It’s time: A legend bows out
STEALING former prime minister Gough Whitlam’s 1972 election slogan, Nine News veteran Laurie Oakes confirmed his retirement from journalism yesterday, telling colleagues and fans: “It’s time.”
The 73-year-old Canberra stalwart will farewell the federal press gallery on August 18, after dropping a long list of political bombshells in an unparalleled 50-year media career.
Looming large in substance and style since joining Nine in 1984, the News Corp columnist was praised by peers and political rivals as arguably the most consistent TV newsbreaker in the medium’s history.
His most recent exclusive – breaking protocol to report on Malcolm Turnbull’s parody of US President Donald Trump at the Press Gallery’s midwinter ball – made headlines around the world and sparked a debate about doing what Oakes does best: revealing what politicians don’t want you to know.
In a memo to staff, the network’s news boss, Darren Wick, paid tribute to Oakes. “He’s a father figure to the Canberra bureau team and a ferocious defender whenever they’ve come under attack,” Mr Wick said.
“Many a politician and their minder have been sent from the bureau with tails between legs after foolishly daring to challenge the veracity of a report.”
Some of the biggest scoops in political reporting carried Oakes’ byline.
Dropping the 1980 Federal Budget in its entirety before the Government’s then treasurer John Howard delivered it was a highwater mark, with Mr Howard nicknaming him “the Budget Burglar”.
A multiple Walkley Award winner, including the Gold Walkley in 2010 and Logies Hall of Fame inductee a year later, Oakes was labelled a “a living legend” by Wick.