A political debate in Queenstown later this month will be the biggest gathering of major party leaders in the 2008 election race and the largest gathering of its type in Queenstown for many years, organisers say.
It took some work to get the politicians diaries' co-ordinated, but the Queenstown Chamber of Commerce felt it had scored a coup, with a senior line-up that was unlikely to be replicated before the November 8 election, Chamber chief executive Ann Lockhart said.
Progessives leader Jim Anderton, Labour Party deputy leader Michael Cullen, Act Party founder and candidate Roger Douglas, National Party deputy leader Bill English, Green Party co-leader Russel Norman and NZ First leader Winston Peters will take part in the chamber's Great Debate on Queenstown on October 28.
"It is certainly the biggest gathering of high-powered political leaders in Queenstown for many years . . . I understand it is a one-off before the election."
While Clutha-Southland was not usually a marginal seat, she sold to the politicians the idea of a debate in Queenstown by emphasising the importance of Queenstown as a contributor to the national economy through the tourism industry, Ms Lockhart said.
"Tourism is this region's lifeblood and the country's largest industry in terms of foreign exchange earnings.
''As we head into challenging times for this industry, we need a good understanding of party platforms in terms of the issues specific to our region and Queenstown needs to make its political choices carefully.
"This event will give Queenstowners the opportunity to ask each party leader how they expect to support our businesses and our community, as well as a forum to have politicians understand the issues peculiar to this region.
''The economy will also be a significant topic and the lead-up to the election is a good time to get the ear of those in Parliament."
Queenstown had some other unique issues that it wanted to hear political party's views on, including the future of the tourism industry, affordable housing and immigration.
It was a rare opportunity for Queenstown people, and she hoped they would take advantage of it.
Hosted by Jim Hopkins, the debate would last about two hours including opening and closing addresses, a selection of questions submitted prior to the debate, and questions from the floor, Ms Lockhart said.
Tickets to the event at the Millennium Hotel in Queenstown are $30, available from local pharmacies or through the chamber.
Questions for the politicians can be submitted beforehand to odt.editorial@odt.co.nz or from the floor on the night.
A selection of those questions will be presented to politicians on the night in addition to those taken from the floor.
