Canberra celebrates 25 years for “Bonge”

Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd were invitees but no-shows last night but there were plenty of others ready to celebrate Paul Bongiorno’s 25 years Canberra Press Gallery.

TEN’s National Affairs Editor was nevertheless joined by Wayne Swan, Tony Abbott, Lachlan Murdoch, Hamish McLennan and Members of Parliament and media figures at Parliament House, Canberra.

“It is no exaggeration to say Bonge is an icon of the Australian political reporting profession and the media industry overall,” Mr McLennan said.

“To survive and thrive in journalism, you need to be energetic, thorough, dogged, reliable and fair. You need integrity. And you need a sense of humour. Bonge displays all those characteristics.

“Above all, he is a great storyteller. We are privileged to have had him as part of the TEN News team for more than 30 years and want him to stick around for another 30.”

Network Ten Head of News and Current Affairs, Anthony Flannery, said: “Paul is one of the greats of Australian journalism, dedicating 40 years of his life to the trade, 35 years to TEN and the past quarter century to working in the Press Gallery.

“He has been in the front row of Australian history for the past 25 years reporting on the political events and characters that have shaped this country.

“Paul is held in the highest regard, not only by Network Ten and the TEN News team, but by the many politicians, journalists and crews he has worked with over the years.

“He is also – and most importantly – respected and trusted by the public who depend upon his reporting of those matters which affect their lives.”

TV Tonight talks to Paul Bongiorno.