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ABC to anchor election day coverage from Sydney

The West Australian
Jane Norman – who covers Federal politics in Canberra but is originally from Perth – will host the telecast, joined in the Sydney studio by veteran ABC election analyst Anthony Green.
Camera IconJane Norman – who covers Federal politics in Canberra but is originally from Perth – will host the telecast, joined in the Sydney studio by veteran ABC election analyst Anthony Green.

The ABC will anchor its election day coverage from Sydney rather than selecting WA-based staff to perform hosting duties.

The national broadcaster’s Jane Norman – who covers Federal politics in Canberra but is originally from Perth – will host the telecast, joined in the Sydney studio by veteran ABC election analyst Anthony Green.

An ABC spokesperson confirmed to The West that the decision not to fly Green or Norman to WA comes amid fears the return of a hard border could throw the pair into retrospective quarantine for up to two weeks.

It was decided bringing the pair as well as related technical and support staff to Perth 15 days before election day – avoiding the prospect they would be in self-isolation on March 13 – was judged to be too expensive.

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“For the election night coverage ABC WA State political reporter Jacob Kagi will convene the political panel in Perth and our other political reporters will be on the ground, with Eliza Laschon reporting live from the Labor leader’s event and Alisha O’Flaherty from the Liberal leader’s venue,” the ABC spokesperson said.

“Other presenters, such as Antony Green and Jane Norman, will broadcast out of Sydney, because if they travelled to WA we can't guarantee they and other key members of the coverage team wouldn’t get caught if there were any retrospective COVID-19 quarantine orders.”

The ABC will anchor its election day coverage from Sydney rather than selecting WA-based staff to perform hosting duties.
Camera IconThe ABC will anchor its election day coverage from Sydney rather than selecting WA-based staff to perform hosting duties. Credit: JOEL CARRETT/AAPIMAGE

The decision is in keeping with how the ABC chose to cover the recent Northern Territory and Queensland elections.

State political reporter Jacob Kagi will helm a Perth-based panel featuring former Liberal leader Mike Nahan – who is retiring from politics on March 13 – and Police Minister Michelle Roberts.

Kagi will also interview WA politicians and candidates from around the State on the day.

Meanwhile, Channel 7 will broadcast on the day from its Perth studio as well as from Parliament House.

The star-studded panel includes hosts Susannah Carr and Tim McMillan as well as outgoing Treasurer Ben Wyatt, deputy Liberal leader Libby Mettam and Labor rising star Amber-Jade Sanderson.

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