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.
“I am just a local person. I have a tough question. I have a tough question, if you’re up forxjmtzyw 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 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 McGowan and Mr Albanese were joined by Labor’s candidate for Hasluck Tania Lawrence, who will try to unseat Liberal incumbent and Indigenous Affairs Minister Ken Wyatt.
