What you said about Anthony Albanese’s ‘lies’ over Russia request

Joe Hildebrand labels it “tactical obfuscation”. Many Aussies, though, call it straight-up lying. HAVE YOUR SAY

Joe Hildebrand labels it “tactical obfuscation”. Many Aussies, though, call it straight-up lying.

Either way, when and how much Anthony Albanese knew about a Russian request to use a military base off Papua, just 1300km from Australia, for its own aircraft remains subject of great debate.

The request from Russia was apparently made in February but only publicly revealed by the venerated international military journal Janes in April.

However The Australian revealed the government has been aware of the request since March.

“Plenty of people are now jumping up and down saying that this means Anthony Albanese and/or his ministers lied about what they knew and when they knew it,” columnist Hildebrand wrote.

“In fact, with one glaring exception that proved the rule, the PM and his ministers have been incredibly careful to not lie about it — but that doesn’t mean they have told the whole truth. Enter the art of tactical obfuscation.

Anthony Albanese has perfected the art of “tactical obfuscation” when it comes to Russia’s request for a military air base in Indonesia. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake

“One of the golden rules of politics is you never answer the question you are asked, you answer the question you want to be asked.”

As Hildebrand elaborated, politicians use this trick to make it sound like a “full-throated denial which suggests the question is based on a falsehood”.

“But of course it isn’t. The politician has simply answered a question the journo didn’t ask — namely whether there were plans, not whether there was a request,” he wrote.

Vladimir Putin and Russia are having a say in the election. Picture: AP

“And they have done so in a way that effectively rubbishes the question and the questioner without actually telling a lie.”

The bigger issue for Aussies, evidently, is the question of trustworthiness of politicians.

Many readers piled into the debate, slamming both the Prime Minister and politicians in general for their half-truths.

See what you had to say below and join the conversation >>>

WHAT YOU SAID

Time to call it out

John

The ABC should be all over this sort of stuff – but they aren’t!

Gleeson

Polygraph tests on national TV. That will sort it

STEPHEN

Joe, it’s called a lie. Cover it in glitter and it’s still a lie. Try this defence in a court and you’ll find out.

Scott

As George Costanza once said “it’s not a lie if you believe it’s really true” Looks like we have Prime Minister George!

George Constanza from TV show Seinfeld could make a good PM, according to some.

Politicians get away with it

Darren

Too many journalists these days are too young and too timid to be handling seasoned older politicians. It’s like pitting laymen up against experienced barristers.

Ian-wakeupVictoria

The subtle twist of the question is enough isn’t it? The follow-up question is then deflected with “ I have answered that question”

Tom

it doesn’t help the journos either that all Albos press conferences are so stage managed that they can only ask 1 question each and no follow up questions once Albo lies or doesn’t answer the actual question.

Henry Root

the clarity is that they planned and prepared the lies and obtusifications!

Has the Prime Minister been telling us the truth? Picture: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

Labor’s a joke

Keith

Vote them out, worst government I’ve seen in my 74 years.

Denise

This has been a disgraceful campaign by Labor. The lies and smear are a real turn off. I hope voters turf this liar out of the lodge

Anthony

Albanese lied about the Russia proposal for Indonesia and ignored China’s War Ships circling our country. Isn’t that enough to make everyone understand where Albanese’s priorities lay and what his care factor for Australians really are.

TP

A lie is both a deliberate falsehood, AND intentionally omitting something known. Albo is a liar, as is every member of his cabinet.

COLETTE

Albo is a blatant liar and the best in the business at it. What fools we will be if they get back in and, those that vote for this dishonest man deserve all the cost of living grief that comes with that vote.