“I’m just wondering how our interview request is going?” *crickets*

You’ve probably seen the PM interviewed on the TV or heard him on the radio over the past week.

We know that he does interviews. He talks to people all the time. All sorts of people.

Tony Abbott does interviews, see?

And he does interviews on all sorts of important issues.

Now, we know he’s a busy man. And he probably gets a lot of interview requests.

But over the past 18 months, he’s turned down every single one of Mamamia’s requests for interview.

Every single one.

We’re trying not to take it personally.

We’re trying not to take it personally.

So when the Government made an announcement about family violence for International Women’s Day, we thought we should request an interview with the PM and the opposition leader.

Because four million women a month read Mamamia, – and one in three women will experience violence in their lifetime – so we knew they’d be interested in hearing about what’s being done to protect women and children.

Over the last few weeks we have attempted to reach out to the PM’s Press Office to get a response on our interview request.

We sent a letter.

Plus:

5 x phone calls.

16 x emails.

1 x haiku.

2 x photos of a mailbox.

1 x Richard Marx video (it was “Right Here Waiting” because his dulcet tones are undeniable.)

After that first letter, we were told that someone would get back to us. But since then, we’ve not even received an acknowledgement or holding response or anything at all.

At this stage, we’d be happy if someone got back to us with an out-of-office reply.

Click through for a gallery of our attempts to contact the PM’s Press Office over the few weeks (post continues after the gallery)

Dear PM, we'd love to interview you....

Requesting an interview with the PM: One woman's journey.

I was so polite and full of optimism.

Requesting an interview with the PM: One woman's journey.

And so professional.

Requesting an interview with the PM: One woman's journey.

Just following up...

Requesting an interview with the PM: One woman's journey.

And another follow up

Requesting an interview with the PM: One woman's journey.

Maybe they're just busy?

Requesting an interview with the PM: One woman's journey.

Getting a bit concerned.

Requesting an interview with the PM: One woman's journey.

Hmm...maybe he's on holidays.

Requesting an interview with the PM: One woman's journey.

Maybe he thinks we're no longer interested. I'd better check.

Requesting an interview with the PM: One woman's journey.

Maybe a poem will entice them.

Requesting an interview with the PM: One woman's journey.

An acrostic! Who could say no to an acrostic?

Requesting an interview with the PM: One woman's journey.

Bringing out the big guns.

Requesting an interview with the PM: One woman's journey.

How's my interview request?

Requesting an interview with the PM: One woman's journey.

I'll admit it was discouraging.

Requesting an interview with the PM: One woman's journey.

Maybe if we were friends?

Requesting an interview with the PM: One woman's journey.

Perhaps if they're not interested in helping me with my interview, maybe they could help me with my other problems.

Requesting an interview with the PM: One woman's journey.

#letterboxproblems

Requesting an interview with the PM: One woman's journey.

My emails and calls aren't getting through. So this was the obvious next step.

So, that’s it.

That’s why you don’t hear from Tony Abbott on Mamamia.

It’s not because of some leftist conspiracy. We’re not in cahoots with North Korea.

The PM just ignores our calls.

And our emails.

And our haikus.

AND OUR RICHARD MARX.

You won’t hear from our Prime Minister on Mamamia because Tony Abbott is not interested in speaking to the millions of Australian women who read this website. Despite being the self-appointed Minister For – wait….what is it again? – OH THAT’S RIGHT. WOMEN.

Even if he’s not interested in talking to Australian women, it’s exceedingly poor form not to respond to correspondence or interview requests.

In the meantime, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten responded to our request and sat down with our Editor in Chief, Jamila Rizvi to talk about ending violence against women in this country.

Here:  Bill Shorten talks exclusively to Mamamia about ending family violence.

We’ve got to ask – does the PM have a problem with talking to the four million monthly readers of Mamamia? Or does he have a problem talking about family violence?

You will have to make up your own mind…

 What do you think? Would you like to hear from the PM on this or other issues?