As long-standing readers of this blog (if indeed, any such beast exists) will know, I'm a strong supporter of The Greens as an alternative political force in this country. They consistently set the agenda in sensible environmental policies, but when they stray into areas where they lack expertise, the results can be embarrassing to watch.
Case in point, this press release from Senator Scott Ludlam (AG-WA):
Greens expose Play School alcohol and pokies link
Greens Senator for WA Scott Ludlam is demanding to know why the ABC is holding Play School concerts in clubs with alcohol and poker machines.
Senator Ludlam quizzed the ABC’s Managing Director Mark Scott about an advertisement for an ABC concert at a registered club in NSW, in Senate Estimates earlier this week.
“I was dismayed to learn that the ABC is forging this association between Play School, alcohol consumption and pokie machines,” Senator Scott Ludlam, who is also the Greens’ Communications Spokesperson, said.
“The idea that the Play School brand should be used as a drawcard to bring kids into licensed gambling premises needs a rethink.
“I’m sure many parents will object to one of Australia’s must loved television institutions being used in this way.
“I have asked the ABC’s Managing Director to provide me with further detail. I intend to pursue the issue further.
“It is clear that the failure of successive governments to adequately resource the ABC has forced the broadcaster to gradually commercialise, but these kinds of arrangements will be sounding alarm bells for ABC viewers,” Senator Ludlam concluded.
(source: Greens MPs website)
One wonders whether Senator Ludlam has ever been to a show at a club, or whether he has even been inside one. While the use of gambling and alcohol as an income stream is a cause of concern, there can be no doubting the benefits of community social clubs, RSL clubs and the like. In many localities, there would be no decent venue for events such as a Play School concert at affordable prices for families.
Taking the kids to a show at the local Rissole does not equate to taking them into licensed gambling premises - something which, of course, is against the law anyway.
Senator Ludlam is drawing a very long bow here (and I don't mean the cider). The transcript of the Senate Estimates hearing where he makes a fool of himself over Play School can be found here.
Oh, and check out the tour dates and venues for Play School's coming tour. Then try and think of a suitable alternative venue in each location...
Oops, wrong bow
Of course, the cider is Strongbow, not Longbow. D'oh!
Children's show performed in community social club shock horror
I am wishing to respond to Ric the writter of a letter published on your website titled " Children's show performed in community social club shock horror"
I am A political but rather look for the best policy to address an issue. I would just like to say taking kids to pokies venues to see playschool is wrong. Considering these gambling dens contribute significantly to homelessness, foster care, relatationship breakdown, jailings ,suicides and are the main source of problem gambling.
Saying there are no venues to hold plays for kids is a wrong statement also, ever heard of the town halls,senior citizens halls, schools? PS they all have community halls or areas for this kind of thing and it brings the comunity together with out any booze or pokies machines being pushed. The parents know the pokies are next door at the clubs and ps kids are smarter than the adults and they know as well.
Let hem be kids and keep them away from places that cause so much social harm.
regards
Elik
"
I'm sorry Elik, but I can't
I'm sorry Elik, but I can't agree with you here. Do you keep your kids out of newsagents because they sell scratchies? Do you keep them out of Woolies because of the Liquorland next to it? Licensed clubs aren't casinos and beer halls but a much bigger and diverse community enterprise, with the emphasis on community. I'm not a supporter of pokies by any means but I also know that you can take the kids to the auditorium at most large reputable clubs without them coming anywhere near the gambling dens.
I am certainly no advocate for ClubsNSW (and at the present time am not even a member of a licensed club), but I do know that if I was an events manager for Play School or any live kids' show and had the choice between booking a large, modern auditorium at Panthers or an old, dingy town hall I know what choice I would make.
Play School follow up to Senate questions
Senator Ludlam has received a reply to a Question on Notice put to the Government concerning Play School concerts in licenced clubs. The full response can be seen at the (Drupal-powered!) Greens MPs website. In short, 20 out of 22 Play School concerts staged in NSW in 2008 were held in licensed clubs because they were the most suitable venues. No surprises there, and, most tellingly, the following response from Senator Conroy's office:
Methinks Senator Ludlam's exercise in preciousness about Your ABC has gone nowhere.
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