In a stunning display of either ignorance or sycophancy, Steve (Mister 1.9%) Fielding has claimed as a “myth” the fact that media owners influence the views expressed by their media outlets. He did, however, provide a possible explanation for his astoundingly pathetic opinion, telling the Senate that the people who Family First represent aren’t aware of the media reform debate and do not buy newspapers. Great to see a high level of social and political engagement in Steve’s world. But as always, this “people who Family First represent” thing is a bit tricky. There are three possible definitions:

1) The 56,372 Victorians who voted for Family First
2) Every Australian “family”
3) The Pentecostal Church

My money’s with option three, although I can’t see how this latest stupidity is in the interests of any of them. But whichever way you look at it Steve Fielding is revealing himself every day as more and more of a total goose. He makes Lachlan Connor look like Bill Clinton. Here’s hoping Family First’s influence in Federal politics is short and inglorious, remembered as a footnote in Australian political history right next to One Nation.