DURING a live cross to the moon landing on Brisbane radio, just as Neil Armstrong was about to place his (carbon-based) footprint on the moon - "This is one small step for man … and one giant …'' - the feed was interrupted by a nasal Australian twang, "They've jumped at Doomben."

If the moon landing can be interrupted by a horse race, surely one of these "town hall" debates will be interrupted by the triumphal electronic scream of a poker machine jackpot. (Though if you think about the odds, maybe not.)

Another debate, another temple to cheap vice. This time the Broncos Football Club. No disrespect to that proud club, but is the pulse of the poker machine necessary to keep it real as far as public debate goes?

I have a question, which may seem slightly moribund. Why can't "town hall" debates take place at the town hall?