Anger, conspiracies, insults – and that’s just the pollies. Why I put Basil on the air (and keep bringing him back)

One of the first things I did when taking the helm of 6PR’s Mornings program in November 2022 was to propose a weekly segment with City of Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas.

He would be engaging, often in the news, sometimes controversial and listeners would gain regular access to a senior public figure prepared to take talkback calls. A rarity.

Perth Lord Mayor – and Liberal candidate for Churchlands – Basil Zempilas.

There was also the very real prospect of Zempilas diving into a career in state politics with the Liberal Party, which was something Labor heavyweights told me would happen after the 2021 election carpet-bombing of once-safe Liberal seats, including the blue-blooded bastion of Nedlands.

“You watch, they’ll turn to Basil,” Rita Saffioti predicted.

For all the reasons above, the idea of a “Mayor on Air” segment was a no-brainer.

All I had to do was convince Zempilas, who knew nothing about my plan.

Given his visible and financial ties to the Seven Network – the arch-rival of 6PR’s parent company Nine Entertainment – I expected the energetic sports broadcaster-turned-local-government-leader might have to jump through some hoops to make the segment a reality.

Nevertheless, a few days after floating the proposition, Zempilas agreed and has been a potent ingredient of the morning program since the end of 2022.

Why have I provided this background?

Because what I failed to do was foresee the anger, the conspiracy theories and the insults that have come my way as a result of having Zempilas live on 6PR each week.

Not from the public, but from government operatives, Labor insiders and one-eyed supporters of the dominant party in WA.

They are all apoplectic that the lord mayor has a regular opportunity to discuss and debate the affairs of city and state.

Even some friends of mine with strong Labor leanings – and who know I’ve never shown fear or favour to either side of politics – are miffed that the lord mayor has a weekly segment.

And this curious carry-on was happening well before Zempilas became the Liberal candidate for Churchlands.

It’s as though the very comfortable political status quo could be under threat. How dare you, 6PR? How could you, Gary?

“Congratulations on your hard-hitting interview with Basil,” said one very high-profile Labor stalwart in a text message last week.

“You are bound to get a Walkley for fearless journalism.”

Apart from the obvious sarcasm the text included a devil emoji. Yes, it had horns.

I did wonder whether the former government minister had sent a similar barb to the daily newspaper in Perth, which gives Zempilas a free kick each week via a column. Doubt it.

Surprisingly, the text was directed at me after I had found audio from parliament of retiring Labor MP Bill Johnston giving a blistering assessment about the opposition.

He questioned the future of Liberal leader Libby Mettam, and I played the clip to Zempilas on air.

“The member for Vasse, perhaps wants to be premier, but she will not be the leader of the Liberal Party at the election,” Johnston taunted.

“She is only the current leader of the Liberal Party. There is somebody who is not a member of parliament who is arrogantly telling people that he will be the leader of the Liberal Party.”

Zempilas responded by dishing it up to Johnston. That’s how talkback radio works. I don’t expect a Walkley, but I thought educated people would understand that you put a question to someone on radio and then they get to reply.

Which side of the political fence they’re from doesn’t matter.

“It’s a regular segment,” I explained to my sardonic text sender. “The premier should do one.”

“He would if he could be guaranteed the kid gloves you keep for Basil,” came the return fire.

I’m sure Roger Cook wouldn’t agree with his old cabinet colleague’s summation of his fortitude.

Nothing can or will ever be guaranteed when it comes to talkback radio.

I guarantee it.

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