PM dodges debate for Sales showdown

If you're going to be grilled, would you rather a sizzling from 100 undecided voters or a roasting by Leigh Sales?

Malcolm Turnbull is choosing the latter.

The prime minister has declined an invitation to join Labor leader Bill Shorten in a televised people's forum at the Broncos Leagues Club in Brisbane on Wednesday night.

Instead he will face off against Sales on ABC TV.

"Cancel your evening plans and stay in," the 7.30 host tweeted.

The pair are renowned for their sometimes testy, sometimes friendly - bordering on flirtatious - on-air exchanges.

"We shouldn't be using violent metaphors," Mr Turnbull told Sales in March, during a discussion about his predecessor Tony Abbott.

Another time, she reminded Mr Turnbull: "I ask the questions on this program."

And it's her questions - not voters - that he will be facing on Wednesday night.