Josh Frydenberg on so-called 'independent' Monique Ryan's refusal to debate him
Monday, 25 April 2022
MONIQUE RYAN’S REFUSAL TO DEBATE ME ON CHANNEL 9 THIS THURSDAY
Following a request from Channel 9, I agreed to debate the so-called “Independent” Candidate for Kooyong, Monique Ryan.
I welcome a fair and balanced debate in a non-partisan forum about the important issues facing my community.
Monique Ryan has declined Channel 9’s invitation to debate me this Thursday.
This is no surprise.
The so-called “Independent” candidate in Kooyong has no detailed policies, no costings and is refusing to tell the Kooyong electorate who they would support in the event of a hung Parliament.
So much for the ‘transparency’ they are calling for.
A local climate activist group, Lighter Footprints, is hosting a debate this week for candidates in the Kooyong electorate.
In previous years, I have attended - even though one year, someone tried to storm the stage with what was claimed to be a bucket of bleach (fortunately it was not) and law enforcement intervened.
This year, I have made clear I will not be attending.
Lighter Footprints is a front for those campaigning against me.
On its current Facebook group, seven people are named as admins and moderators.
This includes two former Greens candidates; a key organiser for the Ryan campaign promoted on Ryan’s website; another who has promoted my vandalised billboards on social media; and Michael Staindl, the person who tried and failed to challenge my eligibility to sit in the Parliament under Section 44 of the Constitution after the 2019 election.
Participating in a debate hosted by Lighter Footprints would be akin to attending a campaign rally organised by my political opponents.
This is not to say that climate change is not a very important issue. It is.
I have been a strong advocate for net zero emissions by 2050, to which our Government has committed and has a plan to meet.
However, it is not the only important issue at stake at the upcoming election and, therefore, should not be the only issue debated between candidates.
A wide-ranging, fair and balanced debate would expose the truth.
The so-called “Independents” are nothing more than a slogan and a billboard.
I look forward to debating Monique Ryan this Thursday, as proposed by Channel 9, should she reconsider her decision.