For any radio announcer, talk or music, it’s usually a long play to get to chat to your state leader, let alone the Prime Minister.
First there’s the building of your reputation, and trust, between you, your producer/s, their media support and the minister themselves.
Then there’s where you sit in the pecking order.
Finally, there’s game day as you parry around topics off limits, vet callers, in some instances fight to get a word in edgewise and contribute something new to the state, territory or national conversation.
There are certain ministers so savvy to the radio clocks that they ring unexpectedly five minutes before the news knowing that they’ll get airtime without the nuisance of the presenter being able to interject much before they must take that break.
Yesterday was Raf Epstein’s first shift on ABC Melbourne Mornings after replacing Virginia Trioli.
The Victorian Premier Dan Andrews has refused any discussion on air with Trioli after a fiery interview a year ago during the floods, even after his election win. Andrews also has refused to speak with the top rating and soon to retire Neil Mitchell on 3AW Mornings for nearly seven years.
It was a surprise then that Andrews physically came into the studio to join Epstein for a 24-minute one-on-one.
Yes, they discussed increases in gangland crime and the housing crisis. But despite I’m sure the phones and text messages running hot, Epstein chose not (or perhaps was told not) to answer or respond to any of them. This was Andrew’s first radio interview pretty much since he won the state election and a third term back in November 2022.
I don’t believe any other state or territory has such a lack of radio access to their leader.
On the other hand, our veritable Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has popped up at radio stations all over the country while he’s out and about and been willing to talk to topics big and small. He’ll appear on Jessica Rowe’s podcast tomorrow and also decided to call in to chat with Danny Chifley from Sydney community station 2SER during their radiothon.
Here’s part of their conversation:
Chifley: Who’s that we’ve got on the phone right now?
PM: G’day. Anthony Albanese here. How are you? Down in Canberra.
Chifley: Oh my god. Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese. Thank you so much for calling today to subscribe to 2SER as part of our Radiothon. It’s very much appreciated.
PM: My absolute pleasure. Although I don’t think I can win the album.
Chifley: No. Unfortunately, due to your position, you might be ineligible for today’s record giveaway. But don’t worry about it, I’ll see if we’ve got something lying around here for you. I know you do enjoy your records.
PM: I do, indeed. I’ve got a vinyl player at the Lodge here and one up in the office as well at Parliament House.
Chifley: Oh, nice.
PM: It helps make the day and evening a lot better, and thank you to 2SER for what you do and for what you have done for a long period of time now. Not just providing entertainment for your listeners, but being a real centre for people to get skills, who then go on to work in radio in other areas as well. You’ve played a vital role there for many, many years.
They go on to talk about the Referendum with Chifley playing the Prime Minister some Paul Kelly as a request. It’s spontaneous and meaningful with Albanese showing his willingness to discuss the Voice across a multitude of radio listener demographics.
While I actively dislike antagonistic radio where a presenter treats a guest like it’s a knockout boxing match, Trioli, Mitchell, Epstein, Hadley, Fordham etc are all award winning journalists and presenters who have the responsibility of representing our collective voices in conversations with our government leaders.
The PM keeps showing his willingness for a radio “chat”. Hopefully Andrews will make good on his words to Epstein about returning and next time talk with his Victorian constituents, not to them.
