Christian Democratic party candidate Julie Collins said she was told she could attend tonight's televised debate, set to be hosted by Sky presenter Paul Murray from Tamworth, but only as an audience member.

The pay TV broadcaster had just four microphones available for candidates, she was told. She said a producer told her the range of debate was captured by the candidates that were invited.

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"I've been told there are not enough microphones, that there is only room for four," she said.

"Seriously, why can they not find another microphone?

"I don't see why you can't put one microphone between two candidates - at Inverell we all had to get up and walk to the single microphone."

Sky News confirmed today that five candidates would be speaking at the "live pub test" debate: Nationals incumbent Barnaby Joyce, Labor candidate Yvonne Langenberg, Green Tony Lonergan, independent candidate Adam Blakester and Cindy Anne Duncan for the United Australia Party, which is led by Clive Palmer.

The candidates are speaking at another debate earlier this evening in Murrurundi and have been offered transport by bus. The Sky News debate is set to be televised from 9pm.

Three candidates have been left out of the televised debate, independents Natasha Ledger and Rob Taber as well as Ms Collins.

Ms Ledger didn't even know about the debate before being contacted for comment by The Armidale Express.

"I'm actually becoming accustomed to it," she said.

"They know what I'm capable of doing and they know what I've done in the community.

"They understand that once people meet me they like me."

She said the decision to leave out candidates limits the range of debate.

"It doesn't allow the community to be able to make a just judgement."

Labor candidate Yvonne Langenberg said it was a decision for Sky News and she wouldn't be boycotting the event in protest.

"This is not like an open forum as such. ABC radio might ring me up and I'm not going to say no you need to talk to all the candidates.

"I suppose that news outlets can determine who they have on their show.

"I've got a message to get across and I'm going to take every opportunity to get it across."

Ms Collins, a Christian Democrat, is running to represent what she says are concerns about a lack of local specialist healthcare.

She also wants to push for a royal commission into the Australian family law system. She said a number of candidates were unaware that people even wanted one, and accused Sky of trying to shut down debate over the issue, and others.

"In this election one of my great concerns is freedom of speech, and freedom of the press, particularly in relation to our social justice systems.

"I am not sure why Sky News appear to be excluding four of the candidates, when the role of the press in our nation with regard to politics has been to increase transparency," she said.

"In all seriousness I'm concerned about freedom of speech being removed in this country. For the press to tell that even though I'm running I don't want to hear your viewpoint, I'm deeply concerned.

"I'm deeply concerned that the public won't be able to hear all of the candidates.

"Is Paul Murray even aware of what is happening? A man of his reputation would surely not be involved in this."

In a statement, a Sky News spokesperson said they had contacted all candidates within the electorate in order to check for availability.

"On this occasion, we had more candidates hoping to be involved than our broadcast format can accommodate," the spokesperson said.