We now know that a wink means ‘happy to proceed’. But what are the other codes that politicians use to communicate with interviewers in the cut and thrust of live talkback radio? Prime Minister Tony Abbott shares his secrets.

“Happy to proceed”

“Let’s just take one more call”

“Can you repeat the caller’s name? It’s a bit of a mouthful”

“I think there are actually two questions there, I’ll take them one at a time”.

“Don’t worry, I can handle this one”

“I think the caller might be on a train going through a tunnel, so this call might cut out”.

“Two sugars thanks”

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