Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s slap down of Channel 7 reporter is nothing new

Annastacia Palaszczuk’s slap down of a “rude” reporter at a Covid press conference on Thursday didn’t shock those used to similar treatment from the Premier, writes Jessica Marszalek.

Oh my goodness! Did you see? The Premier lost her cool!

That seemed to be the reaction from many Queenslanders who tuned in to Annastacia Palaszczuk’s press conference on Thursday and watched her slap down a Channel 7 reporter when the temperature got too hot.

But there were few in the Queensland media gallery surprised at the to-and-fro.

Sunrise reporter Bianca Stone, who isn’t often seen on George St, asked the state’s leader about Wednesday’s highly politicised press conference and got a public rebuking for her trouble.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk at a Covid press conference where she refused to answer a “very rude” Channel 7 reporter’s question. Picture: Dan Peled

“I’m sorry, I don’t know your name,” Palaszczuk started with.

“Oh, hi Bianca, well I’m not going to answer people being rude.

“So, anyone else have a question? You’re being very rude.”

Incredible? Not really.

Whether a political ploy or personality quirk, the Premier has no qualms about not answering questions she doesn’t want to.

Journalists are name-checked and told their questioning on matters of public interest are rude on a fairly frequent basis, even though a better descriptor would be difficult.

Annastacia Palaszczuk often refuses to answer the hard questions. Picture: Dan Peled

During last year’s campaign she simply answered one difficult question about former deputy premier Jackie Trad with: “Next question.”

But it’s the job of reporters to ask hard questions.

After the Premier held one of the most politicised press conferences of this entire pandemic, and was nationally panned for it, journalists had every right to ask questions.

Politicians should be able to take what they dish out – and answer for it.