How Political Reporting Works

An occasional primer

A pleasant day. Clear, light winds.

A press gallery reporter calls a government media minder ...

‘I have a statement here from the Opposition spokesperson, they want to know what you’re going to do about the rain, they say it’s reaching the point of crisis.’

‘The rain?’

‘Yes.’

‘The statement says: “the government’s continuing failure to alleviate today’s startling rainfall is typical of its hands-off, do-nothing approach. Hard-working Australians deserve better. This rain must be stopped now”.’

‘You know it’s not actually raining?’

‘Sorry?’

‘It’s a sunny day.’

‘Sure. Does the minister have a response to the opposition statement?’

‘Well, no, why would we comment on something that isn’t actually happening?’

‘I’ll have to report that the minister refused to comment.’

‘Why don’t you just ignore the Opposition comment? You can tell that it’s not raining ... can’t you decide that for yourself. Look out the window. There’s no rain.’

‘The Opposition spokesperson says that the rainfall is at the point of crisis: what’s your response to that?’

‘I really don’t have one. It isn’t raining.’

‘Rain or not, that isn’t really the point. How do you respond to the Opposition?’

‘I want you to look out the window.’

‘Is that it? No comment?’

‘Yes.’

‘OK then.’

Rain Crisis: Government stalls

The Government continues to fail ordinary Australians with its do-nothing approach to the rain crisis, according to the Opposition. A spokesperson called for immediate Government intervention.
'‘The government’s continuing failure to alleviate the current rainfall is typical of its hands-off, do-nothing approach. Hard-working Australians deserve better. This rain must be stopped now.’
The Minister declined to comment.