Question time goes awry

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Press conferences are a frightening experience.

You stand among dozens of other journalists, fighting for the attention of the speaker

And when you finally get to ask a question, there is dead silence. It becomes just you and the speaker. And your voice is broadcast across the country.

I had my first experience of asking a question yesterday. I thought I would give you a run down on how it went.

We were in an outer-suburban park in Perth. Kevin Rudd arrived, and, after a bit of jovial banter with the people in the park, he got ready for his doorstop (journo talk for a press conference).

Rudd usec the first five minutes of his doorstop to announce a new policy. Then came the time for the journalists to ask questions.

Then, all hell broke loose. The journalists all began yelling their questions in unison.

It was up to Rudd to choose who would actually speak. Usually this goes to the loudest person.

It is in this craziness that I decided to try my luck in asking a question.

It took about eight attempts of yelling the question before I was noticed.

It is at this point that I should probably mention what I was planning to ask.

The policy announcement of the day was subsidising dental care. And so my question, at least in my head, was as follows: “Mr Rudd do private dentists charge too much? Could an ALP government regulate charges rather than subsidise overcharging?”

But what came out of my mouth was very different indeed. I was so surprised that Rudd has actually picked me to ask a question that I immediately forgot what I was asking. I was also extreme nervous. 

So this is what I eventually fumbled out: “Mr Rudd getting back to dental … err … do you think private operators … err … um … private dentists, do they charge too much? Will … err … the government …”

It was at this point Rudd cut me off, perhaps to save everyone from the embarrassing spectacle that was unfolding, or perhaps because he didn't like the questions being asked.

Either the way he proceeded to easily and completely dodge my half question with impressive speed. I ended up with nothing apart from a red face.

Still the other journos thought I did ok, I think they are just being nice.