ABC Lateline’s Tony Jones trying hard to bring down the Opposition
Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey interviewed
by Tony Jones on ABC1’s Lateline last night.
“With just two days of parliament before MPs head to their electorates for the long winter break, the Government’s strategy is to keep the attack on Malcolm Turnbull and take the sting out of of the Opposition’s attack on the Treasurer and his alleged preferential treatment for Mr Rudd’s car dealer friend John Grant,” the ABC’s Alexandra Kirk said this morning on AM.
Since the issue broke last week, keeping the Government’s strategy on course is a task the ABC and other elements of the media have seemed quite willing to assist.
Last night, Lateline presenter Tony Jones testily asked Joe Hockey, “Can we possibly begin an interview with sticking to the actual question?” when the Shadow Treasurer tried to move the focus on to Treasurer Wayne Swan.
It would be a nice change if Jones and other ABC journalists and presenters applied the same standard to Government ministers, including the Prime Minister, who have spent all week avoiding questions about Wayne Swan’s emails and telephone conversations with Teasury on the OzCar issue.
In the 7.30 Report on Monday night, PM Rudd managed to take control of the interview from an acquiescent Kerry O’Brien. Repeatedly, O’Brien allowed Rudd to dodge and weave in response to specific questions about the Treasurer’s alleged preferential treatment of Queensland car dealer John Grant.
Risibly, towards the end of the interview and as a final diversion, rather than answer the question, the Prime Minister resorted to a glowing character assessment of his Treasurer.
Tony, sensational!! How brilliant!! I loved it when you said over and over again to Joe Hockey: “I seen you wear a dre-ess. I seen you wear a dre-ess.” I quickly realised what an inferior individual he was and how perceptive and wise you were point this out to us. Thank goodness we pay your salary – not matter HOW much it might be!!!
I can hardly wait for you to get Kevin Rudd on .. and say:”I seen you eat your ear-wax. I seen you eat your ear-wax!” Fantastic!!!
Oh .. shivvers – sorry. Someone has explained to me; for you to do that to Rudd would be purile, trivial, and irrelevant to anyhing much in particualr. It would demean by implication the Australian electorate and hold yourself up to ridicule!!! Sheeesh!! I guess that is why you are the 20 yr ABC professional – and I am the silly letter writer!!
Back in my box – your next payment being remitted soon – sir!! Sorry.
Martin Ambrens.