US AMBUSH

Presidential ambush of Australian Parliament

James Grubel may not be the most high-profile member of the Canberra press gallery, but he's certainly one of the most influential. As chief political correspondent for Australian Associated Press, the national wire service, Grubel's labours are seen and often published by every newspaper in the land. A friendly and diligent journalist, Grubel isn't much prone to hyperbole. But his summary of last week's whirlwind presidential visit is tinged with anger.
"George W. Bush's 21 hours in Australia was more like an American invasion than a visit, particularly as far as the media was concerned," says Grubel.
Several press gallery reporters complained of being disciplined by officials when they struck up conversations with US journalists.
"They tried to keep us apart behind these silly lines, and when an AAP reporter started chatting with an American an official came over and separated them," according to Fleur Anderson from the News Limited bureau. "It was very strange. They were asking, what are you doing? Are you trying to interview the Americans? That's not allowed?"