ANALYSIS: There is a lengthy and wealthy historical past of politicians doing no matter they'll to solely reply questions they need to reply.
John Howard was a fan of talkback radio, usually with a pleasant host who would solely provide up softball questions.
Kevin Rudd favored to pop up at brief discover a great distance from capital cities, guaranteeing skilled journalists with an in depth data of federal politics have been in brief provide.
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At press conferences, Scott Morrison was an professional at speaking for a very long time with out saying something, slicing down time for additional probing on all issues controversial.
On Friday, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk went down a distinct path, making an attempt a variety of techniques, earlier than insisting she'd answered a query which she hadn't.
The difficulty at hand was the Wellcamp Quarantine Facility, which got here with a $220 million price ticket for taxpayers.
After abandoning it for quarantine final yr, the premier then mentioned different makes use of have been being explored.
At a press convention final August, she cited "fairly a number of concepts" that Queenslanders would "hear in the end", with out revealing what they have been.
There is a perception amongst some round Parliament Home that there have been really no concepts, and this was a handy line to avoid wasting face.
So, with the last word demise of Wellcamp over the weekend, we once more requested the premier no matter occurred to these concepts, with this query:
"Premier, final August you mentioned there have been a number of attention-grabbing concepts coming ahead for Wellcamp that will be shared with Queenslanders. What occurred to these concepts, and why have been they by no means shared with Queenslanders?"
The premier responded with A-grade subject avoidance.
You possibly can watch the video to listen to it your self, or view the transcript the place she first talks about why Wellcamp was constructed, then lists another person's concepts, earlier than pivoting again to attacking a political rival.
Premier:"Nicely, Wellcamp was constructed as a result of our motels have been at capability. We have been in a distinct state of affairs than what we're in the present day. And the Wagners (a Queensland enterprise household) have indicated they're utilizing that facility for agricultural employees. I noticed feedback in the present day about (Opposition MP) Jarrod Bleijie up there. Extra enthusiastic about props than insurance policies, and it is about time the opposition put collectively some insurance policies."
After 26 seconds of this, and with the query no nearer to being answered, I reminded the premier the query was concerning the authorities's proposed concepts.
Journalist: "My query was concerning the concepts although."
Premier: "Nicely, no. I've answered your query."
Journalist: "That is not a authorities thought although. That is the Wagners'."
Premier: "We have been in a distinct scenario to COVID. I've made that very clear. Thanks."
With that, the premier stepped again from the microphone and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stepped in to take management and transfer questions on.
Alas, thriller nonetheless stays concerning the unrealised concepts that might have given the taxpayer some worth for the $220 million facility.
It is usually honest to say the premier was not impressed at these questions throughout a nationwide cupboard press convention.
Judging by social media commentary although, it seems voters have been equally unimpressed at her responses.
Individuals can draw their very own conclusions, however one takeaway is voters do not care concerning the circumstances during which a query is requested.
However in terms of their taxpayer dollars, they want it answered.
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