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Keating “wouldn’t be caught dead” on Q&A

Former PM Paul Keating slings off at Q & A -but saves the worst for presenter Tony Jones.

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Government and opposition pollies are the staple of ABC1’s Q & A, but former PM Paul Keating doesn’t share their enthusiasm.

“I wouldn’t be caught dead on it,” Keating said while launching a book at Brisbane Powerhouse.

“If I was the prime minister I would not let federal ministers go on that program. You just wash the government through mud every time you turn up.”

But then he positively let rip at presenter, Tony Jones.

“If you go on Tony Jones’s [show] you need a hip flask of mace,” he said.

“Imagine sharing a program with him.”

Yikes.

But Keating, who was always known for his colourful vernacular, can’t be too turned off by the public broadcaster.

He recently made an appearance in their auto series Wide Open Road. No mace required.

Source: Brisbane Times

12 Responses

  1. I’m with the former PM here. I am sick of the constant bias towards the Coalition on Q&A and Tony continually cutting off government MPs when they try to present their side of the story. The show always seems to be staked with Murdoch press hacks as well pushing their anti government agendas. If I wanted to watch agenda driven rubbish like that, I’d tune into the Bolt Report.

  2. I agree with PK completely on this.Q&A is supposed to be an impartial question and answer programme,but ends up being dominated by Liberal party operatives in the audience pretending to be ‘concerned’ citizens.

  4. I think his remarks about Tony Jones was a little tongue-in-cheek. As Bonrad commented, Keating’s always on Lateline with Tony & they mostly seem to have a little laugh towards the end of their interviews.

  5. Pity, I’d love to see Paul Keating on Q & A , he’d be a hoot. I’d also love to see Prue MacSween on their giving everyone a piece of her mind

  6. I’ve seen Paul Keating being interviewed by Tony Jones on Lateline. They seemed pretty good together. Keating looked relaxed and the interviews were pretty interesting. Seems like a slap in the face for Tony – I wonder what’s happened?

  7. I have to agree With Paul. Though for me, the wanabee politicians are the worst. Paul Howes is a classic example of that. I’m not interested in political self interest and would prefer knowledgable people with something to offer other than bashing the oppostion or blowing their own trumpet. There are some interesting topics discussed and we’d be better served to listen to the thoughts of broadminded people and not politicians and the likes of Paul Howes and co.

  10. Not for the first time do i disagree with the bitter former prime minister. I actually enjoy Q @ A and particularely like the way that Tony Jones wont let panel members, either left or right, avoid an answer.

  11. “You just wash the government through mud every time you turn up.”

    On the other hand, it gives pollies a chance to actually explain their positions in more than one-sentence grabs. If they turn up relaxed and with a good sense of humour politicians can do their brand a lot of good on Q&A . Whereas lacking a sense of humour, like, say, Sophie Mirabella, will turn a lot of people off, so I don’t understand why she appears so often. She’s very talented at discrediting the Government, so I suppose that’s why she’s trotted out, but honestly she’s not doing her own side any favours either.

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