The renowned corruption buster has also called on the Liberal leader to use the event to explain the Coalition's policies on mining and privatisation "face-to-face" in an open forum.

In an email to Liberal Party state campaign director Mark Neeham last Wednesday, Mr Hatton's campaign researcher, Deb Richards, extended the invitation.

In a formal letter posted this week, Mr Hatton challenged Mr O'Farrell to a debate in early to mid-March alongside Liberal Member for Goulburn Pru Goward and Mr Hatton's endorsed Independent candidate, Rob Parker.

The Coalition announced its mining policy on Wednesday, which proposes tougher restrictions on miners.

But Mr Hatton said he'd like to debate the detail.

"There have been meetings of hundreds of people on two occasions in the Southern Highlands and Pru Goward has not been able to answer any of those questions or give any solid assurances because, at the time, she said the party policy had not been determined," Mr Hatton said.

"If she cannot answer for the party, the party leader must come to the Southern Highlands and answer for the party ? that's the bottom line."

Mr Hatton said it was about time the privatisation debate extended to regional Australia.

"Privatisation affects all communities; so far the concentration of privatisation has been in the city areas," he said.

"I think he (Barry O'Farrell) ought to state his position to regional Australia on privatisation.

"The Southern Highlands is a good place for this debate because it's not only privatisation of electricity that's worrying me, its privatisation of corrective services, for example, and with a maximum security jail at Goulburn obviously that has vital importance.

"Also, there has been some discussion as to whether country water and sewerage services, where they are controlled by councils, will eventually be controlled by Sydney Water ? now is that a first step towards corporatisation and then privatisation of country water and sewerage services?

"I'd like that answered specifically with a solid rock promise that in fact it is not going to happen."

A spokesman for Mr O'Farrell said they would respond to the challenge only once the formal letter was received.