A television show is no substitute for the electoral process

Last year the Senate had to make an important decision on media ownership laws.  The Government’s proposal was to allow some consolidation of media ownership in Australia.  As one of the four Independents in the Senate, I insisted that there be an amendment to the law to prevent anyone owning a television station and a newspaper in the same mainland capital city. 

Kerry Stokes’s Seven Network was prominent in lobbying senators.  Seven did not like the Government’s proposal because it thought its position might be undermined by the resulting media mergers.  I made my decision on my assessment of what was best to maintain media diversity in Australia, and in the interests of the Australian people.  The motivations of a Seven Network senator in this situation would be suspect.

But their motive, ultimately, is to please shareholders and to entertain viewers. Parliament has a much higher purpose: to make laws and policies which advance the interests of all Australians.  While it does not always meet that aim, we need to try harder.  What we shouldn’t do is turn the parliamentary process into a circus for cheap entertainment.

Vote for Me would undermine the institution of parliament.  A television show is no substitute for the electoral process. 

Brian Harradine is an independent senator for Tasmania.