____ wrote on Jun 23
rd, 2012 at 3:27pm:
In Canberra there's nothing more frustrating for press gallery journalists than trying to pin down Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, even though he makes himself available almost every parliamentary sitting day.
Abbott very rarely fronts a full news conference in Canberra, preferring to do "doorstops" at staged events outside Parliament House. These are at a place where the Opposition Leader can run a line on the carbon tax and then take a few questions.
There are not many - he will cut the session short by just walking away if questioning turns to things he doesn't want to talk about. Also, because these events are outside Parliament House, only a small number of journalists attend, as most have time and filing pressures and can't afford the hour necessary to get to and from what is primarily a picture opportunity.
As well as not fronting major news conferences, Abbott avoids longer-form interviews. He hasn't appeared on Cassidy's Insiders since the beginning of last year - and it's been the same time since he did an interview with Lateline.
His appearances on the ABC's 7.30 are confined to specific events so that more general questioning is kept to a minimum, and it's a long time since Abbott has conducted a longer interview with any of the major newspapers.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard does at least give news conferences in Canberra when she takes questions until the reporters run dry, and she will appear on shows such as Lateline, Four Corners (to her regret) and the hour-long Q&A.
Usually you learn something about Gillard when she subjects herself to this form of questioning - for better or for worse, as far as she's concerned.
It should be a serious concern that the man who wants to be prime minister and, the polls say, is short odds to achieve that goal, doesn't give longer, searching interviews.
The fact Abbott and his advisers have a deliberate policy to avoid scrutiny should be a major concern for all who take an interest in our national public life.
Maybe that's because the press is dominated by left wing elites who are constantly trying to skewer Abbott???
He'd a good man who has worked hard and has good conservative values. He'll set the country right, but unfortunately will have to fix Labor's mess as a first priority.
Name all the mainstream media organisations that are run by lefties?..
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