This was published 8 years ago
Q&A recap: Virginia Trioli shines as host as NT detention abuse leaves panel sickened
By Neil McMahon
WHAT difference does a year make? Quite a lot on Q&A.
The last time Gillian Triggs - the President of the Australian Human Rights Commission - was on, 13 months ago, we watched as she effortlessly won a dignity contest against a glowering Bronwyn Bishop - Biggles with a bouffant, busy patrolling the air above Tony Jones in spitfire mode. Who'd have thunk it, that not six weeks later it was another favoured aircraft that brought Bishop down when Tony Abbott - Triggs' chief foe and Bishop's former pet rock turned power patron - waved her in for an early landing.
As the Speaker came a cropper in a chopper, Triggs sailed on serenely. And beamed, and kept beaming as she returned a year later to a panel that contained another reminder of the dramatic events off last winter. It was in this corresponding week in July 2015 that we mischievously suggested in this space that Virginia Trioli should replace Tony Jones as the host of the ABC's Monday night institution.
She didn't. The Q&A Recap proved as good at managing leadership spills as Tony Abbott. Thus chastened, we will not make that same mistake again.
Impressive again ... Virginia Trioli did a fine job as host of Q&A; on a compelling episode.Credit: ABC
We'll make this one instead. We suggest Trioli be given an entirely new show - with Triggs as co-host. Just imagine it - the unravelling would be something to behold, but that's not the only thing in its favour. It would also be crisp and charming and smart. It would most aptly be called A Kick In The Pants. Those on the receiving end would see the error of their ways, and it would rate its pants off - even as it made you pull up your socks, keep your shirt on and take a long, hard look at yourself. If you had a shoe, you would find that it was constantly on the other foot, or you'd be forced to lend it to another man to walk in. Always for a mile. A lesson, you see.
In short, it would be splendid, a national tucking in of the shirt under the no-nonsense guidance of two bold and brassy women with an eye for a sharp line. And while the ABC will not listen to us - again - it can't blame us for daydreaming. Actually, when you see as many women invited on a panel as Q&A had last night - 50/50, if you counted the host, a feminism inferno! - you mostly do think you're daydreaming.
But, no, there they were. As reality bit quite hard last night, and quite early, it was the panel's three women - constitutional reform expert Shireen Morris the charismatic third - who firmly guided us through it.
That it would be a grim night was established early - an hour before Q&A started, with the soul-shaking 4 Corners horror story on child detention in the Northern Territory. You will have seen the pictures by now, and will be wishing you hadn't.
'I actually still feel crook in the guts' ... Liberal MP Craig Laundy was one of the panellists sickened by Four Corners' report on NT child detention abuse.Credit: ABC
The Q&A panel had seem them, too, crowded around a TV backstage.
It had made everyone feel ill, from the questioner -"It makes me feel sick" - to Trioli - "making people sick to their stomach" - to the "absolute horror" felt by Triggs, and the pained testimony of federal Liberal Craig Laundy: "I actually still feel crook in the guts." The panel, the audience and viewers nationwide were with him on that, and with the panel's concurrence that serious action was required.
Resisted pressure to resign: Professor Gillian Triggs, the President of the Australian Human Rights Commission.Credit: ABC
Then, when it was thrown back to the host, it appeared she had momentarily forgotten the house rules: Yes, Virginia, there is a banter clause. It's the convention that the host/moderator does his or her best to traffic only in facts and questions while leaving the argy-bargy to the invited ponderers.
But Trioli had a thought. It was borne in atop a cat, to which she had attached a siren.
Bold and brilliant women ... From left, Shireen Morris, Virginia Trioli and Gillian Triggs shine on Q&A;.Credit: ABC
"I'll bell the cat on something I think needs to be mentioned here this evening as well which is, amongst all the outrage, how does it happen, how does it continue. Australia has become very addicted to a law-and-order philosophy, to a tough-on-crime philosophy, that's what our politicians argue, that's how our politicians believe they'll be re-elected," Trioli said, as the near-in camera angle was replaced by a wide shot that added to the feeling the host was in the middle of a speech. A speech to which Tony Jones would have responded: "I'll take that as a comment. And that. And that."
But Trioli managed a late save, adding a decorative inquiry to her last line: "Is this one of the logical consequences of tough on crime and not letting street kids get away with murder, you end up with this sort of regime in a youth detention centre?"
Let's be clear: I thought it was bloody marvellous, perfectly sensible and well worth saying. I note it merely as evidence that a change of host can change both the dynamic and the rules, just as happened when Trioli hosted last year and she gave a similar nudge to the traditions. It was great, or not, depending on your opinion of the opinion on offer. In this instance, many people likely did.
Overall, the evening was a compelling one as Labor's Ed Husic and Peter Kurti from the Centre for Independent Studies joined in debate covering Islam and ISIS, indigenous recognition in the constitution, and women's rights, vis-a-vis the Liberal Party's ability to lose women MPs like others lose their keys.
It was here that the Trioli/Triggs tag-team really took off as the earnest and decent Craig Laundy went up hill and down dale in search of a good excuse. Trioli fixed him with a look whose matching words were, "Come on…".
Come on, indeed, Minister. Or on second thoughts, don't. Triggs went after him gently, with her palms spread open in front of her as if waiting to catch a falling star in lieu of a decent answer. Laundy tumbled on, then called out to Husic - "Ed, help me"; who says blokes don't share emotional moments at tough times? Sweet.
The word Laundy was looking for was, apparently, "weighting". Which is something - a device, probably - attached to "females" in the Labor Party.
Just as one feared Laundy was going to suggest choosing women candidates via an office sweep, he collided once more with Trioli: "We only ever discuss merit when it comes to women. It's the only time we ever mention merit."
"No, no," said Laundy, showing himself to be a courageous stayer on a wet track.
"Virginia, I'm sorry, I'm obviously not female …" he went on, as producers summoned the veterinary staff and a humane way to end it.
Females around the nation clutched their right flanks and shook with the loud noises they often use to show enjoyment. "Merit!" they managed, through gales of noise.
All watching were pleased to have witnessed the test-run for the new show. Trioli will return with another Kick In The Pants next week. Place your bets.