If this story was a Sarah Ferguson interview you’d already be on the back foot, equivocating.

Filling in for Leigh Sales on the ABC’s 7.30 during her maternity leave, the Four Corners reporter has proven to be a formidable interviewer of politicians. With her clipped tone and forensic attitude to enquiry, Ferguson has been a notable success, engaging with and grilling politicians with a non-nonsense manner that strives for a clear answer even if they’re intent on not giving one.

"It's very important that you're in charge not least because [politicians] are so skilful," she told Fairfax Media in the lead up to her final show.

Some viewers are calling her the best interviewer in the country. "That's silly," she says. "I did OK for a beginner, I'm just getting the hang of it."