Locked up in Canberra
Yearly, journalists and editors descend on Parliament Home to take part within the political theatre that’s federal finances evening. This yr Crikey despatched alongside political editor Bernard Keane, federal political reporter Anton Nilsson and deputy editor Jack Callil. Beneath is Jack’s dispatch, filed forward of the 1.30pm lock-up.
A smug aura hangs like a halo as we move by means of safety to gather our laminated customer passes, able to be locked up collectively for six interminable hours with no telephones, wi-fi or a lot air air flow — and with horrible snacks as well.
Funds day is often skilled in considered one of two methods. For the newbies, it’s a whirlwind safari of political sightings (“Barnaby Joyce unintentionally elbowed me in a hallway!”); for the veterans, it’s all a bit humdrum. However like clockwork, every finances delivers an array of shambles, logistical complications and satisfying curios that readers by no means hear of.
A couple of from this yr’s indulgent political fête to this point: Crikey’s finances started with all of the tranquillity of a automobile backfiring, having found at 5pm yesterday that our lodge had someway cancelled our reserving, igniting a flurry of panicked messages and jokes about having to sleep Barnaby-style on a Braddon walkway.
Fortunately we discovered one other reservation, the place this morning, bleary-eyed from an early rise, we scarfed down a nutrient-rich foyer breakfast (hash browns, stale bread, espresso). We then rushed into an Uber, noting as we did UAP Senator Ralph Babet sliding right into a automobile in entrance of us. Following him the complete option to Parliament Home, we quipped we should always maintain a microphone out the window to ask him about chemtrails.
As soon as inside Parliament — its uninspiring spire looming like swiftly mounted yurt poles — we purpose for one of many constructing’s cafeterias, passing on the way in which the notorious finances tree, which this yr seems to be a bit limp and defeated, in addition to the tiny locked workplace of Every day Mail Australia. A reporter says it’s “virtually undoubtedly a refurbished bathroom cubicle” (we provide no proof to corroborate this). Down a hallway, unbiased MP Zali Steggall and a small entourage brush previous, as does Liberal Senator Dave Sharma trying as if he left the oven on at house.
As soon as we arrive within the downstairs meals corridor, politicians, editors and reporters mingle as if at a highschool formal. Our political reporter Anton mentions information.com.au’s political editor Samantha Maiden as soon as informed him this venue was the most effective one for eavesdropping, earlier than darting off to chinwag with former Nationals chief Michael McCormack. I’m left alone at a desk, realising I’ve amassed earlier than me an embarrassing assortment of drinks (a lukewarm espresso, a can of Coke and a bottle of water). Sipping from every in flip, I watch as Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Worth immediately cuts by means of the tables trying like she’s about to strangle somebody.
We’re now upstairs, stuffed inside our tiny shared workplace, questioning the place Bernard is (he likes to show up at 1pm, half-hour earlier than lock-up). As I rush to complete this tip, Maiden pokes her head in: “No Gina?” she asks, trying genuinely dejected. (Gina is Crikey’s editor, sadly cooped up in Sydney this yr.) “That’s a disgrace,” she says, earlier than ducking off.
“Blissful finances!”
Frolicking within the leaves
Who amongst us hasn’t wished to frolic within the good crimson leaves of a maple tree as autumn rolls in?
Crikey can hardly blame Treasurer Jim Chalmers for taking a quick second out of what’s presumably the busiest time of yr for the nation’s bean-counter-in-chief — the lead-up to the federal finances — to play among the many leaves of Parliament’s well-known Acer rubrum.
It’s the most recent addition to an extended line of budget-related photoshoots heading into a brand new monetary yr — who may overlook Josh Frydenberg’s “Back in Black” mugs, or Joe Hockey’s thousand-yard stare?
Chalmers’ workplace wouldn’t touch upon file as as to if it was their concept to play within the leaves or not.
Seven holds itself accountable
Seven has been within the wars these days, with Crikey reporting on its newest feud with 9 newspapers over the print version of The Australian Monetary Overview. This week, ABC’s Media Watch claimed in a section titled “Dawn vax scare” that Seven’s flagship breakfast present had amplified COVID-19 alarmism in its reporting on the withdrawal of the AstraZeneca vaccine from sale.
Shoppers eager to complain about media protection, significantly about problematic reporting in relation to COVID-19 misinformation, could be forgiven for pondering that one of many largest media firms within the nation was answerable to the Press Council of Australia. So did we — till a tipster dropped at our consideration this week that Seven is the truth is not a member of the Press Council.
So the place do you go you probably have an issue with Seven’s reporting?
The reply is the Impartial Media Council (IMC), shaped in 2012 with the same function to the Press Council. The IMC, composed of two former WA attorneys-general and a retired choose of the WA Supreme Court docket, oversees 29 member publications with one factor in widespread: they’re all owned by Seven West Media.
A lot for being judged by a jury of your friends.
