Press conference gatecrasher’s tough question for Anthony Albanese and Mark McGowan

Anthony Albanese’s press conference took a strange turn after a gatecrasher attempted to join the media pack to ask a “tough question”.

Anthony Albanese and Mark McGowan both declined to take a “tough question” from a gatecrasher at their joint press conference in Perth on Wednesday.

The rather run-of-the-mill event focusing on Labor’s policy promises took a turn after a man wandered up to the media pack and attempted to ask the Opposition Leader and West Australian Premier a question of his own.

The two leaders spoke to journalists side-by-side in the Hasluck electorate, which Labor is hoping to pick up at the imminent federal election.

The man, apparently a stranger, approached the group as Mr Albanese and Mr McGowan were taking questions from reporters and announced he was “not a media person” but said he had something to ask as a local resident.

Anthony Albanese and Mark McGowan's press conference was gatecrashed on Wednesday. Picture: ABC News

“I am just a local person. I have a tough question. I have a tough question, if you’re up for it,” the man said.

Mr Albanese, who appeared taken aback, said he was “absolutely up for it” but he couldn’t take the man’s question at a press conference.

“Sorry, we can’t really do that. There is protocol. The alliance will be a bit upset if we (do it),” Mr Albanese said, referring to the journalists’ union.

The gatecrasher identified himself as a local resident with a 'tough question'. Picture: SBS News

The man tried again to ask his question, saying “the media won’t mind at all. I said are you up for it? Are you up for it?”

Mr Albanese interjected by saying: “No, we are just taking questions from journalists because that is what we do in a press conference.”

The man pressed on, turning his attention to Mr McGowan, asking: “Are you up for it Premier McGowan?”

Mr McGowan also declined to answer, but he and Mr Albanese both told the gatecrasher they would be happy to have a chat with him after the press conference.

Mr Albanese used the same media event to announce Labor’s almost $40m commitment to improve newborn screening programs to test and treat infants for rare diseases.

“At the moment, they’re screening for about 25 diseases. But we need to lift that up to 80, which is world’s best practice,” he said.

“This will make a practical difference. It means that parents can get more security and certainty about their newborns.”

With Labor moving to boost its health credentials ahead of the election, Mr Albanese promised to work with the states and territories to achieve better health outcomes.

Mr McGowan and Mr Albanese were joined by Labor’s candidate for Hasluck Tania Lawrence, who will try to unseat Liberal minister Ken Wyatt.