A senior Labor Party figure has rejected suggestions that the loss of Saturday’s referendum on a First Nations’ voice to parliament has placed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s leadership under pressure. One of The Bug’s federal political reporters bumped into Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek (main picture) in a corridor at Parliament House in Canberra where this short interview took place.
The Bug: Hello? You’re the Environment Minister aren’t you?
TP: No.
The Bug: Come on. You’re Tanya Plibersek.
TP: No. No, I’m not. I’m just a Parliament House cleaner.
The Bug: No. You’re Tanya Plibersek.
TP: Oh damn. Yes, yes I am.
The Bug: I knew it. I had to look twice but I thought it was you. Even from further back down the corridor when I saw you pacing up and down outside this door I thought: ‘That’s Tanya Plibersek.’
TP: Yes, yes. It’s me.
The Bug: As for this door… where are we exactly? I’m a bit new to the job and I do get a bit lost inside Parliament House.
TP: It’s just a storeroom.
The Bug: Hang on, the sign says ‘Prime Minister’s Suite’.
TP: Oh, does it?
The Bug: Yes. It’s Albo’s office. Are you waiting to see him?
TP: He has my full support at this point in time. His leadership …..
The Bug: Sure, but I didn’t even ask…..
TP: …. is rock solid.
The Bug: So, you’re not waiting to see the PM?
TP: No. No. Not at all.
(office door opens slightly and a staffer’s face appears)
Prime Minister’s Office staffer: Minister, the PM will be a little bit longer if that’s okay.
TP: Ummmm. Okay.
(door closes)
The Bug: I really did have to look twice to see it was you. The hair threw me. What’s with the red hair?
TP: Nothing. It’s always been like that.
The Bug: No it hasn’t.
TP: Well, a change is as good as a holiday as they say.
The Bug: Yeah. And what was it I heard you mumbling to yourself as you were pacing up and down here?
TP: I wasn’t saying anything.
The Bug: Yes I could hear it as I approached. Something like ‘a good government has lost its way’?
TP: No, no. I wasn’t saying that at all.
The Bug: Pardon for asking but have you had work done? Your nose seems slightly more upturned and a bit pointier and longer than….
TP: (pointing over The Bug reporter’s should and down the corridor) Did someone say KFC?
The Bug: (turning around)What? Where? (turning back to see empty corridor)
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