questions from undecided KOOYONG voters. Will you accept this invitation Mr Frydenberg and face questions from the #Kooyong community?” she wrote on Twitter.

Mr Frydenberg is yet to confirm his response to the Sky News event, but he has addressed his decision to pull out of the local candidates’ forum.

Mr Frydenberg said he had participated in similar forums in recent years – including one where somebody stormed the stage and threatened to douse him in bleach – but did not deem it appropriate this time around.

“That forum will be like attending a campaign rally for my political opponents,” he told reporters earlier on Tuesday.

“The people who are organising this forum are from one side of politics and that is why appearing at that forum would be highly inappropriate.”

Dr Monique Ryan (left), pictured campaigning in Hawthorn, says she has accepted an invitation to take part in a local debate hosted by Sky News. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie

He repeated his claims that Dr Ryan was a “fake independent” and that voting for her would be a vote for the Labor Party.

“That is ultimately what would occur if people were to vote for them, so I’m focused on my electorate. I don’t take anything for granted.

He accused her of shying away from debate, even though he had done essentially the same thing.

“If the fake independent had any courage, they would turn up on Thursday to debate in front of Chris Uhlmann, as requested by Channel 9,” he said.

Mr Frydenberg, who holds Kooyong on a 6.4 per cent margin, conceded the May 21 election would be “tight indeed”.

Originally published as Josh Frydenberg defends decision to snub local candidates’ forum