ABC’s Virginia Trioli ended up in a tense exchange with the Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews as she attempted to book him in for another appearance.
Andrews appeared on Trioli’s Mornings programme to update everyone about the emergency flood situation in the state. The conversation was very much not about politics but rather about an emergency PSA.
However, at the end of the interview, News.com.au Trioli said: “Now look, Premier, you’ve requested not to be asked about policy or politics today, you say out of respect to those who are dealing with the floods, but it has been, I just checked, almost a year to the day when you were last in this studio or on this show for an interview.
“Can you give an assurance to the listeners that you will be back here for a proper in-depth interview within a couple of weeks?” She asked.
In true political style, Andrews dodged the question and said: “Um, well, I can’t give you a time, Virginia, but I’m always happy to sit with you. I wish we were talking under much more favourable circumstances.”
Trioli bite back and said: “You could if you’d like to!”
Andrews said: “Well, I could, but then it might not mean much because then I might have flood issues to deal with or something else to deal with, but I’m always happy to speak with you. You absolutely know that.”
Trioli seemed unmoved by his excuse and said: “We do keep requesting Premier.”
