“Shambolic” might be just a tad harsh, but this wasn’t the most glamorous performance of all time.
To start with, the media (myself and the reporter from The Pastoral Times) turned up early and noticed that all of the Mayors from the region were out the back of the tourist centre, which is closer to the banks of the river than the front of the centre is (the press release said the press conference would be on the banks of the river) so we waited out there. A small group of locals waited out the front and informed us that Penny and her entourage had come and gone again. I called Penny’s media person who said that she thought the media hadn’t turned up, and said they would “come straight back”.
A few minutes later, Penny Wong, Mike Kelly, a person from Penny’s department and the media rep turned up in a taxi, much to amusement of those who had gathered. Penny was approached by locals with questions both before and after the press conference…she didn’t seem to be interested in answering questions, but instead wanted to palm them off to the bloke from the department. She seemed to have trouble getting away from one of the people who approached her after the press conference.
The press conference itself lasted about five and a half minutes, in which time the media managed to get in three questions, and Penny managed to not quite answer any of them. The press conference was cut short by the media rep who said they were late for a meeting with Murray Irrigation Limited.
The press conference audio is below for your listening pleasure.
[audio:https://samuelgordonstewart.com/wp-content/PennyWongDeniDoorstop20090902.mp3]
Download MP3
I’m reliably informed that the Shepparton media (she’s flying to Shep this afternoon for a 3:45 press conference) will be asking her why she is bothering to visit the region if she won’t answer questions from the locals.
At this stage it looks like Penny’s visit will still be the lead story in the morning, probably containing a number of peoples’ reactions to the flying visit.
Samuel
September 2nd, 2009 at 01:43pm
Apologies for the lateness of this summary this morning. It has been a very busy morning.
As 2QN reported exclusively yesterday afternoon, The federal minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong is making a surprise flying visit to Deniliquin today to meet with local groups and stakeholders, and announce that she is inviting new proposals for water saving initiatives to strengthen Murray-Darling Basin communities.
Whilst her meetings have already been arranged and remain secret, 2QN News has learnt that she will be meeting a select group at the Deni RSL club for 40 minutes to take questions on notice.
Ms. Wong’s office have also confirmed that she will be making an appearance on the shores of the Edward River at the Deni info centre on George Street at 11:35 this morning.
Murray Shire Council held a special meeting yesterday afternoon in which they received a briefing from VicRoads and the RTA about the proposed Echuca-Moama bridge.
Also at the meeting yesterday, the Mayor Brian Sharp and the deputy mayor Graeme Shiells were re-elected unopposed.
Campaspe Shire Council have expressed their delight that local concrete products manufacturer Humes is looking to install world-leading technology at its Echuca plant, to take advantage of the skill-base in the region.
Deputy Leader of the New South Wales opposition, and Shadow Minister for Health Jillian Skinner has called on the New South Wales government to cancel the air ambulance tender process, and ensure the ongoing viability of the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
The RFDS has already lost the air ambulance contract in Victoria after it was put out to tender, taking effect in 2011, and Ms. Skinner is concerned that the same thing could happen in New South Wales.
Dairy Farmers in Northern Victoria are being encouraged to have their say on the future of the dairy industry in the Goulburn Valley at Dairy Australia’s public meeting on Friday.
New South Wales TAFE Teachers have called a 24 hour strike for today over the New South Wales government’s plan to cut staff and increase the work hours of the remaining staff.
The previously postponed annual general meeting of the Tuppal Rural Fire Brigade will be held at the Noorumboon Woolshed at 1:30 this afternoon.
And roadworks are continuing on the Narrandera Flood Channel Bridges over the Murrumbidgee River on the Newell Highway for the next two weeks. The bridge will be reduced to one lane during the works, and delays are expected. Extra delays for wide loads.
At the Deniliquin Badminton Club, In A grade, Toblerone defeated Snickers 10 games 456 to 4 games 372 and Picnic defeated Mars 10 games 448 to 4 games 392.
in Round 11 of Deni Mixed netball, the Thorpedos had their first win of the season, defeating the Avergae Joes 23 to 16. The Easy Beats scored ten goals to one in the final quarter to defeat the Mighty Ducks 29 to 22, and the Titans had a narrow 31 to 28 win over the Magnums.
Samuel
September 2nd, 2009 at 10:17am