On Monday night's Q&A;, a debut panellist stole the show - and along the way delivered perhaps the pithiest quote of the year in summing up a variety of issues.
"I want to quote my father, which will absolutely delight him," declared actress and disability activist Kiruna Stamell.
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Actor and dancer Kiruna Stamell explained why the National Disability Insurance Scheme was important on ABC's Q&A; program.
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Q&A;: Disability advocate's NDIS 'crash course'
Actor and dancer Kiruna Stamell explained why the National Disability Insurance Scheme was important on ABC's Q&A; program.
"My dad said, 'You can't take a dump in the living room and not expect it to affect the ambience of the house'."
What was she talking about? Tempting as it is to think she was offering an all-purpose commentary on Donald Trump's presidency, Stamell was actually commenting on just one part of it - global warming, after Trump's withdrawal from the Paris climate accord - but her line did duty as an observation of the times, and it wasn't the only time she stood out.
This was quite an achievement, given she had some tough company. To her left and right - literally and politically - she had the Coalition's Christian Porter, Labor's Anthony Albanese, academic and author Judith Brett and Liberal Democrat senator David Leyonhjelm, the latter providing some competition in the quote-of-the-night stakes.
It was Leyonhjelm who declared Trump was right to pull out of Paris,and who urged Australia to follow suit.
"I would have pulled America out, if I had been Donald Trump, and I think the best thing for Australia is to pull out too. I'm not suggesting we wait - we do it right now."
And it was the libertarian senator from NSW who offered an applause-worthy character reference for terrorists, after pondering the question of online censorship as a deterrent.
"It is nonsense," Leyonhjelm said.
"It is like blaming the telephone for a bunch of bank robbers conspiring to rob a bank. It is ridiculous. I disagree with the suggestion these people are sophisticated. They are not. They are actually dickheads, most of them. They are dangerous dickheads, but let me explain. Most get caught before they do anything damaging. Compare that to drug smugglers who don't get caught."
But it was Stamell who won the night, most potently with her advocacy for the National Disability Insurance Scheme - advocacy based on personal experience. It was perhaps the most effective couple of minutes of campaigning the NDIS has ever received, and is worth repeating in full.
"Quick crash course in disability studies. I identify as a disabled woman. I know some people will go, 'But you have just got dwarfism, you're a bit small, you are not disabled'.
"To that, let me quickly short-cut it: how would I make a cup of tea in your standard kitchen in your house? Obviously I have access needs. The NDIS means I can apply for adaptations to my home so I'm not financially penalised or punished for being disabled. This is a really important thing. It would also mean I could apply for the cost of adaptations to a standard vehicle, because I can't obviously jump behind a wheel and just drive any car.
"So, we live in a world where … there is nothing to meet my need. A kitchen that would meet my needs and my average-height husband's needs, you are looking at at least $30,000 - at least - because you are talking about moving parts. Disabled people tend to earn less, so you can see the disadvantage there.
"That is literally a crash course. People can apply for different needs in order to get out of the house and also … to work and join the workforce. They can apply for the support they need to contribute and participate in society.
"The other thing I want to say is, every dollar that is spent on the NDIS - you ordinary disabled and non-disabled Australians will see come back to your own pocket. Because … it means a disabled person is able to get out of the house, go to the local shopping centre, buy themselves a coffee, because they can finally get out of the house, because they've finally been given a shower and clothing and they're going to spend that money there in the community.
"This isn't money you are giving to disabled people that will go offshore, into a bank account, earning interest somewhere. You are going to see every dollar of the NDIS come back to you because it's going to mean that disabled people are working, paying tax on income, employing carers - carers pay tax on their income. They are going to be out participating in the community, enjoying life and spending money. So, that's the one thing I want you all to hold on to …. it actually makes economic sense to give the disabled community access to these resources."
It was a bravura moment, and it wasn't Stamell's last. When it came to debate over drug testing for welfare recipients, she was ready to put the politicians in their place.
"I have an idea," she advised Christian Porter.
"Why don't all politicians in parliament do a drug test as long as this policy was there in place for welfare users? Why don't you guys lead by example?"
An idea, indeed: politicians leading by example. Don't hold your breath on that - but Kiruna Stamell spent Monday night showing them precisely how it can be done.