5 reasons why we desperately need Q&A.

Government Ministers are refusing to go on Q&A, starting what could be the death of a thousand cuts. But this just proves why we need Q&A more than ever.

Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull has knocked back an invitation to appear on tonight’s episode of Q&A. So has Defence Minister Kevin Andrews. Tony Abbott’s parliamentary secretary Alan Tudge was actually scheduled to appear on the panel, but has now changed his mind.

Oh and the executive director of The Menzies Research Centre, Nick Cater, has pulled out too. (They’re a conservative think tank with ties to the Liberal Party, just so you know.)

But they are claiming that there is no conservative boycott. Turnbull has even said so: “This is not a question of a boycott but we are essentially undertaking a fact-finding mission.”

The non-boycott, follows the Coalition Government’s decision to conduct a review into the program after terrorism suspect Zaky Mallah was allowed to ask a question on last week’s episode. The results of review are due from the Communications Department tomorrow.

Tony Abbott, has said ‘heads should roll’ over the Mallah incident, so we can probably look forward to a nice impartial report.

And that, my friends, is why we need Q&A more than ever. But it’s not the only reason, so let’s list them. And let’s just call that number one.

1. It’s more balanced than most media you’ll read.

Q&A has no declared political allegiance and makes a concious effort to balance the views of its panellists each week.

In fact, it often allows voices you may not want to hear into your living room. Like Fred Niles.

#ICantAppearOnQandA because those lefties always try to inflate things into something else. pic.twitter.com/JRK2l5pWCZ

— CanberraMemes (@CanberraMemes) June 29, 2015

2. It’s a public forum for holding politicians to account.

It is the only regular public forum we have for members of the public to actually speak to politicians; to ask them questions and be given answers.

In 2010, former Prime Minister John Howard fronted the panel solo and not only received a questioned from David Hicks (who was actually convicted of supporting a terrorist organisation) pre-recorded in Guantanamo Bay, but also a shoe to the head.

Unlike Tony Abbott (who has long claimed Howard as his ideological parent), Howard showed no contempt for the national broadcaster, rather the opposite, actually.

“Isn’t it a great country that allows this kind of exchange to occur,” he said. “This is not the sort of thing that would occur in other countries and dictatorships.

“Whatever your views about my government’s policies concerning Mr Hicks, it ought to make all of us very proud that we live in a country that allows that sort of exchange.”

The following year Prime Minister Julia Gillard also faced an uncomfortable question. Hers was from Wikileaks founder Julian Assange who was at the time fighting extradition from Sweden — and no one was calling for an inquiry then.

Just last month a student addressed Treasurer Joe Hockey and single-handedly got him to agree to a review of the tax on sanitary items.

3. It’s a platform for discussing important issues.

Q&A often dedicates whole episodes to discussing one important issue. Last Thursday a special episode was given to discuss the marriage-equality debate. Previous episodes have focussed on Indigenous issues, women’s issues and domestic violence (with varying levels of success).

The program doesn’t always generate the broad discussion many of these issues deserve, but it is better than nothing.

4. It’s entertaining.

Remember that time British actress Miriam Margoyles called Tony Abbott a tit?

Miriam has a one word description about our current PM #QandA http://t.co/LFnfHBqfuB — ABC Q&A (@QandA) March 2, 2015

What about the time a bunch of uni students brought in a giant banner to protest proposed cuts to higher education?

The show has hosted any number of inspiring and talented guests. Keep ’em coming, I say.

5. It’s really the only thing we’ve got.

Flawed as it may be Q&A’s ambitions are undeniably noble — and important.

Until someone comes up with a better forum for the public to access our politicians, it’s really the only thing we have and we need to fight for it.

Some other memorable moments from Q&A:

Miriam Margolyes calls Prime Minister Tony Abbott a ‘tit’ on Q&A.

The 7 best moments from the night women took over QandA.

Treasurer Joe Hockey agrees to lobby states to ditch GST on tampons, sanitary items after question from student on Q&A.