[ad_1]
Dan Andrews has brutally snubbed leading ABC radio host Virgina Trioli less than two months after she ambushed him on air.
The Victorian Premier chose to give his first post-election win interview to her colleague, drive host Raf Epstein, on Wednesday in what was interpreted as ‘payback’ against Trioli.
Epstein’s show usually has a smaller audience share than Trioli’s in the Melbourne radio ratings.
Dan Andrews has brutally snubbed leading ABC radio host Virgina Trioli less than two months after she ambushed him on air
The Victorian Premier chose to give his first post-election win to her colleague, drive host Raf Epstein, on Wednesday in what was interpreted as payback against Trioli for using a live interview to demand more time with him
The snub of Trioli’s show comes two months after Mr Andrews unleashed on the star reporter during a fiery interview.
He appeared on the programme for the first time in almost a year to update the listeners on the state’s evolving flood situation.
Mr Andrews only agreed to that live studio interview, on October 14, on the condition that the chat was focused on Victoria’s record floods and didn’t stray into politics or policy.
In the interview, Trioli broke the agreement and cornered Mr Andrews live on air.
‘Now look, Premier, you’ve requested not to be asked about policy or politics today, you say, out of respect to those who are dealing with the floods,’ Trioli said.
‘But it has been, I just checked, almost a year to the day when you were last in this studio or on this show for an interview. Can you give an assurance to the listeners that you will be back here for a proper, in-depth interview within a couple of weeks?’
A visibly surprised Premier refused to give any guarantees.
‘Ah, well, I can’t give you a time, Virginia,’ he replied.
‘But I’m always happy to sit with you. I wish we were talking under much favourable circumstances.’
Trioli interrupted: ‘You could (give me a time) if you’d like to.’
The remark sparked a war of words.
‘Well, I could, but it might not mean much because I might have flood issues to deal with, or something else to deal with,’ Mr Andrews retorted.
‘But I’m always happy to speak to you, you know that.’
Trioli said they do keep requesting to speak to him, promoting Mr Andrews to try and shut down the questioning.
‘Today’s not a day for politics,’ he said.
But Trioli kept pressing: ‘But you’ll come back soon?’
‘Sure, I’m more than happy to,’ the Premier replied before quickly changing the subject back to floods.
Behind the scenes it is understood Mr Andrews and his team was unhappy about Trioli’s tactics.
Trioli was among the high profile names who slammed the Premier and his government after it was recently revealed ‘failings’ in the state’s triple-zero service led to the deaths of 33 people in the eight months up to May this year.
Simon Pristel, former news director of 7News and ex-Herald Sun editor, told The Australian Mr Andrews team ignored her show before the election because they believe they don’t need her show.
Trioli complained during a fiery live interview with Mr Andrews before his big election win that he hadn’t given her an interview for a year, then tried to force him into promising one.
‘Now, as frustrating as that is for you and your listeners and that goes against the grain of all the journalistic fibre of my body, that’s clearly a strategy, Mr Pistel said.
‘[Mr Andrews’ team] don’t think they need mainstream media in terms of radio in particular to win. And the proof is there for all to see.’
Despite overseeing extended and unpopular lockdowns in Melbourne, Mr Andrews won a third consecutive term in the November 26 poll.
Raf Epstein secured Dan Andrews’ first post-election win interview although his show usually has a smaller audience share than Trioli’s in the Melbourne radio ratings
Trioli, 57, has long been considered one of the ABC’s leading journalists on both radio and television.
In 2019 when she took over ABC Radio Melbourne’s Mornings show, she incorrectly declared herself to be the first female presenter of the program.
She is the third woman to host the show, which remains popular.
[ad_2]
Source link
