Palmer loses it at journalist after address… Is this what is wrong with politics?

Yesterday, Clive Palmer was being interviewed at the National Press Club after giving an address and he absolutely lost it at a journalist – he insulted him personally, he insulted his career, he insulted the publication he works for and he looked nothing short of rude… Watch the video below to see for yourself.

The thing is that in doing this, Palmer showed us all just what is wrong with politicians these days. Their lack of etiquette, their lack of compassion and their lack of basic manners. Why do we as a country vote these people in when they are so far removed the societal role models their role typically stipulates they be?

Steven Scott was quite brutally attacked last night – before even having the chance to finish his question. He fired off rude remarks like, “Have some guts to [stand up to] Rupert [Murdoch], don’t do what he tells you from New York.”

“Stand up and be a journalist. Don’t read off that, think of your own brain and think of a question”.

“You want a promotion from Rupert,” Mr Palmer told Scott. “I’m not going to take rubbish from you, mate”.

“You haven’t got the guts to ask a question on the topic, because it’s beyond your intellectual capacity. Why don’t you admit it?” Mr Palmer retorted.

Scott appeared to be not asking anything directly about Palmer’s current court case and instead was just asking about the use of the money should he be be found not guilty of his Chinese business partners’ accusations.

It toes the line, but at the end of the day, I’m disappointed in Australia, that we let people like this rule our politics. We are (myself included) self serving when we make our election choices rather than looking to real people with real integrity, real skills and real honesty… I think when it comes to vote next time, instead of asking, “what will that party do for me?” I will ask, “who is the person and party I trust most with Australia” so we can avoid having people displaying this kind of behaviour and getting anywhere.

Tell us today, do you think Palmer’s reaction was inappropriate? Do you think we need to reconsider the values of ourselves as a nation and start reflecting those in our political decisions more often? Share your thoughts in the comments below…