WHILE Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Opposition leader Bill Shorten have gone head to head in the first leaders' federal election debate, a Capalaba businessman has invited Bowman candidates to a local version.
But organiser Damien Buckley says invitations to the event - tipped as a bout at which defending champion Andrew Laming will defend his seat - had been declined or ignored by the ALP.
State Labor MP Don Brown said organisation of a debate by an individual was highly unusual and Mr Buckley's claims of independence were dubious.
Mr Buckley said Mr Laming, the LNP's Mark Robinson, Greens candidate Emerald Moon and the United Australia Party's Shane Clarke would attend, while Pirate Party Senate candidate Brandon Selic was to confirm.
ALP candidate Tom Baster and state Labor MP Kim Richards had declined.
Mr Baster said he was unable to attend for family reasons while Mr Brown said he and Ms Richards would not take part as the election was federal rather than state.
"I believe it is highly unusual for an individual and his business to be conducting a debate for what I believe is to solely to promote his business and therefore to profit from it," Mr Brown said.
"His business has also been a previous client of Andrew Laming and Damien has also stated to me that he is a previous member of the Greens so I find his claims of being unbiased very dubious."
Mr Buckley said defamatory comments Mr Brown had made about him on social media showed his level of desperation.
"If Tom Baster, Don Brown and Kim Richards don't have the guts to front the community in a debate, they should just admit that rather than engage in weak and baseless attempts to smear a local business."
Mr Buckley said he ran a public relations and digital media business and had done graphic design work for Mr Laming - the last time about 2007 - and designed campaign websites for three council candidates including mayor Karen Williams.
He said he had been a Greens member for about a year until 2016.
"None of which is secret nor been denied at any stage, nor relevant," he said. "I am trying to run an unbiased community-led debate.
"My past clients and previous political affiliations are not relevant to this effort as every effort has been made to assure fairness and impartiality."
Mr Brown said Mr Baster had taken part in the debate held by the Redland City Chamber of Commerce - "a non-political organisation that holds a reputable debate each federal election".
"I also note Andrew Laming's failure to attend the debate conducted by the Redland City Bulletin at the last election," Mr Brown said.
Mr Buckley had been unable to obtain contact details for the candidates from Pauline Hanson's One Nation or Fraser Anning's National Conservative Party.
At the time of publication, 53 people had indicated they would attend.
Mr Buckley said federal candidates would give an election pitch, while state MPs could respond to questions on state issues.
The event on Sunday, May 5 at Capalaba Sports Club from 6pm would be online. Entry would be by gold coin, which would go to charity.
The event could include stunts to raise money for charity. "There is a possibility you may get to see a beer scull headstand."
