Politics is not a gameshow

pamela says:

01:02pm | 02/09/09

The Americanisation of politics has begun…........

JB says:

01:11pm | 02/09/09

So so true.
It’s very interesting that we expect Julia Gillard to go on a show where she gets to interact with kids, and Anna Bligh to head to the kitchen where she can show what skills her mum taught/didn’t teach her.
Talk about fulfilling and playing up stereotypes!
Perhaps if Albanese contested the coveted mantle of Next Top Model he would both defeat the stereotypes and provide the public with sufficient puke-factor that we finally switch it off and look for something else in our elected leaders!

Kelly says:

01:10pm | 02/09/09

I think a lot more people fall for it than you think. I had a friend comment to me on the weekend that “at least this Government seem more personable than the last. As if you would see Howard on an episode of fifth grader”. She has almost zero interest in politics but from this exposure I am pretty sure I know who she will be voting for.

Mike says:

01:19pm | 02/09/09

Thanks to Kevin Rudd’s turn to MyBook and FaceSpace, Obama’s chat-tv-show and the womens weekly articles about pollies. Politics is now a game of popularities and fake faces. It doesn’t matter what you do and don’t stand for - it’s the all about the friends on your facebook account, the lame humor you bellow out and the amount of phallus sucking you do.

Pete says:

01:26pm | 02/09/09

I don’t see the issue, it makes sense that politicians use multiple media outlets and make themselves known to all demographics.  After all it is not only the Q & A viewers that are worthy enough to vote.  Personally I would rather politicians stick to news & current affairs media but hey its a growing trend and sometimes (if not cringe worthy) refreshing to see another side of our leaders.

susan says:

01:40pm | 02/09/09

At least the Gillard appearance would’ve required about 2 hours of her time, total. It didn’t exactly interfere with her ability to do the job, and given she looks after the Education portfolio perhaps Fifth Grader has some semblance of association with her role?

While Bligh is taking leave so someone else will be in charge, if she’s successful on the show she could be away for a couple of days a week for several weeks. It doesn’t really provide a lot of continuity in Government, and could be confusing if her and her Deputy’s views differ on a matter.

Leah says:

01:41pm | 02/09/09

Speaking of Julia Gillard on Fifth Grader, did anyone else think it was shameful that the Deputy Prime Minister didn’t know what the state flag of Tasmania looked like?

John Foster says:

01:49pm | 02/09/09

Look I don’t want to be “that guy”, but how is this any different than Albo writing a piece about the Rabbitos on this very site this very day?

Simon A says:

01:55pm | 02/09/09

I think Rudd going on Rove really set the benchmark locally. That was it. Game over. 10mins of quality airtime to shill, and not one difficult policy question, yet he still came out of it looking a tad bit homophobic…

Here’s the kicker, however: Reagan, Arnie, hell, even McKew, show that it has been going the other way for a long time and can get you really far.

Mondo Rock says:

02:10pm | 02/09/09

But how likeable Julia Gillard is on Fifth Grader is frankly irrelevant to her role as our Deputy Prime Minister.

Actually Leo - what you meant to write is that it’s irrelevant to you.  For a great many Australians a politician’s personality is of enormous relevance to their role - particularly where that role is being our Deputy PM.

So drop the pompous nonsense - you don’t get to dictate to the rest of Australia what they should or shouldn’t base their democratic vote on.  If voters respond to politicians appearing on TV then that’s their business. 

Being lectured about why they’re wrong to do so by political insiders is a total waste of everyone’s time.

Margaret Gray says:

02:11pm | 02/09/09

“...its a growing trend and sometimes (if not cringe worthy) refreshing to see another side of our leaders…”

Do I care that Marius Kloppers likes to fabricate toy Afrikaans soldiers out of lead and paint them?

No. That’s not the job his stakeholders employ him to do.

Anna Bligh’s ‘job’ is to run (LOL) the state of Queensland.

It is not to demonstrate her culinary dexterity perfecting an espresso foam of roasted squab with celeriac jus on Celebrity MasterShite.

It’s good to see gullible Generation Text think this blatant spinfest ‘normalises’ attention-whoring pollies like Bligh.

Do your job Anna.  Save your “other side” for the family.

Leo Shanahan says:

02:11pm | 02/09/09

@John Foster and Pete,
Thanks for your comments. I would say the difference between reality tv or a game show and Q&A or The Punch is that they generally express both politicians political and personal philsophy, and therefore gives us a better understanding of whether we see them as the best people to represent us and have a large say over our lives. So even if they’re writing about the Rabbitohs, it’s a piece of writing that gives us an insight into what makes them tick. Further to that both Q&A and The Punch have a forum for debate on what they’ve said. Merely standing next to Rove or going on Masterchef tells people nothing other than “I’m on a popular television show”, and seeks to associate that show or hosts popularity with the politician.

Kath says:

02:20pm | 02/09/09

I think the rot well and truly set in when Jackie Kelly appeared on “Dancing on Ice” for Channel 9; and did herself an injury as well.

I’m glad if they’re raising money for charity, but there are other ways of raising money for charity that don’t include TV ratings.

ANDIKA says:

02:26pm | 02/09/09

Having Anna Bligh on the next season of MasterChef is enough to stop me from watching it.

We see enough of these dropkicks already on TV so why wreck our viewing pleasure by having the likes of Bligh (and any one else) on regular TV shows.

Blight and others already appear in their own reality show – Question time in Parliament House so leave them there please.

Dave says:

02:37pm | 02/09/09

Well clearly the relevant nation / state has no outstanding issues so that these ladies can take time out to be celebrities.  Now if they are behaving as celebrities perhaps we should treat them as such.  They could both use a celebrity makeover and should both be on celebrity what not to wear.  Talk about taking the sisterhood backwards in leaps and bounds.  Next thing you know they’ll be swapping cocktail tips with CELEBRITY “cougar” Charmyne Palavi.

AFR says:

02:44pm | 02/09/09

Appaearing on a cooking show cost the last Thai PM his job.

AJ says:

02:45pm | 02/09/09

Welcome to the wonder of compulsory voting.  Whilst I’m in favour of compulsory voting, it ensures that people who otherwise don’t have any interest in politics have to vote, and they are more likely to vote on the basis of personality/popular media exposure.

That said, I am entirely in agreement with Mondo Rock, people have the inalienable right in a democracy to vote for whomever they choose on whatever basis they feel like.  Whilst I’m sure it would be nice for some to only have political hacks vote, that, more than anything else, would lead to the Americanisation of politics.

pc says:

02:55pm | 02/09/09

If Julia Gillard was really insecure about her intellect or position she wouldnt go on whatever mindless show it was. The fact the Bligh and Gillard are invited on these shows,and brave enough to appear on them is because people like them. That is the reality Leo. You wrote a very long article, the subtext of which was very short, that youre a very serious person who doesnt like politicians doing their jobs. If you were interested in doing your job you would discuss the reality - to which you dont ever refer - that recent growth figures mean australia joins China, Japan, France, South Korea, experieng second quarter growth. Australia didnt sink into recession because of the stimulus and no politics isnt a gameshow - it affects real people and they decide who governs them. And they have decided on both Anna and Julia. Get over it.

Pete says:

03:11pm | 02/09/09

@ Leo Shanahan
I do generally agree that there are (at least to me) preffered mediums.  I don’t see any benefit to Masterchef but good luck to her.  I do however think discussion based programming is not let down so much by the Politician involved but the lack of interview technique by the particular host/s.  At the end of the day it is each to their own and way to acure votes.  Because lets face it on election day there will be many votes for the simple reason “oh i’ve heard of him/her so they must be good”.  This in my opinion reflects everything wrong with compulsory voting.

Kris says:

03:23pm | 02/09/09

John Howard commented once that he felt it was his responsibility as a politician and even more so as Prime Minister to appear only on serious programs, radio or television. He felt that it was incumbent on him to canvass matters of substance, as distinct from our current Prime Minister who for example chose to appear on Rove and say that he’d turn gay for his wife (I still don’t understand that by the way).

I like the idea that our elected members are people as well as politicians and it is good to see them showing a more human side. It trivialises the seriousness of their job however when they appear on shows like the ones mentioned in the article. There are plenty of other celebrities who can fill those roles.

I don’t think the only voters who are worthy are drawn from the Q&A audience, but voters should make their decisions based on matters of substance, not because the candidate was able to prepare a delightful three course meal on a reality TV show.

DG says:

03:35pm | 02/09/09

With compulsory voting pollies need to appeal to all levels of voters, for some that will require intelligent policies and establishing the social reform that individuals may desire, for others it will be a hand shake at the local train station in the week before the election or appearing on some TV program that appeals to the masses (having said that, when Turnbull appears on neighbours I’m giving up on the whole political process and moving to a tropical Island ).

I do think it is interesting that we now think that it has gone too far - Sunrise were running their “Big Guns of Politics” Segment with Rudd and Hockey for quite some time (until they actually became big guns of politics).

The way to win votes is to have a public personality - this is why NSW doesn’t have an “Alternative” Government - there aren’t enough Opposition members that have public profiles, let alone any actual policies.

Nathan says:

03:39pm | 02/09/09

Any chances we could see Joe ‘Shrek’ Hockey enter an Australian version of Dance Your Ass Off?

Jenny says:

03:40pm | 02/09/09

Wall to wall Labor, wall to wall fun and games and as a country we will pay the price for electing these clowns.

pc says:

03:51pm | 02/09/09

Hey Pete, Why dont you rightards just come out and say it. Youre smart so people who dont agree with you shouldnt get to vote. You talk around the actual point you want to make until you say “At the end of the day it is each to their own and way to acure votes.  Because lets face it on election day there will be many votes for the simple reason “oh i’ve heard of him/her so they must be good”.  This in my opinion reflects everything wrong with compulsory voting.” No one votes because so and so or the bloke in the pub told them they were good. You just want to talk down to people who dont agree and justify the libs losing elections by saying ‘oh well its the voters fault.’ Really constructive stuff, guys, you could get a gig.

TigerTim says:

04:24pm | 02/09/09

I agree Leo.
I say bring back Wipeout Australia and get the entire NSW Government to compete.
Victorian Minister Tim Holding has shown he is tough enough to compete in Survivor
After her $200 taxi fare Kate Ellis should brush up on what is considered a reasonable price for a product or service on The Price is Right
John Della Bosca in his own version of Temptation
Surely there is a show out there for every one of our pollies!

Pete says:

04:32pm | 02/09/09

pc??
There is no talking around a point, nor am I belittling anyone.  I believe everyone should have the right to vote, everyone should want to vote and every vote is equal.  Compulsory voting though does have its flaws being that there are people who believe voting is more a chore than a right and so they vote as such.  Mainstream media will likely give politicians greater access to that particular voter than outlets that require a greater interest in politics. 
I am also not a Lib.

Debbie says:

04:46pm | 02/09/09

A sad day for Australia - I refuse to watch any of these shows with politicians in them.  Labor are all about the populist vote.  It’s all spin spin spin.

Margaret Gray says:

04:50pm | 02/09/09

“...No one votes because so and so or the bloke in the pub told them they were good…”

Really.

So there’s no evidence of intergenerational voting preferences along family political lines?

No evidence of entire families following the same sporting team?

No evidence whatsoever of men driving only Ford’s “coz me Dad and ‘is Dad did before him”?

In one fell swoop you’ve managed to make redundant the entire marketing and advertising professions.

Way to go.

Next you’ll be telling us there’s no such thing as peer group pressure.

Dan says:

04:53pm | 02/09/09

After looking at Anna Bligh’s Twitter page, I feel like I’m living in a state of stupidity… Has politics really come to this??  Twitter… amongst the I.T. community anyway is seen as an idiot world and a major embaressment to where I.T. is really headed… and to see our Premier ask “so what recipes should I cook on masterchef” proves this point very much.

The idea of masterchef, is to use your own recipes… So unfortuneately it has shown us that Anna Bligh can’t really think past a kitchen let alone think for herself…

Maybe if she tweeted something like “So what would you Queenslanders like to see next?” would be way more valid because then the community could give Anna Bligh ideas where we’d like to see this state going.

As for Julia Gillard… Is she smarter than a 5th grader?  This too is embaressing and I’m sure Rove gave her the answers before the show started because hell… It’d be embaressing if she failed it and had to say “I am not smarter than a 5th grader… back to my Deputy PM desk I go.”...

This country is really starting to embaress itself and the more I look at these latest actions and the use of twitter.. I can’t really see much hope for it at all.

I am a labour supporter through thick and thin… but by golly… I really hope the next labour party gets it act together.

pc says:

04:56pm | 02/09/09

So Pete, your point, is in fact, that the mainstream media manipulates people and sites like the punch dont? “Compulsory voting though does have its flaws being that there are people who believe voting is more a chore than a right and so they vote as such.  Mainstream media will likely give politicians greater access to that particular voter than outlets that require a greater interest in politics. ” People voted the last government out because they noticed that someone they knew had suffered under workchoices. That was the reality the OZ did its best to ignore, or rather hide. Just because you have a greater interest in politics doesnt mean you know what politics are best for people.

Bruce says:

05:02pm | 02/09/09

I do not care about politicians appearing on “game shows”. However, it should be understood why politicians do it. It more about the profile they wish to project to the public. They do it for a real political reason, Peter Costello, Kevin Rudd, Joe Hockey to mention a few have also tried this one the public. The first question we should ask ourselves is “Why are they doing this” and its usually NOT for a fun thing to do. Its more about phsycholgy of politics. We can be quickly tricked into thinking things like, “Ah, aint they wonderfull, they are just like us”. or he/she seems like a good person, or “gee, I trust him/her”  PUKE !! They are politicians first and only first.

Jonangel says:

05:13pm | 02/09/09

Leo,
You are wrong politics is a “game show”, it has been for some years and
it’s getting worse. I don’t believe we are still a democracy in the true sense of the word. We don’t choose our leaders, we just pick out of what the parties
offer us. People vote just to avoid the chance of a fine.
Also tell me the difference in the major parties, if there is any.

Brad Coward says:

05:16pm | 02/09/09

Who’d be Penny Wong’s partner on DANCING WITH THE STARS….Luda Kroiter ?

NNick says:

07:30pm | 02/09/09

@Mike “Politics is now a game of popularities”

What do you mean NOW?

Julie Coker-Godson says:

07:30pm | 02/09/09

I don’t see any problems with pollies having a guest spot for charity on these shows.  I remember watching all the Sunrise weekly (Fridays) political spot segment with Joe Hockey and Kevin Rudd.  By the time Kevin became Leader of the Opposition, I felt that I’de got to know both men quite well.  In fact I told a friend of mine who watches politics very closely that I felt Kevin may well become PM and, sure enough, he did.  I should have had a bet!  That said, the show became a very good vehicle for both men to “show their wares” so to speak and I was sorry it had to end.  They should set up another two pollies from either side, perhaps from NSW State pollies - that way we poor unfortunate souls may just get some idea of who to vote for in 18 months time!

Axl says:

10:09pm | 02/09/09

Here is a simple concept: do a good job running the country /state and leave the entertainment to someone else.

waz says:

11:11pm | 02/09/09

shouldn’t it be “Are You Smarter Than A Year Five”?

Nathan H says:

07:18am | 03/09/09

Go to video ezy and hire out “idiocracy”. It foretells our future… and present. Mike judge wanted a cinema release but the test audiences “didn’t get it”. It’s scary stuff for a comedy.

Jolanda Challita says:

07:45am | 03/09/09

My children asked me whether I thought it was appopriate for Policiants to go on TV and on game shows etc because they thought it was totally inappropriate and wrong.  I tended to agree with them.  These Politicians ust want to be popular and instead of becoming popular by properly doing their job and what is right for the people, they do stupid things.  Then we wonder why many of our young people are doing stupid things? They learn by example.

Pete says:

09:38am | 03/09/09

pc you’re reading what you want to, which is a shame because I do agree with you. Every form of media has some degree of influence hence politians use many forms of media to broaden their appeal to every type of voter. 
“Just because you have a greater interest in politics doesnt mean you know what politics are best for people.” This has never been implied and ask 5 people what politics are best for the people, you will get 5 different answers.  Hence we are able to use forums like these.
On another note Bob Brown was on Good News Week earlier in the year (I hope I’m recalling this correctly), of which I was pretty excited unfortunately the panel never really engaged him and for obvious reasons he was likely a little hesitant to speak up.

dave wood says:

12:15pm | 09/09/09

yeah right…just look at the antics of rudd and gillard lately!  but neither of these morons have the time to answer my legitimate question about social inclusion…bit hard to swallow when gillard is supposed to hold that port folio!

Michael says:

04:04pm | 15/10/09

Margaret Gray says that Anna should be doing her job instead of appearing on game shows. If Margaret ever worked part-time permanent or full-time, she would be aware that such an employment status entitles people to paid annual leave. Anna is quite entitled to annual leave like everyone else whether she is an employee to the public or not. Furthermore, she is entitled to do as she pleases on such leave…she just happens to choose promoting the state on a game show.

So margaret, don’t go telling Anna to do her job - when she’s on leave she has to do nothing opf the sort. If she wanted to she could be lying on her back at some beach somewhere with her family, indulging her other side.