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haphazard administrative style. And hidden, or revealing facts that make journalists decided not to write powerful figures uncomfortable, is JAMES PATERSON about the fact that Rudd was widely arduous and often thankless. Yet it is Editor hated by Labor MPs. the true essence of the best reportage; Button was a speech writer uninterested in consequences, just way back in 2009. Since then, the focused on pursuing the truth.’ problems have only become worse. Kevin Rudd’s behaviour had real JOHN ROSKAM We face a perfect storm. First: consequences. Because he had Executive Director of the Institute of Public Affairs many journalists have abandoned no faith in his ministers, Rudd their traditional notions of encouraged his personal staff to objectivity. Second: governments make policy decisions without and bureaucracies have built up input from ministers and their ne of the most revealing vast armies of communications departments. That was how the Why the press gallery failed stories in modern professionals, whose job is to drip tragedy of Labor’s ‘pink-batts’ Australian politics comes feed good news stories and ‘manage’ came about. One of the reasons from James Button—a the way the press covers its failures. the National Broadband Network, Ospeechwriter for Kevin Rudd for a These changes have been a long time the largest infrastructure project in us, and why they will again short time in 2009. coming. Thirdly: the Australian the country’s history, didn’t have Button’s recent and fascinating media has finally been hit by a long- a cost-benefit analysis applied to book, Speechless: A year in my father’s running world-wide phenomenon: it was because the policy didn’t go John Roskam and James Paterson argue we can no longer business, details the now familiar the breakdown of the news industry through any sort of regular cabinet rely on the media to hold governments to account. story of chaos and confusion under business model. process. It was conceived only as Rudd’s prime ministership. Cabinet In other words, we have fewer an ‘announceable’—a media stunt deliberations were routinely stalled journalists, those journalists have for the political benefit of the and abandoned. Bureaucrats waited stronger and more explicit political government. to submit briefings until he went opinions, and they face off against When Rudd was deposed in overseas and his deputy, Julia Gillard, more professional media managers June 2010 it came as a complete could be trusted to make decisions. than ever before. shock to voters. The public were Advisers flew across the world for in- Journalist Chris Kenny recently mystified that someone who had flight meetings that never eventuated. attempted to explain why so many led the ALP to victory against John ‘Around Canberra,’ Button writes, of Australia’s political journalists Howard in December 2007 could ‘it was widely said that Rudd’s refused to cover the story of be dumped the way he was. At the leadership style was dysfunctional.’ Julia Gillard’s dealings with the time Labor MPs stayed disciplined Nothing demonstrates the failure Australian Workers Union. What and no-one gave an explanation of Australia’s journalists to tell the he said also applies to the coverage for what had happened. It was only public the real story than these of Kevin Rudd’s time as prime when Rudd attempted a comeback two words: ‘around Canberra’. The minister. earlier this year that the truth Canberra press gallery, comfortable ‘The foundation of journalism is finally emerged. in their wing of parliament house, curiosity, so it is confounding to This time they spoke out. Labor knew Kevin Rudd was mad. They see journalists display deliberate backbencher Steve Gibbons called knew his government was wildly and selective incuriosity. Paid to be Rudd a ‘psychopath’. Gibbons said spinning out of control. They traded stickybeaks, journalists are expected to that Rudd had a ‘chaotic and deeply stories among themselves; they gather information and share it with offensive style of leadership’. Wayne speculated how long Rudd could people. The entire disposition of their Swan said that as PM Rudd had keep it from falling apart. craft is towards transparency, inquiry suffered from ‘dysfunctional But they didn’t tell us. and revelation. Too much information decision making and a deeply While Kevin Rudd was prime is never enough. Their primary function demeaning attitude towards other minister journalists decided is as simple as it is challenging - to people including our caucus not to write about his rude reveal the truth. Journalism is never colleagues’. (This of course raises and vindictive treatment of his so valuable, nor so testing, as when it the question of why Swan tolerated colleagues. Journalists decided not reveals unpalatable truths. Shedding such behaviour from Rudd as to write about his disorganised and light on information others would prefer his treasurer.)

6 IPA Review | ipa.org.au DECEMBER 2012 | IPA Review 7 R WHY THE PRESS GALLERY FAILED US, AND WHY THEY WILL AGAIN Volume 64 I 4 POLITICAL REPORTER R

treatment of the flight attendant is public opinion. ‘The government to work. In a recent profile for the her background prior to becoming Media advisers exactly why Swan said Rudd was ran a media machine, better staffed Crikey website, The Power Index, her a journalist: ‘Kelly…was involved in employed by The story of unsuited to be prime minister. At than most media outlets, which journalist listeners gushed with praise. the feminist movement and marched chaos and the time then Coalition senator bombarded the press with daily ‘Fran is like the Madonna of in anti-nuclear, environmental and confusion under governments Kevin Rudd: Nick Minchin talked about what the announceables.’ the journalism world. You don’t Aboriginal rights rallies in her youth.’ across Australia Speechless: media wanted to ignore. ‘Those of The explanation that it was even need to say her surname. It’s Indeed, in March this year while A year in my us who work and live in Parliament because of budget cuts that the just Fran,’ said ABC colleague Sally being interviewed by the Sydney father’s business House have known for years there’s Canberra press gallery didn’t tell the Neighbour. Fairfax columnist Ross Morning Herald for a profile, she two sides to Kevin Rudd, and that nation about the reality of Kevin Gittins says her radio program is admitted ‘what I am, really am, 1,600 behind closed doors he’s prone to Rudd’s prime ministership doesn’t ‘unmissable for serious followers is an activist’. Federal government temper tantrums and this sort of give the media enough credit. The of politics’. Crikey described her Ironically, in a previous (source: The Australian, August 2012) CONTINUED belittling and very bad behaviour members of the press gallery in regular segment with The Age’s interview with Crikey, Kelly accused In the end it wasn’t the with his own staff.’ What Minchin Parliament House are not so dumb political editor Michelle Grattan The Australian newspaper of being government that fell apart, it was said is exactly what any Labor MP that they missed, in Button’s words, as ‘appointment listening for the ‘completely skewed on issues like Rudd’s leadership, because of could have said about Rudd—and ‘the biggest story in Canberra.’ political class.’ climate change and the NBN’. 822 the things that Button describes. subsequently did. Members of the press gallery simply Victoria As Button makes clear what was Button writes that it was only after chose not to write about ‘the biggest THIS TIME THEY SPOKE OUT. LABOR (source: Herald Sun, October 2010) happening was no secret. Public Rudd was on the backbench that the story in Canberra’ because it didn’t BACKBENCHER STEVE GIBBONS CALLED RUDD A servants do one thing well and details of his behaviour emerged. suit their purposes. Journalists were >‘PSYCHOPATH’. GIBBONS SAID THAT RUDD HAD A another thing often: they watch ‘But this story [of Rudd’s dysfunction and too busy cheering for the apology, ‘CHAOTIC AND DEEPLY OFFENSIVE STYLE OF LEADERSHIP’ their ministers obsessively, and rudeness] did not hit the papers until action on climate change, and Kevin 156 then they talk about their minister much later, after Rudd had gone. It was Rudd saving Australia from the global NSW incessantly. There’s no way Rudd strange to me, a former journalist. Were financial crisis. Kelly is also a regular panellist But one journalist’s biases on its (source: Herald Sun, October 2010) could act the way he did without it the media so out of touch they couldn’t Many journalists and news on Insiders, the ABC’s flagship own don’t prove the press gallery is getting out. And it did get out and it spot the biggest story in Canberra, how outlets now barrack for one side or program for discussing conventional flawed. But that Kelly continues to was known widely in Canberra, but it the whole functioning and fate of the the other. Long gone are the days political wisdom. It was on the hold such a prominent post at the was just that the media didn’t report government seemed to hinge on the when the vast majority of journalists Insiders couch that Kelly made an ABC, and the obvious admiration 401 it. While Rudd was in office one or psychology of one man? In hindsight, attempted a degree of objectivity unintentionally revealing comment of her colleagues, following her Queensland two stories about his tantrums did I think it would have been better if in their reporting of politics. Of and exposed what she really admissions speaks volumes about (source: Herald Sun, October 2010) appear, but they were reported as this story had come to light. It might course journalists have opinions, believed. Appearing on the program the culture of journalism in isolated incidents, not as a consistent have forced others to force Rudd to and they’ve always had opinions. But on June last year, Kelly expressed Australia. pattern of behaviour. change before it was too late. On the never before have personal opinions her frustration at the delays in Sadly, there’s no reason to think 265 In April 2009 a story did appear other side now, I saw how my old and partisan prejudices been so passing the carbon tax. it will improve. Alongside this about Kevin Rudd yelling at a profession was both all-powerful and obvious. Nor have those prejudices ‘Bring on the certainty I say, get trend of journalists as advocates is Western Australia (source: Herald Sun, October 2010) 23-year-old RAAF flight attendant curiously irrelevant.’ been so unanimous as they are the thing voted in’, she said, adding an ever-increasing army of media who served him the wrong meal on The story of Rudd’s prime today, particularly when it comes ‘I’m firmly of the view that a price management on the government a flight between Papua New Guinea ministership didn’t hit the papers to issues like climate change. The on carbon is the way forward. The payroll. Government ministers and and Australia. Rudd subsequently because of anything the media personal prejudices of journalists Shergold Report convinced me that members of parliament continue 228 apologised to the flight attendant. did. It was Rudd’s colleagues—who are revealed in any number of ways, that’s the most effective way for this to retain numerous media advisers,

The opposition’s Julie Bishop publicly campaigned against him by but particularly by their decisions on country to prepare for a low carbon as they have done for many years. SA (source: Herald Sun, October 2010) said ‘this kind of bullying that revealing the details of his personal what to write about and what not to economy. We have to get into this.’ Governments at every level and reduced her to tears and ended behaviour when he challenged Julia write about. Kelly is entitled to her view. of every political stripe continue up in an incident being filed… Gillard for the Labor leadership— No political journalist better But such open barracking for a to finance elaborate advertising would not be accepted in any who broke the story. highlights this tendency than the controversial policy by a journalist campaigns to support their policies, 123 workplace across Australia.’ In the According to Button, the ABC’s Fran Kelly. Kelly is perhaps is an unwise move, particularly one with barely concealed party-political Tasmania light of what he was to say a year explanation of the media’s failure to one of the most revered journalists whose salary is funded by taxpayers benefit. The Gillard government’s (source: Herald Sun, October 2010) later, Wayne Swan’s defence of report what was common knowledge in Australia, at least among other and who should be expected to shameless ‘Household Assistance Rudd is ironic. ‘Everything that the in Canberra about Rudd was that journalists. That respect brings remain impartial. Package’ campaign—introduced to Opposition does at the moment media budgets were being tightened influence: herBreakfast show on Yet it was hardly surprising. compensate for the carbon tax, but is completely over the top, hyper- at the same time as the government Radio National sets the tone for the You don’t have to listen to many which never mentions it—is just the exaggerated and really irresponsible.’ was spending ever greater amounts day ahead. Breakfast is perfectly timed of Kelly’s interviews to guess her latest in a long history of misusing The reality is of course that Rudd’s of money to influence the media and for print journalists on their way political leanings. Crikey describes taxpayers’ money.

8 IPA Review | ipa.org.au DECEMBER 2012 | IPA Review 9 R INSIDE Volume 64 I 4

alleged bias, but promise to use the force of law to correct that bias. At the time of writing it still remains unclear what extra regulation the Gillard government intends to subject the media to in its quest for more favourable coverage, but proposed measures have included statutory media regulators to enforce balance. Despite the massive failings of the media to expose the ALP’s dysfunctional first term in office, the current federal government wants to ensure that the media will fail us again. If these curbs on media freedom are implemented, we can expect more journalists and news outlets to pull their punches when reporting on the government. Even if recommendations from the likes of the Finkelstein inquiry into the media are left to languish, the implied threat of government regulation might be enough to scare media proprietors into avoiding pursuing some stories. The odds are firmly stacked against the press faithfully fulfilling its role of informing the public and ALREADY, IT WAS CLEAR THAT TAXPAYERS’ FUNDS WERE BEING interested in publishing an article he article should be credited, assuming Undoubtedly, this lavishly holding governments to account— MISSPENT. SUPPOSEDLY IMPARTIAL PUBLIC SERVANTS had written for the IPA Review. The we agreed to publish it, we were (taxpayer) funded enterprise affects particularly those of the left. Far >SHOULD NOT BE PRODUCING PROPAGANDA SELLING THE topic was the National Broadband told ‘I have no problem with you news coverage. Entire teams of public too many journalists allow their VIRTUES OF GOVERNMENT POLICY Network, and how its implementation by-lining it from your team.’ In servants exist to ensure that the ideological preferences to cloud would be beneficial, particularly to other words, we should feel free to government of the day is presented their news judgement. The failure CONTINUED the media itself: 600 journalists were women. Given the IPA has been one pretend that this pro-government in a positive light. And Button is to report on the widely known But perhaps the most recent axed from News Limited and Fairfax of many prominent critics of the propaganda was not written by the partially right when he argues that failings of the Rudd government is and worrying trend is the massive this year alone. In the states, that NBN, and given this information is government at all, but instead was shrinking newsroom budgets make it just one spectacular example of this expansion of media handlers and milestone has long gone. Ministerial no further than a Google search away, the work of an independent writer. easier for these PR teams to influence shortcoming. Issues in which elite communications experts employed press secretaries alone far outnumber we were curious as to why we had Of course, Stephen Conroy’s office the media. opinion is basically uniform—like within government departments. An the press. been offered the article. purported to be horrified that such a It is no coincidence that the the need for Australia to take action investigation in The Australian earlier Thanks to a recent incident, we Already, it was clear that practice was taking place, and assured department exposed for underhand to address climate change—also this year revealed the extraordinary now have an insight into what these taxpayers’ funds were being misspent. us that this was an isolated incident. efforts to influence the press is also suffer from a lack of balance, and number of public relations staff taxpayer funded staff do each day. Supposedly impartial public servants But in truth we have no idea how the department of the minister most probably always will. And we can employed by the federal government. In September this year a ‘Senior should not be producing propaganda many articles praising government enthusiastic about regulating the expect things to get much worse The Australian Taxation Office has Communications Adviser’ within the selling the virtues of government policy from supposedly independent media: Stephen Conroy’s. before they get any better, with the 271. The Health Department? 72. ‘Media and Public Affairs’ division policy for external publication. If a journalists were actually ghost-written This media management trend ceaseless expansion of the spin-state AusAid? 38. All up, more than 1,600 of Stephen Conroy’s Department of minister wants to sell their policies, by government spin doctors. And we occurs at the same time as the most and the threat of draconian media public relations related roles exist Broadband, Communications and they and their staff should do it are only aware of the practice because overt media intimidation seen in regulation hanging over the press. in the federal government, alone. the Digital Economy got in touch themselves. one departmental media adviser failed Australian history. On a routine There’s only one thing we can be The number of professional media with the IPA. But subsequent emails revealed to Google the IPA before submitting basis, government ministers not only confident of: the press failed us, managers looks certain to swamp He wondered if the IPA was even more. After we asked how the his article. attack individual media outlets for and they will again. R

10 IPA Review | ipa.org.au DECEMBER 2012 | IPA Review 11