Donkey Vote podcast: Riding the campaign buses

Riding on the campaign bus with the Premier and his family is as grim as it sounds. But hey, at least they have gourmet sandwiches … and sometimes a toilet. LISTEN TO THE DONKEY VOTE PODCAST

Premier Daniel Andrews steps off his campaign bus. Picture: David Geraghty

And you thought your summer holiday drive down the Great Ocean Road with screaming kids in the back was rough.

Try six hours on a campaign bus surrounded by politicians you may have just exposed on the front page.

Herald Sun’s State Political Editor Matt Johnston says the campaign bus trips are as grim as they sound.

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“Everyone is smiling and putting on a happy smile and the leaders look at you and say you’re a great reporter, even though in their mind they are thinking ‘What did you write about me?’” Mr Johnston tells the Herald Sun’s state election podcast Donkey Vote.

“My honest opinion of the buses are they are crap. You basically are captive in a box taken around to wherever the political party wants you to go.”

But they do feed you.

“The gourmet sandwiches are on the Labor bus … they might not have a toilet but they have better food.”