JOHANNA GRIGGS
The former Olympic swimmer and TV host reveals she’d be a straight-talking PM
What three things would be at the top of your bucket list?
Swimming with whale sharks off WA, a road trip from Arnhem Land to Broome, and seeing the Northern Lights in person.
What is your guilty pleasure in life?
It would be entertaining family and friends with lots of delicious food and wines. It’s not really a guilty pleasure though, for me … that’s what life is all about.
What was your first casual job?
I worked in the local fruit shop and deli, in the local chemist and managed a chicken store … and I always remember it was surprising they’d given so much responsibility to such a newbie. But I think because I was so tall, they just assumed I was a lot older than I was.
What is the scariest dream you’ve had?
I sometimes wake up in a fright feeling like I was near the edge of a cliff or huge drop which scares the bejesus out of me as I’m scared of heights … but I can never remember any other details.
Have you ever asked a celebrity for a photo or an autograph?
Yannick Noah was the first person I ever asked for an autograph. I saw him on the plane and made a beeline straight for him. I kept that crumpled up piece of paper for years. It’s probably still in an old box somewhere in storage. I never forget how kind and generous he was with his time.
If you were PM for a day, what would be the first and last things you did?
Answer journos’ questions correctly, politely, accurately and succinctly. It’s my bugbear how politicians talk in swings and roundabouts. I’d hope I’d be able to do it till my last day, too … although, that said, I don’t want to be prime minister.
What’s one question do you wish someone would ask you?
Anything about bees. Often they do these days but I’d happily talk about them for hours.
Favourite book?
I recently read Steven Bradbury’s Last Man Standing again and it’s brilliant. We were coming up to the 20-year anniversary of his gold medal winning skate in the 1000m short track speed skating in Salt Lake. There’s so much more to his story than those iconic four races.
What’s the ugliest part of the body?
Knee caps are, I guess, not particularly attractive, but I try to look for the beauty
in everything.
Do you have any irrational fears?
Heights. I’m completely and utterly terrified of heights, and I’m a horrid passenger in a car. I hate going fast, and I often use the pretend brake on the passenger side.