Richard Foley claims he is being “muzzled, like in a third world dictatorship” after the chamber board refused his request to partake in a debate alongside the Nationals’ Michael McCormack, Labor’s Tim Kurylowicz and the Greens’ Kevin Poynter. 

The chamber’s invitation to members said the event will be “a great opportunity to find out the intended policies relating to business in the lead up to the federal election”, but the board decided to omit Mr Foley in the interests of time and political balance.

Mr Foley wanted a platform to spruik his radical tax policy to scrap 125 federal and state taxes to local businesses, claiming it would “totally revolutionise business in this country”.

“All this exemplifies is the failed two-party system, which is very frightened of ordinary people in the halls of parliament,” Mr Foley said.

“It’s the democratic right of the public to be fully informed, so they know what their choices are come election day.

“Let them have their debate and we'll allow the electorate to make its mind up.”

Business chamber president Tim Rose dismissed Mr Foley’s objection, asserting the interest group's right to make judgment calls about private members-only events.

“We want to have balance and given we already have twice as many speakers from the left (Labor and the Greens), we didn’t want another candidate form the left,” Mr Rose said.

“It only goes for an hour and we want questions from the floor to dominate, but half an hour is already allocated to candidate’s speeches.

“I’m all for democracy and if the independents want to speak to us seperately, we're happy to facilitate that.”

Mr Rose quashed suggestions Nationals senate candidate and chamber board member Wes Fang was behind the decision.

Chamber board member Jack Egan publicly denounced his colleagues’ decision, urging them to reconsider.

“If he's standing for the election he should be given an opportunity to have a say and ask a few questions,” Mr Egan said.

“He might have a few funny ideas but I haven't met a politician yet who hasn't got a few funny ideas.

“This is a very safe Nationals seat, which is unhealthy.”