Tasmania election 2024: Premier Jeremy Rockliff and Labor Leader Rebecca White at Sky News/Mercury People’s Forum

Just three days before voters go to the polls, Premier Jeremy Rockliff and Labor leader Rebecca White covered all the major issues in a debate at town hall. WATCH THE REPLAY, HAVE YOUR SAY >>

Labor leader Rebecca White has emerged as the clear crowd favourite in the major political debate of the state election campaign.

Ms White and Liberal leader Jeremy Rockliff appeared at the Sky News/Mercury People’s Forum on Wednesday, fielding questions from Sky News chief news anchor Kieran Gilbert and audience members on the cost of living, housing, the state’s health system, the AFL stadium, recreational fishing, the environment, and the state’s skills shortage.

Ms White was the clear favourite among the audience of undecided voters, judging by the rounds of applause after each of her answers.

She was also the crowd favourite in the two previous debates, against Will Hodgman in 2018 and Peter Gutwein in 2021, going on to be defeated in both subsequent elections.

Environment groups protesting outside Hobart Town Hall made their presence heard during proceedings.

Tasmanian Labor Leader Rebecca White and Premier Jeremy Rockliff before the Sky News/ The Mercury People's Forum at the Town Hall, Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

As they made their final audition to lead the state for the next four years, both were asked what they would do if they found themselves in a position to form a minority government after Saturday’s election.

Ms White said she would respect the verdict of voters and was open to joining with minor party and independent MPs – but again ruled out a deal with the Greens or watering down policies.

Mr Rockliff said he believed his party was “within striking distance” of majority government and dubbed the alternative a “coalition of chaos”.

“I’ve been very clear from day one, I will not be doing a deal with the Greens and I will not trade off any of our policies,” he said.

“We’ve never done a deal in the past, we won’t do one in the future.”

The pair traded blows over the differences in their approach to the proposed Macquarie Point AFL stadium.

Mr Rockliff said the 100,000 people who had signed up for inaugural Tasmania Devils football club memberships showed the passion Tasmanians held for football.

“That speaks volumes about the pride Tasmanians have in their own team,” he said.

“The stadium is part of bringing the AFL team to Tasmania so we can bring the aspiration for our boys and girls in the national competition.

“We will not spend a red cent over $375m and the rest, of course will come from the private sector.”

Premier Jeremy Rockliff and ken Goyne speak after the Sky News/Mercury People's Forum at the Town Hall, Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

One member of the audience asked who were the investors willing to lose 50 per cent of their investment in what was likely to be a loss-making venture.

Ms White accused Mr Rockliff of already having walked away from the deal he signed by capping public spending at $375m.

She said the stadium was not a priority for the Labor Party.

“Whoever wins on Saturday will have to renegotiate that deal,” she said.

“Where are these magical investors from the private sector going to come from? You’ve had two years to find them. They don’t exist.”

Given the opportunity to ask each other questions, Mr Rockliff asked Ms White who she had spoken to at the AFL about the stadium deal.

Ms White asked Mr Rockliff about a constituent who was facing a years-long wait for elective surgery.

Labor Leader Rebecca White after the Sky News/Mercury People's Forum at the Town Hall, Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

Questioned about the cost of living, Mr Rockliff emphasised the government’s record on power prices and policies on cutting public transport fares and reducing stamp duty.

Ms White countered her party’s plans to reduce the cost of housing by helping first-home buyers with deposits, Labor’s rent-to-buy policy, and plans to build more apartments.

And the premier was asked whether voters should believe his party’s promises after 10 years in government.

“Elections are all about laying out strong plans for the future,” Mr Rockliff said.

He also took a question from an audience member whose friend waited hours for care after an accident.

“No, that is not good enough. Despite the fact we’ve been investing and improving when it comes to our health system this year,” he said.

Mr Rockliff said his party was committed to further improvements in health, and highlighted the Liberal’s plan to ban ramping.

Election day is Saturday.

Leaders front voters at People’s Forum days before election

Initial: Premier Jeremy Rockliff and Labor leader Rebecca White will face off in the major debate of the 2024 state election at Town Hall this afternoon.

Just three days before voters go to the polls, the two leaders will make their pitch to an audience of undecided voters at the Sky News/Mercury People’s Forum.

It won’t be a one-way conversation: audience members will be able to grill the leaders on the key issues of the campaign.

Sky News Australia Chief News Anchor Kieran Gilbert will host the one-hour forum on Wednesday 20 March at 4pm live from Hobart.

“The Sky News / Mercury People’s Forum comes at a pivotal moment in the Tasmanian campaign, just a few days out from election day.

“The beauty of this format is that a room full of undecided voters have direct access to their leaders and they get to raise whatever issues are on their minds.

“The questions are not vetted, it’s unpredictable and all on live television – it makes the People’s Forum a crucial test for both leaders.”

Mercury editor Craig Herbert said the debate would be a critical test for both leaders.

“There are so many issues affecting Tasmanians the entire length and breadth of the state and the Sky News/Mercury People’s Forum is a vital platform to have voters’ voices heard by the leaders of our two major political parties,” he said.

“This will largely be a cost-of-living election, but Tasmanians are eager to put our political parties to the test on health, housing, power prices and of course, the AFL stadium.

“The People’s Forum, unscripted and free of minders’ stage management, gives voters the chance to see where Premier Jeremy Rockliff and Tasmanian Labor Leader Rebecca White stand on these topics and many more.”

The People’s Forum broadcasts have been staged at every federal and state election since 2010, with the most recent debate held in March 2023 during the NSW state election.

The Sky News/Mercury People’s Forum will be live-streamed to subscribers at SkyNews.com.au and themercury.com.au.