News24 / Herald Sun People’s Forum: Carroll, Wilson, Sandell and Pickering face voters on 17 November – News24 and the Herald Sun will host a historic four-candidate People’s Forum on Tuesday, 17 November at 7.30pm AEDT. The Victorian leaders of Labor, Liberal, One Nation and the Greens will face off live from Melbourne.
The networks say it will be the only complete leaders’ debate of the Victorian election campaign. It is also timed for the eve of pre-poll, before early voting begins.
The debate comes a few months after the former Sky News Australia changed its name, with TV Central reporting in July that News24 launched across broadcast and digital platforms in Australia.
Who is in the People’s Forum?
Victorian Premier Ben Carroll, Victorian Liberal Party Leader Jess Wilson, Victorian Greens Leader Ellen Sandell and Victorian One Nation Leader Warren Pickering will take part.
They will take live and unscripted questions from 100 undecided voters. According to News24, the event will give Victorian voters the broadest range of political perspectives ahead of the election.
How the debate works
News24’s Chief News Anchor Kieran Gilbert will host the 90-minute forum. Independently selected undecided voters will have the opportunity to put questions directly to the four leaders on their vision for Victoria.
Gilbert said:
Our People’s Forum has become a vital part of the electoral process in Australia. It’s democracy at its best: Victoria’s leaders answering questions directly from undecided voters.
Kieran Gilbert, Chief News Anchor, News24
He added:
Crucially, the forum will be held just before early voting begins, giving voters the opportunity to hear directly from those seeking their support as they make their decision.
Kieran Gilbert, Chief News Anchor, News24
Herald Sun: “among the most vital” elections
Sam Weir, Editor of the Herald Sun, said:
The 2026 election is among the most vital in Victoria’s history. With so much at stake, voters deserve to see all four key leaders put to the test in a live debate.
Sam Weir, Editor, Herald Sun
Weir continued:
The Herald Sun and News24 have already set the agenda during the election campaign and the People’s Forum will be essential viewing if you care deeply about Victoria’s future.
Sam Weir, Editor, Herald Sun
A first for the News24 People’s Forum
News24 Chief Executive Officer Paul Whittaker said:
Since 2010 our debates have been a fixture at every Australian state and federal election, including the last three Victorian Elections.
Paul Whittaker, Chief Executive Officer, News24
However, this will be the first time the format brings four leaders together. Whittaker said:
As the Victorian political landscape shifts and minor parties challenge the traditional two-party race, for the first time our People’s Forum will bring together four political leaders from Labor, Liberal, One Nation and The Greens giving undecided Victorian voters the unique chance to put their questions directly to all the leaders in a live and candid format.
Paul Whittaker, Chief Executive Officer, News24
How to watch the People’s Forum
The News24 / Herald Sun People’s Forum will be broadcast live at 7.30pm AEDT on Tuesday, 17 November on:
- News24 on Foxtel and BINGE
- News24 Regional, the regional free-to-air channel
- News24 Now, the FAST channel
It will also be live streamed at News24.com.au and on the News24 Australia app. In addition, Herald Sun subscribers can stream it at heraldsun.com.au.
Victoria Decides 2026 on election night
Then, on Saturday, 28 November, as Victorians head to the polls, News24 will deliver coverage and analysis of Victoria Decides 2026 with an expert election night panel.
For more TV Central News24 news, head here. To watch live, visit News24.