The big winner from last night’s ratings was Q&A on the ABC, with 972,000 national viewers: 691,000 in the metros and 281,000 in the regionals and number 1 after 9.30pm. The national figure was up from 852,000 the week before nationally and 605,000 in the metros and 247,000 in the regions. The previous week saw a lift on Q&A’s normal Monday night audiences this year. It is clear the audience wants to see politics discussed in this fashion during this boring election campaign rather than the traditional way, as we see Monday to Friday on 7.30.

In other words, people want to either ask themselves, or see their peers pitch up questions to pollies, rather than have a journalist such as Leigh Sales do it (and not touch on issues that are important to voters). This is an interesting judgement by the TV audience. The only other program that has benefited so far in the campaign from the politics is Insiders, and that is its lifeblood.