Politics in Australia has gone down a number of unexpected roads.
PICTURE: Daniel McCullough/Unsplash
The relentless 24-hour media cycle has promoted sensationalism over substance – three-word-slogans over policy, and trolling over discussion.
You hear the politicians trying to deliver their 20 second soundbites during press conferences, such that their speeches become a collection of unrelated, staccato statements.
You witness an hour-long interview about a positive political policy become a news-leading scandal over the throw-away line muttered in the middle of the interview.
If a politician simply mentions something taboo they are hunted down and hounded until they apologise or fall on their sword.
The media lament the lack of leadership and substance in our political arena, but need to consider their own house first.
Thank God for those who go into public life. Thank God for the media. Lets all lift our game.
Paul Clark’s musings can be heard on radio across Australia and at atthetop.org.au.
