NOT for the first time, there must be a few questions this morning about the priorities of our federal government.
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Over the past fortnight or so, issues of supposed national importance such as passing the 2015 budget or responding to the threat of ISIS have largely taken a back seat as the government ramps up its assault on the ABC.
Former terror suspect Zaky Mallah’s appearance on Q&A sparked the latest series of attacks on the national broadcaster, with Prime Minister Tony Abbott again asking “whose side are you on”?
ABC boss Mark Scott responded that the ABC was a public broadcaster, not a state broadcaster, but that was not enough for the government, which has now apparently banned its MPs from appearing on Q&A.
And all this at a time when the government continues to push the line that there are more important issues to debate than same-sex marriage.
Really? The government really wants voters to think that it is justified in prioritising an ideological war with the ABC over a social issue that directly impacts on thousands and thousands of its constituents?
Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce unhelpfully muddied the waters on Sunday by saying on another ABC program that Australia could not risk allowing same-sex marriage because it would be badly received in South East Asia, where Australia would be viewed as a “decadent” nation.
He did not elaborate on how he came upon this surprising new approach on an issue that apparently doesn’t warrant the government’s attention at this time, and nor did he get the chance to do so on Q&A last night as his planned appearance on the show had been blocked by the PM.
Of course, the government could end the ongoing debate about same-sex marriage by bringing the issue forward in parliament and allowing MPs a free vote.
That would decide the issue once and for all and give the government more time to concentrate on the issues that really matter - like fighting the ABC.