How strange that politicians - and even ex-Politicians - claim the right to hog the headlines with their opinions on any subject that happens to attract their attention. Former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett is complaining that some survivors of the Lindt Cafe siege in Sydney have sold their story's to the media for big sums of money. It is rumoured that Sixty Minutes paid $ 300,000 for one survivors account of events during this drama - and Kennet branded this " just plain grubby "!
Sometimes "luck "reaches out and taps someone on the shoulder. All those that survived that cafe siege were "lucky " and the ones with the ability to describe the events in an entertaining manner deserve a reward if the television news people are prepared to pay. Not all the survivors got such an offer. Appearance - voice quality - believability - all played a part in the selection.
Fame - is fleeting. Sometimes it is a matter of being in the right place at the right time - to witness an event that is "newsworthy ". A truck driver toying with his new video camera managed a shot of Concorde taking off with flames pouring out of the aircraft - and that earned him a lot of money. That is the reason that the paparazzi hound celebrities. They seek that "special " shot that they can trade for pots of money - and the more embarrassing for the subject, the greater the reward that they will earn.
The news media is in the business of satisfying public "curiosity "! Vast numbers of people want to know what it was like being held captive by a fanatic with a gun, and the best people to satisfy that curiosity - is one who survived the ordeal. It all comes down to - supply and demand. Just a limited number of people have the ability to satisfy that curiosity - so they have something to trade in exchange for money that will vastly change their lifestyle.
It's a bit like winning Lotto. Most of us buy a ticket on a regular basis, but few really expect a big win, but when luck taps us on the shoulder - our moment has arrived !
Another politician delivering a comment that will upset some people is the Reverend Fred Nile, a New South Wales upper house MP. He has chosen to describe day care respite for working mothers as "Day Orphanages "!
There seems to be an insinuation that mothers that work are dodging their responsibilities of child raring and being selfish. This completely disregards the fact that the Australian economy has evolved to the mode of both parents working to provide the basics of life. It is a simple fact of life for those earning the average wage that a single income will not service the needs of providing a home and a standard of living that we consider to be basic. In many cases, underemployment and low wages leave families where both parents work barely making ends meet. Women joining the workforce is not a matter of choice.
Nile's comment is an insult to both working women and the vast array of professionals who care and educate children entrusted to their supervision. Many people believe that care facilities play a big part in advancing the social mobility of children. A child at home in the care of it's mother lacks the integration with others that develops the social skills that are so important in a harmonious lifestyle.
Perhaps this penchant to comment that seems to be a part of being a politician is woven into the fabric of public life. If the media is having a slow day, shoving a microphone in the face of a politician is usually a way of gaining some sort of a story - and with a bit of luck it may be controversial and take on a life of it's own.
No doubt Fred Nile will take flak for his " orphanage " tirade and Jeff Kennett's comment will probably get a mixed reception. The one thing certain about politicians is that they live or die by the media coverage they command. Thats why we rarely have a "No Comment " reply to any subject offered to a politician !
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