Q and A tonight in Oz. What a nonsense

Mark Arbib is no longer available to attend Q&A tonight. 

Comment from the Prime Minister 

I have made it clear that this is not a time for campaign analysis. The focus of Labor’s ministerial team must be on providing stable and effective government and discussing Labor’s positive plan for the nation’s future. 

Consequently I have requested and Senator Arbib has agreed to not appear on Q & A tonight which is focussed solely on campaign analysis. I have requested Labor Backbencher David Bradbury to represent the Labor team on the panel. 


In response, Q&A Executive Producer, Peter McEvoy wrote the following email to Russell Mahoney (PM’s Press Secretary) : 

Dear Russell, 

Mark Arbib agreed to be part of the Q&A panel over a week ago. We are now told he has been directed by the Prime Minister that he cannot join tonight’s discussion. 

Q&A provides an opportunity for Australian citizens to question their political leaders and has become a model for broader democratic participation in this election. We’re dismayed that Mr Arbib will be prevented from answering the questions of the Q&A audience on the significant issues raised by Saturday’s election. 

Contrary to the comment you released, tonight’s Q&A will not focus “solely on campaign analysis”. We expect a significant part of the discussion will be on the nation’s future and the importance of stable and effective government – the very issues Ms Gillard identifies as the focus of her team. 

We cannot accept your request that you choose a substitute panel member for tonight’s Q&A since this would be a clear breach of the ABC’s editorial independence. Mr Arbib will be represented by an empty chair at the Q&A desk. 

I hope that the Prime Minister and Mr Arbib might still be responsive to the obligations that all Australian politicians have to face Australian citizens and the media on matters of national significance such as the future government of Australia. 

Yours sincerely, 

Peter McEvoy Executive Producer Q&A

Who is filling in?

Not sure it's a big loss anyway

Oh, haven't read about the "empty chair". It seems that McEvoy is pretty pissed off!

Think it is a loss because the man is such a 'great power behind the thrown' of Gillard and could speak for Labor. No one filling in. Yes an empty chair!

Do you think it will be a bad point for the negotiations with the independents?

No

MichaelByrnes 

What? And everyone is surprised?...you are talking about a team that seems to think its ok to have thrid parties represent them at security council meetings. This mob is a bloody joke and coulddn't run a piss-up in a brewery...god help us.

On another subject, I do love hopw everyone is now questionning the Australian voting system, now that they have almost voted in a government based on green preference votes. A party whose policies have had no scrutiny whatsoever and whose votes I would guess are in the main, votes made in objection to the lack of satisfaction with both of the two major parties...too late she cried