Clouds hang low over Parliament House the morning after the Budget.
This particular chilly wednesday began earlier than most. I was at the Senate doors at 6.30am, ready to drop my bags in the Nine office, and head down to the front lawn of Parliament House with Mark.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard was set to appear on that morning’s programs such as Sunrise, and the Today Show. Karl Stefanovic and Ross Greenwood gave a post-Budget preamble, before Gillard joined them to air her views on the Budget.
Karl Stefanovic interviewing Prime Minister Julia Gillard live on The Today Show.
In typical Labor party form, Gillard mirrored the sentiments of her Treasurer, Wayne Swan, never straying from party lines.
She later moved over to Sunrise, to do an interview with well-known media personality, Kochie.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard during an interview with Seven’s Kochie.
Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey also graced Parliament House’s front lawns, following Gillard’s interviews.
At 9.00am, I walked back up to the Press Gallery in order to listen to Abbott’s interview with 2UE’s Paul Murray.
Abbott walked down the corridors of the Senate with the all the hubris of someone that knew he’s going to win, come September. Unfortunately I didn’t have time to listen to the interview, but I’m sure he reiterated what Hockey had said the previous night, meaning I wouldn’t have missed out on much!
After my Press Gallery-encounter with Abbott, I followed Lane Calcutt and Andrew, a Nine cameraman, down to the offices of Independent MP Tony Windsor, located on the lower level of the House of Representatives.
Windsor was largely sympathetic to Swan’s plight, illustrating him as a victim of dire economic circumstance, as well as of his own rhetoric. He seemed to have a understanding of the Treasurer’s complicated position, and was – for the most part – complimentary of the Treasurer and his character.
That package aired on Nine News on the 15th of May, 2013.
Independent MP Tony Windsor, during an interview with Nine’s Lane Calcutt, aired on the 15th of May, 2013.
After that, I was privileged enough to go to The National Press Club of Australia‘s post-Budget luncheon, held in the Committee Hall of Parliament House.
Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan delivered the keynote speech, recycling and repeating all key points from all of his post-Budget addresses.
You can watch ABC24’s recording of Wayne Swan’s speech below:
https://twitter.com/jetpack/status/334571318555049985I’m extremely grateful towards Mark for allowing me to join in on activities such as a National Press Club of Australia luncheon. Thought it’d be a long time before I got to attend such a luncheon, with such an influential group of people! It was an exciting experience, and one I won’t soon forget!
Following the excitement of lunch, Mark and I raced around Parliament House trying to secure me a press pass, so that I could watch Question Time from the press area of the House of Representatives. Fortunately, we were able to get the forms signed and stamped just in time. I moseyed my way over to the House of Representatives, and took a corner front-row seat in order to watch the excitement.
Swan’s family were sitting directly opposite me, on the other side of the House of Representatives.
Highlights included Bob Katter’s theatrical ejection from the House, on account of his inability to sit down when his time had expired.
Swan and Hockey also had a heated exchange, with Gillard and Abbott remaining uncharacteristically silent throughout.
Following Question Time, I headed back to the Press Gallery, before following Mark, Luke, and Andrew to the lower levels of Parliament House. Lane Calcutt had a scheduled interview with Minister for Finance and Deregulation, Penny Wong, set to air on Nine’s news bulletins later that night.
Tagged: AusPol, Australia, Journalism, Julia Gillard, Media, Politics, Wayne Swan
victorialandale 
This is fantastic Tori! You are amazing. Keep it up!