The Punch has always been impressed by Bronwyn Bishop’s deep knowledge of the standing orders of the House of Representatives, and sympathises with her point of view. But no one should have to endure another Question Time like yesterday’s.
After last week’s fantastic debate about the role of sticky tape and whether it should be allowed as an adhesive in Joe Hockey’s dispatch box props, we had high hopes for some major Kevin Rudd lever-arch file action this week. Even the valiant efforts of Annabel Crabb, however, couldn’t rescue yesterday’s questions from dire tedium.
Wilson Tuckey reckons voters are upset with Rudd’s obsession with laminated photographs of primary school demountables and road works. But it’s sometimes the props that make QT bearable. Remember the cardboard cut-out Kevin Rudd? It was almost better than the real one.
Somehow Anthony Albanese managed to keep a straight face while protesting this “extraordinary breach” of the standing orders.
Props have been exploited in Question Time for years. Paul Keating was a fan - his parliamentary assault on John Hewson’s Fightback was devastating. Here’s a little something he happened upon in his bottom drawer…
Keating didn’t need physical props to make a point though. The examples of his parliamentary evisceration are endless, but this is one of our favourites, and probably taught Peter Costello a thing or two about taking apart the Opposition…
Costello didn’t need physical props either - not when he had Midnight Oil lyrics in his arsenal. Watch this one all the way to the end…
Alexander Downer didn’t even need the Opposition. How was this fantastic own-goal…
But who needs cardboard cut-outs, sharp wit or insults towards one’s wife when you’ve got you’re own weird bodily functions to keep you amused…
The Punch can’t promise you parliamentary fun of this caliber, but from 2pm today we’ll be covering it live on the homepage. Join in and let’s rescue Question Time from Speaker Harry Jenkins’ killjoy grasp.
Facebook Recommendations
Read all about it
Punch live
Up to the minute Twitter chatter
Recent posts
The latest and greatest
The Punch is moving house
Good morning Punchers. After four years of excellent fun and great conversation, this is the final post…
Will Pope Francis have the vision to tackle this?
I have had some close calls, one that involved what looked to me like an AK47 pointed my way, followed…
Advocating risk management is not “victim blaming”
In a world in which there are still people who subscribe to the vile notion that certain victims of sexual…
Nosebleed Section
choice ringside rantings
From: Hasbro, go straight to gaol, do not pass go
Tim says:
They should update other things in the game too. Instead of a get out of jail free card, they should have a Dodgy Lawyer card that not only gets you out of jail straight away but also gives you a fat payout in compensation for daring to arrest you in the first place. Instead of getting a hotel when you… [read more]From: A guide to summer festivals especially if you wouldn’t go
Kel says:
If you want a festival for older people or for families alike, get amongst the respectable punters at Bluesfest. A truly amazing festival experience to be had of ALL AGES. And all the young "festivalgoers" usually write themselves off on the first night, only to never hear from them again the rest of… [read more]Gentle jabs to the ribs
Superman needs saving
Can somebody please save Superman? He seems to be going through a bit of a crisis. Eighteen months ago,… Read more
Most commented