The refusal by Labour and National's leaders to participate in a television debate is an affront to democracy, says United Future Party leader Peter Dunne.
TV3 cancelled its leaders debate after Prime Minister Helen Clark and National Party leader John Key refused to take part. However, Television New Zealand is going ahead with its televised debate, despite the refusal by the two leaders to take part.
Mr Dunne says the pair have secretly agreed to debate only each other on television before the election. He says voters need every opportunity they can get to make an informed choice.
Mr Dunne says voters are being told it is essentially a two-horse race, when in fact it is the minor parties that will determine the make-up of the next government.
Mr Dunne describes the move as a backroom jackup between the two old parties that is aimed at depriving the smaller parties of television airtime.
But Miss Clark says a televised debate involving all party leaders would not have been the best value for the public.
Miss Clark says the election is a choice between two kinds of governance, and a debate involving just herself and Mr Key is best suited to that purpose.
She says the decision, made by National and Labour's chiefs of staff, is not an attempt to shut out minor parties.
