“Screaming and interrupting, and rude, and insulting, intimidating and bullying.” Such were the descriptors used by former Labor WA Premier Mark McGowan to describe the Canberra press pack following the now-Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during the 2022 election campaign.

McGowan was speaking about his experiences of the joint press conferences he had with Albanese during that six-week campaign.

The WA premier said he was “shocked and appalled” by some Canberra-based members of the press pack, who, the Guardian reported, “attracted ongoing criticism from Labor supporters and veteran journalists for interjections and combative questioning”.

“Ask that question again.“: Peter Dutton responds to a question about Hezbollah at a press conference in Sydney.Credit: Nine News

“The sort of thing in a workplace, you’d get sacked for,” McGowan said. “They need to reflect on their behaviour. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

The same could be said about many politicians during question time, but there is no doubt that every political leader has to learn how to shape up to the Canberra media pack. The journos belonging to it are relentless and competitive, as they should be.

In his first press conference as prime minister in May 2022, Albanese sought to assert dominance. Encountering a shouting press gallery reporter, the fresh PM snapped at him.

“You will not get the call earlier because you yell,” Albanese said. “Can we just on day one, get that clear?”

What about when the tables are turned? This week Opposition leader Peter Dutton singled out an ABC reporter who asked what he clearly thought was an offensive question during a........

© The Age