Nothing ruins a batch of semi-drunken channel surfing than an encounter with late-night Question Time, right? WRONG! SO WRONG! This is Question Time, man. Democracy in action. The heart of responsible government. Question Time is like recreation for parliamentarians, a chance for them to let their hair down after a hard day's policy making and fling pompous abuse about as if they'd picked up lead roles in the local pantomime. How is that not fun?*
Parliamentary legends are made and broken in Question Time. Keating was reputedly one of the best that has ever strode the dull green-grey carpet of the House of Representatives, famously prickly and a master of the witty retort and the blistering take down. Hawke was shaped in the same mould (the man did hold the world record for fastest yard glass scull, of course he flared up), while Howard and Rudd have overseen a slightly less flamboyant period in the nation's Parliamentary history. Still, you mustn't give up hope. I reckon if Gillard gets in she'd stir some shit up. So fiery. Hot... Anyway, I've compiled here for your perusal a collection of high calibre moments from the last 20 odd years of Australian democracy. Enjoy!
Here's Keating in action, making Costello eat some sweet, sweet fruits of the forest humble pie.
Howard mounting a passionate defence of the decision to invade Iraq. This speech has... not aged well.
Downer admitting he's married to the bearded lady.
Tony Abbott looking like he's just dropped a pill and is discovering for the very first time exactly what his lips feel like.
The infamous footage of Rudd eating his earwax.
Julia Gillard getting sassy with some mouse pads. Ohhhh yeah... So, am I the only one with a semi-erotic crush on Julia Gillard?
And just to finish up, here's a general wash of parliamentary palaver and frou-frou. Contentious!
* I'd just like to point out that I have never in my life actually watched Question Time. This list is purely the product of half an hour's idle YouTube browsing. There is no doubt Question Time does ruin any batch of semi-drunken channel surfing. I mean that shit just goes on.