Voters to quiz Tony Abbott

 Tony Abbott will answer questions from an audience of undecided voters at a forum in Geelong. Picture: Mitch Bear Source: Herald Sun

OPPOSITION leader Tony Abbott will be hit with hard questions on manufacturing and the local economy at the Herald Sun/Sky News People's Forum in Geelong.

Up to 100 undecided voters, chosen by Galaxy Research from the Corangamite electorate, will grill Mr Abbott at next Thursday's gathering.

Geelong is still reeling from job losses at Ford and Alcoa and the looming threat of more redundancies by Shell.

Despite the potentially tough crowd, Mr Abbott said he was eager to engage with the community during the hour-long event.

Watch it live on heraldsun.com.au and Sky News National from 8pm on Thursday, April 18

"I'm keen to listen to your concerns and your hopes for a better future," Mr Abbott said.

"This forum is an opportunity for the people of Corangamite to let me know what's on their mind and for me to talk directly to the community about our plan, our real solutions, to help the people of the Geelong region to get ahead.

"I will take the time to explain how the Coalition's plan will remove cost of living pressures, grow the local economy and boost job security."

Corangamite is the nation's most marginal seat and the meeting could be essential to swaying undecided voters in the area.

Respondents must not be locked in to how they will vote. Some will have a preference for a major party but Galaxy will ensure an equal balance between Labor and Liberal leaning voters.

News Limited Victorian managing director of editorial Peter Blunden said the forum provided an opportunity for the public to have questions answered.

"Not only will some of Geelong's undecided voters get to ask the Liberal leader their burning questions, all Victorians will get the chance to watch the event unfold live," he said.

"Both the Herald Sun and Geelong Advertiser are committed to giving readers the best access to both parties in the lead-up to the September poll."

The one-hour forum will be moderated by Sky News political editor David Speers. 

''The great thing about these forums is their unpredictability. Issues can come up that aren't on the radar and
so we can see a political leader taken out of their comfort zone,'' Speers said.

''It's also much harder for a politician to brush off a question when it's coming from a legitimately concerned voter standing right in front of them.''

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