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Laurie Oakes still loves politics

Despite 45 years in journalism, Nine's Laurie Oakes has no plans to quit anytime soon.

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Nine News journalist Laurie Oakes has outlasted many of the politicians he has scrutinised over the years.

But despite 45 years in journalism (where’s his Hall of Fame nomination please?) he has no plans to quit anytime soon.

As he explained to Lateline‘s Leigh Sales last night, he is still energised by a robust political landscape.

LEIGH SALES: Do you ever feel the pressure of being ‘Laurie Oakes’, of having such a big reputation?

LAURIE OAKES: Yeah, yeah, but it’s also a privilege. I mean I, I really, a lot of people trust me and that’s a responsibility and I feel privileged about it. Most people are very nice to me and I like that. I’m really flattered by that. Sometimes I feel a bit worn down by it, but mostly I sort of get on with it, really.

I think I’ve got a pretty clear idea of what I should do, which is just reporting what I see and hear and know and it’s not that complicated.

LEIGH SALES: Kerry O’Brien announced his retirement this year, how will you…

LAURIE OAKES: He hasn’t quite quite retired, he’s back on Four Corners I think (laughs).

LEIGH SALES: (laughs) From the daily journalism. How will you know when it’s time to go, when you’ve had enough?

LAURIE OAKES: I don’t know. I think probably I’ll probably phase myself out slowly, I think. There are some things I don’t do now. I don’t travel overseas with prime ministers anymore because that’s a young person’s game. I mean doing a day’s work in New York, flying overnight and then doing a days work in London I mean…

LEIGH SALES: That’s hardly even a young person’s game (laughs).

LAURIE OAKES: Well I can’t do it anymore, so I’ve given up overseas travel with politicians and you know gradually I’m slowing down a bit. I’m learning to delegate, but I still love it.

More on the interview can be read here.

6 Responses

  3. I also recall his tantrum back in the 1990 election, if my memory serves me well, when he stamped up and down on the ABC logo after having unsuccessfully attempted to have it removed prior to a debate between the PM and opposition leader.

  4. Laurie Oakes is living proof of the gender double standard in the tv industry.

    Any female presenter who was as this bloke is would have disappeared from our screens years ago. I cite the examples of Tracy Spicer and Sue McIntosh, both of whom were still very presentable, but who were removed due their age.

  6. Good interview by Leigh on LateLine last night. It would have been nice to hear about Laurie’s thoughts on Nine News these days and if he’s happy at Nine.

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