Coronavirus Australia: ABC journalist Michael Rowland defends vaccine clash with health minister Greg Hunt

Michael Rowland takes to Twitter to reject claim he identifies with the left after fiery exchange with Health Minister Greg Hunt.

ABC journalist Michael Rowland has gone on the defensive over his questioning of Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt’s use of a Liberal Party logo on a government announcement about COVID-19 vaccines.

Just minutes before the public broadcaster’s News Breakfast TV show wrapped up on Wednesday, Rowland posted a clip of his interview with Mr Hunt on social media platform Twitter, and rejected Mr Hunt’s claim that he identifies with the left.

Rowland, who has co-hosted the program since 2010, says he was just doing his job as an ABC journalist.

“No, Minister, I don’t identify with the left. My job as an ABC journalist is to hold ALL sides of politics to account, as I was this morning,” Rowland said in his post, which generated a lot of comments and nearly 2000 likes by 10am.

“It was, and is, a simple question,” he said, adding that the minister was welcome back on the show any time.

Greg Hunt and Michael Rowland clash in tense ABC interview. Picture: Supplied

During the interview, Rowland asked Mr Hunt “why did he feel the need to attach a Liberal Party logo to an Australian government announcement” last week that it had secured an additional 10 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine.

Here it is.

Judge for yourself.

No, Minister, I don't identify with the left. My job as an ABC journalist is to hold ALL sides of politics to account, as I was this morning.

It was, and is, a simple question.

You're welcome back on the show any time.@BreakfastNews #auspol https://t.co/Rkm9poIOiZ

— Michael Rowland (@mjrowland68) February 9, 2021

“We made the Australian government announcement as the government with the Prime Minister but I was elected,” Mr Hunt said before Rowland interrupted.

“But I’m asking about why the Liberal Party logo was there?,” Rowland said.

The two went backwards and forwards, and then Mr Hunt rebuked Rowland over his question.

“Because we predicted that you seem to be the most exercised of any person in the Australian media about this. So I was elected under that banner, multiple members from across multiple parties do that,” the minister said.

“I’m a very proud member of that party with a great heritage and tradition in Australia and that’s part of the Australian democratic process so overwhelmingly, we do these things as the Australian Government.”

Rowland then questioned who paid for the vaccines.

“Let us draw a clear distinction here. I know this is an issue for you. In many ways, you identify with the left, you do this a lot and I respect that,” Mr Hunt said.

“No, Minister, no, no, no I, I,” Rowland said.

“You’re open about that, and that’s entirely a matter for you,” Mr Hunt responded.

“I find that offensive,” Rowland said, adding he’s “exercised about what’s right and wrong.”

Mr Hunt said Rowland should be “open” about his political position.