is this relevant?

I heard, (hearsay is the only form of gossip)
that in the parliament of Queensland they were debating the issue of pocket money. Did you know (shock horror) that boys get more than girls.
What I want to know is why is this of dire national importance to be a debate topic at all. what about all the other things that are of much more immediacy, like water, or recycling, or infrastructure etc. Surely there is something better to talk about. Apparently not!