Laurie Oakes ends 27-year political interviews on television
Formally known as “The Oakes Interview” has signed off and its main man has decided to put down his lapel and no political interviews will be aired regularly on Nine Network every Sundays.
Veteran journalist, Laurie Oakes of Network Nine ended his popular television political program that has been a part of every Australian’s living room for 27 years.
Formally known as “The Oakes Interview” , the political program has signed off and its main man has decided to put down his lapel and no political interviews will be aired regularly on Nine Network every Sundays.
"I've been at it a long time (more than a quarter of a century) and I've decided, in my advanced years, to have a bit of a life,” Laurie Oakes was quoted as telling The Australian Online by The Herald Sun.
Oakes added, "There were no other Sunday morning programs (like this) when we started. Now, of course, there are others.”
The Network Nine political journalist has not discounted however that his followers would still see him on air, just not on a regular basis.
"But it's time to stop, except for when there are special events, like the big interview with the Treasurer on the Sunday before Budget. We'll still do that. But it will be irregular,” Oakes said, according to The Herald Sun.
When asked about some of his favorite interviews, the journalist did not hesitate to name a few.
"The interview with Paul Keating. I'd been sin-binned for about six months and then he agreed to come on, and he got about three front-page stories the next day," Oakes recalled.
His interview with Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi also came out as among his most memorable interviews.
"There had been an assassination attempt on him," Oakes said. "He was gentle. He talked about assassination, the possibility of it. And then, of course, when they succeeded, they played those parts back."
Oakes said he is determined to give himself a break after 27 years of not having normal, ordinary Sundays.
He asserted, "I haven't had a regular weekend for as long as I can remember.”
Oakes departure from the tube came shortly after he was awarded Australian Journalist of the Year last week.
The Herald Sun added that the veteran interviewer Oakes was also recognized for his ‘coverage of the Labor leaks during the federal election campaign’ considered most outstanding piece of journalism last year, landing him the coveted Gold Walkley award for journalist of the year.