Shorten, Albanese star in one of the happiest stories ever told

Taking the path to joy on Nine’s Today show yesterday:

Karl Stefanovic: Does Bill Shorten have a drama with you?

Anthony Albanese: Not at all.

Stefanovic: You sure?

Albanese: Yep.

Stefanovic: You are not after his job?

Albanese: Not at all.

Stefanovic: Why not?

Albanese: Because I’m happy with the job that I’ve got, and I’m a team ­player. I’ve always been a team player. I’m making a contribution holding the government to account on infrastructure.

Stefanovic: His popularity is woeful, why wouldn’t you just muscle up and go and grab his job?

Albanese: We are on 53 per cent of the two party-preferred vote.

Stefanovic: He’s not.

Bill Shorten’s press conference yesterday:

Journalist: Do you think that Anthony Albanese is being underused in question time, given his experience?

Shorten: He’s doing a great job. I couldn’t be happier with him.

Last time Albanese was allowed to ask anything in question time:

May 10.

Bill Shorten’s press conference yesterday:

Journalist: There have been some reports that Anthony Albanese might be a rival for your position?

Shorten: I have got to say, again ... I’m grateful for the degree of unity which the Labor Party has shown. Australians don’t want political parties fighting among themselves — they want them focused on the issues of Australians.

Back to the Today show:

Albanese: I think it’s very hard to say, Karl, that I don’t have a say in politics. Here I am on the most popular breakfast television program.

Christopher Pyne: You’re in the bunker!

Albanese: Just got that in for the ad, mate.

Pyne: You’re in the bunker.

Stefanovic: You’ll be back next week, you can talk as much as you like.

Albanese: Christopher mightn’t be.

Pyne: We’ll see about that. If you go down, brother, I’m going too. We go down together. We rise or fall together.

Stefanovic: That’s funny.

Albanese: I’m worried now.

Donald Trump on Thursday:

I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris. I promised I would exit or renegotiate any deal which fails to serve America’s interest.

Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto on Twitter yesterday:

As the Mayor of Pittsburgh, I can assure you that we will follow the guidelines of the Paris Agreement for our people, our economy & future.

Sam Blackledge in Britain’s Plymouth Herald on Wednesday:

Before 8.30am today, I had never interviewed a prime minister. Heading back to the office to transcribe my encounter with Theresa May at Plymouth’s fish market, I couldn’t be certain that had changed … Two visits in six weeks to one of the country’s most marginal constituencies — is she getting worried? “I’m very clear that this is a crucial election for this country.” Plymouth is feeling the effects of military cuts. Will she guarantee to protect the city from further pain? “I’m very clear that Plymouth has a proud record of connection with the armed forces.” How will your Brexit plan make Plymouth better off? “I think there is a better future ahead for Plymouth and for the whole of the UK.” Will you promise to sort out our transport links? “I’m very clear that connectivity is hugely important for Plymouth and the South West generally.”

Blackledge concludes:

Back at the office, we scratched our heads and wondered what the top line was. She had given me absolutely nothing.