Doug PollardAn Open Letter to Party Leaders
Dear Ms Gillard, Mr. Abbott,
OK, so you're scared. I understand that. After all, look what happened when they let the LibDems into the debate in the UK. The British people got a government something close to what they actually wanted, rather than what any single party was prepared to give them.
And that's what it's all about, really, isn't it? That's what a democracy is - embracing all points of view and finding room for everyone under the umbrella - not creating a one-party state where only the majority get any say and everyone else is pushed out into the rain.
I would like the Australian Greens leader, Senator Bob Brown to be included in the leader’s debates during this election.
The Australian Greens have some good ideas that you both secretly like but you don't dare say so in public lest you piss off some powerful but utterly unrepresentative sections of your own party. You can free yourselves and the Australian voters from these unrespresentative swill by embracing the concept of sharing the debates, and possibly power, with them.
Let's face it, if either of you gets up this time, it won't be on the basis that the Australian public is madly in love with your flaming locks or your bulging Speedos - they'll be gritting their teeth and voting for the least worst option.
For these reasons it is important for the voters to hear the views and policies of the Australian Greens, alongside the views and policies of Labor and the Coalition in the leader’s debates.
If you are confident in your party’s policies and your ability to debate, you should be willing to include Senator Brown in the debate.
And if you're not willing to do it in the mainstream media, I'd be happy to offer you the opportunity to do it on community radio. Joy 94.9, Australia's gay and lesbian radio station, broadcasts not just to Melbourne but via the web, podcasts, and the Community Radio Network, across Australia.
I host Freshly Doug on the station every Thursday morning from 9-12 and I'd be happy to have the three of you in the studio one morning for an 3-way conversation.
Have a bit of courage for a change, stop just spouting slogans, and let's do it! Give the station a call on 1300 JOY 949 or email freshlydoug@joy.org.au. You know it makes sense.
Doug Pollard
