Why does the debt 'have' to be paid off? The mistake everyone makes is comparing the national economy to that of a household. A household has a limited earnings lifetime, literally, whereas the national economy goes on and on and on. I appreciate that that the deficit is a different matter...
I think we all know why she doesn't participate. Because she doesn't come across well. It's strategy, ie the downside of people questioning why you don't attend is less than the downside of making a complete pigs ear of it. Lynton Crosby has probably had a hand in it.