Ruth Richardson says she is still willing to debate Finance Minister Nicola Willis "so long as it is a substantive discussion". Photo: RNZ/Reece Baker/Supplied
The Taxpayers Union (TPU) chair Ruth Richardson is still willing to debate Finance Minister Nicola Willis, and is suggesting Cameron Bagrie as a moderator.
Willis this week challenged her 1990s predecessor to a debate "anytime, anywhere" after the TPU launched a campaign criticising the coalition's fiscal management.
But the pair could not agree on a venue.
Richardson demanded agreement to have the showdown on NewstalkZB next Thursday - giving a deadline to respond - but Willis refused to have other media outlets excluded.
In a statement on Friday afternoon, the TPU said Willis had "reneged" on her challenge, but Richardson was willing to still have the debate "so long as it is a substantive discussion, rather than performative theatre".
Richardson suggested a roundtable discussion on Thursday morning "in a studio in Wellington, moderated by an appropriate economically knowledgeable journalist or commentator".
"To reflect the tone and substance of the discussion we nominate Cameron Bagrie as host - ANZ's former chief economist and former adviser to the National Party on matters of public finance - as neutral, but expert, moderator."
Richardson said the discussion would be live-streamed with a clean broadcast feed made available to all media.
Labour has criticised the debate as a "sideshow" and a distraction, while the Public Service Association union called it a "stunt" they said aimed to make Willis appear more moderate.
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