I have said for some time that Q&A should be required
viewing for anyone over 15. However, it
seems that the power of the 'lowest common denominator' talk show is starting
to take over from intelligence. Tony, on
Lateline I thought you were a trifle arrogant and self serving but you
positively shined on Q&A. No
joke. As a host and moderator you were
great. But now it seems that your
personal biases and perhaps Q&A's producers are letting the side down.
You have an opportunity to delve into and debate real issues
of national strategic importance yet you succumb to drivel such as the $1k
Prime Minister Abbot repaid.
Unfortunately, it took an international guest to tell you the story was
and is unimportant.
Tony, you and Australia are better than this.
It is up to you to steer the discussion away from minutia
and curb most of your guests predication to talk forever, but in a manner showing
respect and one which befits a moderator in Australia’s most important ‘discussion’
show [as distinct from talk].
Tony, please remove your personal labour predilection and indeed
the labour parties mandate to focus on simple minded issues AND remove both
parties desire to air 5 second cheap shots.
Last Monday you were rude to MP Hunt accusing him of ‘political diatribe’
yet when Ms Ellis and Ms Benjamin rattled on about very little and without
focusing on the point you said nothing.
Why? It also was indeed obvious
that Mr Sheridan had lost it with both you and Ms Ellis because she was
virtually out of control and you did nothing.
His was the voice of reason where, as moderator, you should have stopped
Ms Ellis.
Indeed, Mr Shorten was also the voice of reason a couple of
weeks ago. He had to put you in your
place when you tried to involve his mother in law. I have a lot of respect for Mr Shorten and
his ability to focus on important issues without distraction on minutia.
Mr Jones I am a liberal voter who worries about Prime
Minister Abbot as our representative on the world stage but as a country we
must support both him to move into his ‘statesman’ role and his /our government
to succeed. It IS NOT your role to
either try to create news or to give voice to stupidity or to create sedition
through unrest and biased coverage.
It IS your role to bring Q&A back to THE pre-eminent ‘discussion’
show focusing on matters of national importance rather than ‘talk show’
minutia. Sure, address the current issues but leave the
unimportant to commercial channels.
You decide the questions which will be asked and answered -
so please let’s raise the bar.
Good discussions,
Jon Langevad.
