Next week on voters are being offered the chance to watch and ask questions of Australia’s leaders during a Facebook debate.
During a press conference in Picton, in Sydney's south west, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said he had agreed to take part in the Facebook-hosted event, perhaps as early as next week.
He said an online event would give the debate greater reach.
“These are the platforms most Australians see most of their media on,” Mr Turnbull said, after reaching an agreement with both Facebook and news.com.au to host the event.
“I think it is important we have an innovative election. That we use the platform Australians use.
“This debate will enable millions of Australians to participate. It will engage a vastly wider audience than formats that we have used before.”
Mr Turnbull said the aim was to have a debate that could be streamed across any platform.
But a Labor spokesperson says the party did not know about the planned debate.
“This is the first time we have heard of this debate proposal,“ the spokesperson said.
“We're happy to agree to this debate, as well as the one in Brisbane on Wednesday night. Mr Turnbull should do the same.”
Labor had agreed to a debate hosted by Sky TV in Brisbane on Wednesday.
In a statement Mr Shorten said Mr Turnbull should take part in the planned TV debate on Wednesday.
“If he doesn't front up at the People's Forum tomorrow, he is turning his back on Queenslanders - plain and simple,” he said.
