‘Just doing my job’: Bushnell responds to being flipped off by Liberals leader

I suppose journalists and the public for that matter are getting sick of politicians not answering simple but important questions because the public won’t like the truth.

For instance this is not the first ACT election where the Liberals have promised to somehow do more with less taxes and yet they still cannot answer how they think it’s possible.

Is that because the answer is something like “higher rates and levees combined with mass job losses within the ACT public service”?

For Lee, it’s both a good thing and a bad thing that this (potentially fatal) “Mark Latham handshake” moment, occurred only two days before the election.

The good thing – many ACT electors, who may be impacted by the action and as such consider it gives cause to (as per the survey) ‘worry about her performance’, will have already voted … particularly as there has been prominent encouragement to vote early.

The bad thing – many ACT electors, who may be impacted by the action and as such consider it gives cause to (as per the survey) ‘worry about her performance’, have not yet voted.

I think Bushnell has a hide claiming the high ‘journalistic moral high ground’, for he is far from a credible journalist, being more of the ilk of Andrew Bolt, a biased political commentator. Nevertheless, he was doing his job.

As a result of this matter, it’s harsh but fair to ask the question – if Lee cracks under the pressure of a few months of campaigning, how will she handle the pressure of the CM role over the next 4 years – and the inevitable barrage from the left-favourable media?

While it was always going to be tough for Lee to emerge victorious, from tomorrow’s election, the incline on that slope has just become steeper.

It is an insult to voters intelligence for any political party or candidate to offer uncosted policies. For many federal and state/territory election cycles we have been fed nonsense about releasing policy and, or, costing as late as the Friday before the official polling day, when pre-poll voting has been available already for two weeks. In Germany, policies with costings must be released six months before the poll, to permit, nay encourage, discussion, debate and assessment among voters. What a concept! We are insulted daily with distracting, often unverifiable claims and ‘promises’ from politicians. Those promising more with less just add to the insult. There are too few actual ‘journalists’ left, and I expect them to ask questions, especially of those seeking to woo us with sleight-of-hand promises.

Love Ian Bushnell! Ian is right to hold Lee accountable to respond to the question. None of the liberal policy propositions make sense. They are not costed and they are misleading. Lee deflected the question. Poor form and poor behaviour. Not a good look for Liberal leadership.

Just doing his job says Bushnell. Yes, but the manner in which he does it is important. Good journalists ask questions rather than demanding answers in such a rude way.

The Region journalist asked her not to deflect and to answer his question.

“Are you finished?” Mr Lee asked.

“I am, answer the question,” Mr Bushnell responded.

Mr Bushnell was plain rude. How dare he talk to anyone like that, demanding an answer, rather than asking politely. He deserved a much more direct reprimand for his complete lack of good manners. To then complain about her very mild reaction to his rudeness. Pathetic!

A firm favourite election moment for me too – flipping the bird to a biased, inflammatory left-wing reporter who is supposed to report on evidence? I’m sure many more flipping birds are heading the same way in the form of votes!

Elizabeth you’re a legend. If I hadn’t already voted I would vote for you